LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Whitney Davis was nominated by a family member, Quessie Holmes.

As the family liaison at a high-needs school, Ms. Davis has a unique perspective on the challenges facing the children and families she serves. Born prematurely at less than three pounds, she battled for her life from the very beginning. She required years of intensive medical treatment and therapy, including a shunt in her brain, and was expected to suffer permanent disabilities. Her health hardships were further complicated by growing up in a single-parent household with financial struggles. However, she and her family persevered, and today, she is a success story and a role model for the students and families she impacts daily at the Rawlings Center for the Fine Arts.

"I was in an ESE (Exceptional Student Education) class in elementary school, and I tell the students and their parents that being an ESE student doesn't mean you can't learn," Davis shared. "It just means you need extra help. I tell them I was there myself."

Rawlings principal Dr. Stella Arduser praised Ms. Davis's ability to connect with students, stating, "Ms. Whitney has the gift of understanding the most difficult and struggling students. They feel seen and valued by her. She also helps educators see the brilliance in our children, just as people throughout her life have done for her. She never saw or thought of herself as being disabled."

As a family liaison, Ms. Davis collaborates with administration and staff to develop interventions and service plans for high-needs students and their families. In addition to the wraparound services offered at school, she provides families with information on community resources and helps them access those services. Her office is stocked floor-to-ceiling with clothing, shoes, snacks, and other donated supplies to ensure students have what they need.

"My heart goes out to all children and families who are experiencing things like homelessness and hunger," Davis said. "I try to make sure they have what they need because I know what it's like to go through some of those things."

Her efforts extend beyond her office—she greets students and family members daily, works alongside struggling students in the classroom, and calls parents when a child is absent to ensure they have the support needed to attend school.

"She goes above and beyond to ensure we reach and teach," said Arduser. "This is her life's work, and the troubles she faced since birth could not stop her from doing that work."

Ms. Davis continues pushing forward, pursuing her bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Her ultimate goal is to have her own classroom where she can continue making a difference in the lives of children.