Carman’s Karla Davis (nee Froebe) has been a teacher for several decades, and her career has taken her worldwide.
Davis has taught in Oak Bluff, Calgary, and Millarville, Alberta, and at the American International Schools in Harare, Zimbabwe, and Johannesburg, South Africa. She is currently serving as principal at the Millarville Community School.
Davis was born in Carman and graduated from Carman Collegiate. She then earned her Bachelor of Arts and Education degrees at the University of Manitoba before pursuing her Master’s degree at the University of Calgary.
Davis taught in Oak Bluff before moving to Alberta. She has taught and been an administrator in the Foothills School Division in Alberta for 19 years. However, at one point, she left for two years to teach at the Harare International School (Zimbabwe). Then, a few years later, she left again to teach at the American International School of Johannesburg (South Africa).
“I worked in international schools in Africa for the experience, and I just loved working internationally. It gave me a more global perspective, I think. I loved Africa as it truly gets in your blood.”
“My best memory of Johannesburg was when a cheetah was brought to the school. We were allowed to pet it, but we were told not to run while around the cheetah. It was a beautiful creature.”
Now back in Alberta, Davis has loved working at her new school, Millarville Community School, where she has been the teaching principal since 2022.
“We are an International Baccalaureate school from Kindergarten to Grade 8, and it is the best place to learn with kids,” said Davis. “I was an administrator in the morning and taught Grade 5 in the afternoon until the last few months when I was an administrator all day. I was always the principal, though, even when teaching. I still like to do some teaching while being an administrator as I think it makes you more relevant.”
Davis was recently recognized with the 2024 Celebrating Alberta’s School Leaders Distinguished Leadership Award, which is handed out annually to Alberta principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students in the province.
Although Davis lives and works in Alberta now, she still finds time to return home to Manitoba as much as she can.
“I still get back to Carman as much as I can to visit my dad and family, at least twice a year,” said Davis. “And my dad also visits us a lot in Alberta, which is great.”
