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By Mandy Haggerson 

For the Clemmons Courier

Lisa Davis is gearing up for the 2023-2024 school year as the principal of Morgan Elementary.

Davis began her leadership position in April of 2023. She reflected on being a student and the life experiences that helped prepare her for the principal role.

“I was very lucky to have a great friend group, especially at West Forsyth High School,” Davis said. “Our circle of friends was affectionately referred to as the ‘Get Along Gang’ because another peer observed how we always supported each other. Having that solid group of women was particularly meaningful, and we stay in touch to this day.”

When Davis was considering where to attend college, she selected the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). After two years, she transferred to Appalachian State University to complete her undergraduate degree.

“Five of my really good friends went there, and I knew that I wanted to be a teacher,” Davis said. “It was in college that I really developed my confidence. I had a professor that really believed and encouraged me to continue my journey of becoming a teacher. My professor really ignited my passion to do great things for my future students. During that time, I also had my son, Cole (29).”

After graduating, Davis taught in Catawba County for a year before returning home.

“I really loved the elementary age to teach,” Davis said. “I knew I wanted to continue teaching that age. I also knew first-hand the impact a good teacher has on a student’s confidence and choices in life. I wanted to further my education to be able to make an impact too. I received my master’s degree at UNCG.”

Aside from confirming her professional choices, Davis found that her personal ones were in sync. Davis met her future husband, Spencer, when she was at the wedding of one of her close friends from the Get Along Gang, Melissa Forbes.

“We got married three years after meeting at Melissa’s wedding,” Davis said. “Cole was promoted to big brother when we had his sisters, Ashlyn (20) and Juliana (17).”

“As the kids got older, I went from teaching part-time fourth and fifth graders to teaching full-time at Vienna Elementary School,” Davis said. “I absolutely loved it. The teachers, administration, students and their families that I got to work with were amazing. I spent 23 years at Vienna, teaching and for part of that time in the role as assistant principal. Then, I went to Lewisville Middle School when they opened up to help them on their administration team. I didn’t want to be a principal until the timing was right for my family. It’s tough being a working mom, and I wanted to wait until they were older.”

Davis was presented with the perfect opportunity when the time was right. Taking the helm at Morgan Elementary School last spring, Davis is excited to make a difference.

“As elementary teachers, we have the privilege of working with students for six years — the longest in their educational journey,” Davis said. “We have so much power and so much responsibility to make sure that they know that we would do anything for them and that we hold high expectations for them to grow and learn. Sometimes it just takes that one person to point it out. My goal is for every single student to tap into their potential regardless of what adversity they have to overcome.”

With over 700 students, Davis reflects on what the school’s namesake was most known for.

“I always heard that Frank Morgan had a huge heart and high expectations,” Davis said. “We are lucky to have an invested PTA, staff and administration that want to continue on that legacy. I’m a faithful person. I know that it all starts with love.”