Dorris Intermediate School Assistant Principal Leah Davis has been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) as a recipient of the Award of Meritorious Service in the School Administrator category through its Those Who Excel/Teacher of the Year program. The announcement was made on February 11, 2026.
The ISBE’s Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards honor individuals who have made significant contributions to schools across Illinois. The awards are given in six categories: classroom teachers, early career educators, school administrators, student support personnel, educational service personnel, and community volunteers.
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders stated, “Illinois educators show up for students every day with commitment, creativity and care. The 2026 Those Who Excel awardees and Teacher of the Year cohort represent the very best of our profession. Their work strengthens school communities and helps ensure students feel supported, valued and inspired. Congratulations to each of this year’s honorees. We are grateful for the difference you make in the lives of students across Illinois.”
Leah Davis was nominated by several colleagues from Collinsville Community Unit School District 10 (CUSD 10), which serves Madison and St. Clair counties and includes schools such as Dorris Intermediate School, Collinsville High School, and others according to data from the Illinois Report Card. The district enrolled over 6,000 students during the 2019-2020 school year and serves grades pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.
In their nominations, colleagues highlighted Davis’s leadership skills, professionalism, focus on equity for all students, innovative thinking, and dedication to supporting both students and families.
Principal Kevin Strinaman described Davis’s background: “Prior to becoming an administrator, Mrs. Davis served as a 6th-grade general education teacher and a special education inclusion teacher. In that capacity, she became an expert at making all students feel welcomed and valued in the classroom. She also served on the district curriculum council, playing an integral role in the adoption of multiple district-wide curriculum resources. Her expertise in this area led her to become a school-based trainer, and it continues to inform her work as she evaluates language arts staff and engages in meaningful, performance-based conversations with teachers.
In addition, Mrs. Davis has been a driving force in strengthening our school’s family and community engagement efforts. When data from the 5Essentials Survey indicated that some families felt disconnected from the school, Mrs. Davis took action. She developed a monthly family engagement calendar, creating events that bring families into the building and helping DIS develop a more welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. Our most recent survey results reflect significant improvement in how families view their partnership with the school.”
Alison Underwood, Director of Special Education for CUSD 10 said: “Mrs. Davis’s collaborative and caring leadership style has also been evident in her work with students and families. As the administrator responsible for all 6th-grade disciplinary matters, she approaches each situation as an opportunity to teach and guide students while maintaining firm expectations for behavior. Her ability to communicate with parents, often in challenging situations, is consistently professional, compassionate and solutions-focused. The way she handles these conversations reflects positively on both DIS and the education profession as a whole.
Through her daily actions Ms. Davis models the best of what it means to be an educator and leader. She embodies integrity compassion,and a tireless commitment to excellence,upliftingthe imageoftheeducationprofessionineveryinteractionwithstudentsstaffandfamilies.Ms.Davis’scalmleadershipforward-thinkingmindsetandcollaborativespiritmakeheraninspirationtoallwhohavetheprivilegeofworkingalongsideher.”
Corina Hamilton,a Title I Teacher at Dorris Intermediate School,wrote:“Leah has a true passion for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)and Positive Behavioral Interventionsand Supports(PBIS).Herworkintheseareashastransformedtheschoolclimateensuringstudentsfamiliesandstafffeelsupportedvaluedandequippedwiththeskillstheyneedtosucceedacademicallyandsocially.Sheapproacheschallengeswithaproblem-solvingmindsetalwaysthinkingoutsidetheboxtocreateeffectiveandsustainablesolutions.
Equally important Leah is deeply committed to supporting her colleagues.She fosters collaboration provides encouragementandmodelsfairnessineverydecision.Studentsknowherassomeonewhoisbothconsistentandcompassionatebalancinghighexpectationswithcareandunderstanding.
LeahDavis isaleaderwhobringsvisionheart,andinnovationtoeverything shedoes.HerpassionforSELandPBIScombinedwithherproblem-solvingskillsorganizationalexpertise,andunwavering supportforstaffandstudentsmakehertrulydeservingofrecognitionasoneofIllinois’outstandingeducators.”
According tothe Illinois Report Card, CUSD10 employs418teachers earninganaveragesalaryof$60 ,392;81percentarewomen,and19percentaremen.Thedistrictis56percentWhite ,14 .1percentBlack ,24 .1percentHispanic ,and0 .5percentAsian .In2020,CUSD10spent$16 ,872perstudent,totalingover$104million.Chronictruancyratesintheschooldistrictweresignificantlylowerthanstateaverageat3 .1percentcomparedtothestatewideaverageof9 .6percent .
