Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Davies 

As my time at Kenmore West is winding down, I thought it would be appropriate to write an article on the teacher who has had the most positive impact on me in all of Kenmore West, Mr. Paul Davies. In the earlier part of May, I had the pleasure of sitting down and interviewing Mr. Davies, one of Kenmore West’s most interesting Social Studies teachers, a punk rock fanatic, and the man who makes the yearbook come together each year. 

Before this interview begins, I would like to personally thank Mr. Davies. My time in his Social Studies class in 8th grade was one of the key factors that sparked my interest in social studies and history, the latter being one of my majors I chose going into college next year. The way he structured his class allowed us students to engage in discussions about important topics in the world respectfully and civilly, which are skills I highly value today and will use throughout the rest of my life. When I was uncertain whether or not I should take AP World History going into ninth grade, Mr. Davies strongly encouraged me to do so and recommended me for the course, which has ultimately led to me taking and passing numerous AP and IB courses throughout my years at Kenmore West. I tie a significant portion of my academic evolution back to Mr. Davies, so I would like to thank him a million times for doing so. 

Mr. Davies has been teaching in Kenton and Buffalo Public Schools for a total of 29 years, most of which have been spent teaching 7th and 8th graders. His wife is also a teacher, teaching Kindergarten at Hoover Elementary School. Similarly to me, Mr. Davies credits his interest in social studies and history to his 8th-grade Social Studies teacher. Although he loves teaching, it was not his first career. Prior to becoming the best 8th-grade Social Studies teacher at Kenmore West, Mr. Davies was an archaeologist, studying human history in multiple different areas around the country. One day, Mr. Davies was presented with an opportunity to visit a school and teach children about a Native American archaeological site he and his crew were working on at the time. It was during this visit that Mr. Davies discovered that teaching would be a good fit for him and something that he could picture himself doing until retirement. 

Before teaching at Kenmore West, Mr. Davies taught in the city of Buffalo, Hoover Middle, and Kenmore East, then moved to Kenmore Middle, where he would teach until it was repurposed in 2016. It was when 8th graders moved to Kenmore West that Mr. Davies also started teaching at West. During his time at Kenmore West, the thing Mr. Davies likes most is the ability to get to know students. Mr. Davies enjoys seeing the human, non-academic side of students and providing them with advice on pretty much anything if they need it. If he could pick another thing he likes about Kenmore West, Mr. Davies would choose the number of opportunities present at our school. He thinks a lot of kids take for granted these opportunities our school has to offer, including the IB program, AP classes, our wonderful theatre program, having yearbook as a class students can take for credit (which you should totally join), and a nine-period schedule, which allows students to fit more classes and possibilities to learn into their schedules. As a teacher, Mr. Davies stays inspired by current events.  He enjoys tying them into historical events so students can understand the background behind modern-day issues. He hopes students can take away the values of respect and treating people properly from his classes. A fellow Ken-Ton teacher whom Mr. Davies is inspired by is Mrs. Halt; Mr. Davies thinks she is the best teacher in Ken-Ton (besides his wife, of course). Mrs. Halt’s knowledge about the subject she teaches and the care she shows for students are traits all teachers should attempt to emulate. 

When I asked Mr. Davies which historical fact he wished all students knew, he said he wished all students knew that the Great Depression could have been far worse than it was, and if President Franklin Roosevelt had not been the leader of the U.S. at the time, the country would have likely floundered. When asked what he would want to be remembered for, Mr. Davies responded, "absolutely nothing.” Mr. Davies went on to explain that he thinks this because when he leaves Kenmore West, someone will inevitably replace him and should receive the same type of recognition and attention as he gets. Mr. Davies believes that this is important because “everyone needs to realize that no single person is more important than anyone else.” 

Something Mr. Davies would like to see improved before he retires is Ken West students' interest in the history of our school and district. He would like to see students have more knowledge about our school, not only historically but also about the opportunities Kenmore West provides to its students. Finally, when asked; “How does having students create the yearbook increase student life and participation in school?” Mr. Davies responded, “Students need to have a say in their daily life.”  He believes that Yearbook allows students to at least have a say in how that short time of their life will be remembered. Classes like Yearbook, music, or art allow students to express themselves and indicate what they want their school to be like. Not everyone has to be an athlete or a scholar. These other classes allow for a wider range of participation and, in many ways, can have a more lasting impact on the school. Join Yearbook to help make the next edition of The Kenitorial great!