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Enola Cook Davis reflects on about 60 years at Stephen Manor Child Development Center
Summary
Enola Cook Davis, who identified herself as a staff member at Stephen Manor Child Development Center, recounted roughly 60 years in early childhood work, describing how a principal helped her join Head Start and emphasizing home visits and parent engagement.
Enola Cook Davis introduced herself at a community gathering and said she works at Stephen Manor Child Development Center, recounting roughly 60 years in early childhood education. "My name is Enola Cook Davis," she said, and later: "I work at Stephen Manor Child Development Center."
Davis said she first learned about Head Start from a small neighborhood school and that a principal who came to her home encouraged her to join the program. She described the principal arranging for her to come to the elementary school and helping her begin her career in child development. "He said, I want you to work," she recalled.
She told the group she sometimes could not attend workshops because of childcare needs and that the program provided money for babysitting to support staff participation. Davis emphasized working closely with parents, saying staff would sometimes visit homes and spend time getting to know families so they understood the children who came to school.
Davis described continuing her education locally from kindergarten through junior college and taking extra classes beyond requirements. She said one memorable child — whom she called George — preferred that name despite what was written on his card, and Davis recounted asking his grandfather to confirm it. "My name is George," she remembered the child saying.
Renee, who identified herself as the head teacher at the child-development site, praised Davis’s long service and familiarity across local sites, calling her "the child development queen" and noting that many site managers and head teachers have worked with her. "Enola, 60 years is a big deal," Renee said.
The conversation dwelt on personal memories, program supports for staff and the importance of family engagement; no formal action or policy decision was recorded in the exchange. Colleagues closed by encouraging Davis to continue: "Hang in there," one said.
This account is based solely on remarks recorded in the transcript; the meeting did not include votes or formal agenda actions related to the topics Davis discussed.
