Yuvonka Davis, principal of the Pre-K Center in Snow Hill, was selected as the 2018-19 Greene County Schools Principal of the Year. Photo by Rudy Coggins / Neuse News

SNOW HILL - A mother of three rambunctious boys and wife to an on-the-go senator, Yuvonka Davis is used to rising early in the morning.

Oh, but her day has just begun.

Once she exchanges hugs and kisses, Davis prepares to meet another "family" - a vivacious group of 3- and 4-year-olds eager to make their own mark in the world at the Pre-K Center.

It's a role Davis relishes.

"Very lively, energetic, fun place to be," said Davis, the newly-minted Greene County Principal of the Year for 2018-19.

Davis also won the award in 2015-16.

"It is truly an honor to be selected as the principal of the year for Greene County Schools," Davis said. "There's a lot of wonderful principals here in this district, so I don't take this honor lightly. Any one of my colleagues could have been chosen.

"I think we all do an outstanding job for the children and families here in Greene County."

A native of Greene County, Davis earned her associate's degree in Early Childhood Education from Lenoir Community College. She worked her way up the ladder in the GCS system for a number of years, obtained her kindergarten certification and eventually gained a master's degree in school administration and supervision from East Carolina University.

Davis has been the Pre-K Center principal for seven years.

Unlike a traditional K-12 setting, Davis doesn't have a support staff and handles many components of the school throughout the day. She works diligently to know the children and their families, and help connect them to various resources when they need assistance.

Teachers throughout the 10-classroom facility work with children on their social/development skills. They learn how to self-regulate, how to follow rules, how to interact with other people and how to take turns.

Pre-K is totally about playing - being hands-on, moving around and there is usually lots of noise. Children learn math, science, house keeping, cooking, writing and art through a variety of methods.

Davis said it's important for children to be creative and express themselves.

"There is a literacy-rich environment throughout the center," Davis said. "For many of these children, it's their first entry into school. Pre-K is not a requirement. Once they start, you start. It's kind of like school.

"We can either make or break how they feel or how their families feel about school here at the Pre-K Center."

The rewards?

Davis hasn't missed a graduation at Greene Central (her alma mater) and the Greene County Early College High School in two-plus decades. Many of those students graced the classrooms at the Pre-K Center, and constantly thank Davis whenever they see her in public.

"I know that we're making a tremendous difference in the lives of these young children," Davis said. "They're in a safe environment during the day. They're getting lots of love. We're giving them that academic exposure.

"It's fun."

Spoken like a true mom.