McCoy and Hersey Win Davis Awards for Excellence in Teaching

This year’s winners of the Davis Award for Excellence in Teaching are Annetta McCoy, PE instructor, for Middle School, and Greg Hersey, Director of Instrumental Music, for Upper School. The awards were presented at the end of year faculty and staff luncheon May 25. 

Annetta McCoy has been a part of the Episcopal community for more than 20 years. Despite her long tenure, she continually brings new activities and programming to the PE classroom. She has coached Middle School volleyball camp for decades and is a co-sponsor of Middle School student government, she always volunteers for additional field trips, and she takes full advantage of professional development opportunities. Her nomination by a peer stated, “Annetta has great classroom management and always conducts activity duty with a great deal of organization and openness to work with others. She continues to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students, not just for those who are in her classroom. Her classes are filled with music to stimulate and excite her students and she appears to truly care about her student’s well-being, in and outside of the classroom. She has always gone above and beyond what she is asked for as a teacher, coach, and friend.” Other nominations stated, “She is immersed in the world of middle school and seems to enjoy every minute of it. It is a privilege to work with such a positive colleague” and “Episcopal is a better place because of people like Annetta.” 

Greg Hersey, who has taught instrumental music for eight years in the Fine Arts Department, was nominated for growing the instrumental music program, adding the pep band which plays at athletic events, chaperoning mission trips and working with student government as well as his professional achievements to grow as a musician and teacher. “Greg has created a welcoming culture within his classroom. His room is constantly full of advisees studying or students practicing. His room is inviting and full of energy….honestly, it’s the “cool” place to be on campus where many students have found a home. There is always something positive happening.” Greg “contributes so much to our school community with concerts and programming. Our students are enriched when they are a part of the band program and Greg makes a lasting impression. He’s the right mix of approachable and professional,” stated another nomination, and “Greg teaches beyond his years. He has elevated the musicianship of each student. He has a clear curriculum and the students are always so well prepared for performances.Greg is an elite artist and can perform any genre of music. He models for the students, as well as assists any groups needing percussion on campus.”

Established in 1992, the Davis Awards for Excellence in Teaching are presented each year to selected Episcopal School of Jacksonville teachers who personify quality in their teaching and in their influence on student learning; who consistently and unselfishly go above and beyond normal expectations of time, energy and devotion in working with students; who demonstrate the rare ability to motivate students to higher and higher levels of achievement; and who have consistently made use of opportunities for continuing education to improve themselves professionally. This award is intended to inspire all Episcopal teachers to pursue uncompromising excellence and caring in the classroom. To be eligible to receive the Davis Award for Excellence in Teaching, a teacher must have been a member of the faculty for three years and must be returning the following year.  At least one award each year must be awarded to a teacher whose primary focus is the Middle School.