Danbury Educator Named CT's Elementary School Principal Of The Year

DANBURY, CT — Keshia Smith-Davis, principal of Great Plain Elementary School in Danbury, has been named the Connecticut Association of Schools' 2023 Elementary School Principal of the Year.

Smith-Davis began her career as a public school educator in New York and Virginia before joining Danbury Public Schools in 2004 in her current capacity at Great Plain.

During her tenure, the school has been honored regularly. In 2022, Great Plain Elementary School received the National Blue-Ribbon Award for "closing the achievement gap." Between 2018 and 2020, Great Plain was in the top 10 percent statewide for student growth and performance, and was also named a Connecticut School of Distinction.

"Culture, climate, a change in mindset, and believing you, the principal, are responsible for moving the school is very important," Smith-Davis said in a statement released Monday. "If you do not believe you are the change agent for the school, nothing will change.”

Smith-Davis attributes much of her students’ success to the relationships she and her staff develop with parents, according to a news release.

"Parents want to do what is best for their children and are always willing to commit time to their child’s education," Smith-Davis said.

Smith-Davis reviews student data and information with the staff, student, and parent community. Parents receive regular progress monitoring updates as well as materials and online activities from their homeroom teachers to promote learning.

“I could not have done this without the support of our loving and caring Parent Teacher Organization, Great Plain staff, and students. Oftentimes, they will purchase online activities and books for our students to read during the summer,” Smith-Davis said.

Superintendent Kevin Walston said, "In addition to being an amazing educator, Dr. Smith-Davis is a warm, engaging individual who is inclusive and consistently leads by example."

Karen Packtor, Deputy Executive Director of CAS, also praised Smith-Davis, saying, “The 2023 Elementary Principal of the Year is a fitting tribute to a woman who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and an unrivaled commitment to her students, school, and community.”