ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, September 30, 1996 TAG: 9610010098
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: NF-3 EDITION: METRO
As a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, Joy Davis has the opportunity to incorporate her love for children with a passion for language.
Another thing she likes about the job she's had for 16 years is that she gets to teach two languages - English and sign.
"As I've helped my children understand the structure of language, it's helped me appreciate our language and it's helped me learn about myself," said Davis, one of three teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing at Roanoke's Virginia Heights.
"I like being on the cutting edge of what's happening in my profession," Davis said. "I'm a motivated person, so I like to constantly be learning."
"Joy Davis is an exceptional educator of deaf students," said her nominator. "She is a model and mentor for many other teachers."
A deaf suitemate at Carson-Newman College in Tennessee inspired Davis ' choice of careers. She graduated from the University of Virginia and received her master's from Virginia Tech.
Married and the mother of two daughters, Davis enjoys singing, playing the piano, reading and playing with her cat, Smudgy.
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Joy Davis, Deaf and hard of hearing, Virginia Heightsby CNBElementary School