Courtesy of Mike Davey
Mike Davey and Molly Davey at Pont du Gard, France this summer.As history teacher Mike Davey walked down the picturesque halls of the Louvre in Paris this past summer, he gazed admiringly at the paintings by the Neoclassical French painter Jacques-Louis David. Stopping in front of the “Tennis Court Oath,” Davey carefully noted details from the painting to include in his lectures on the French Revolution.
Davey, who teaches world history, college prep U.S. history and MAP AP U.S. History, is the second-longest-serving teacher at the school; he has been teaching here since 1992.
As a co-founder of the MAP program, he strives for interactive learning by implementing activities such as historical simulations and in-class debates. He was recognized as the 2012-2013 district Teacher of the Year and named a NBC All-Star Teacher Finalist, reflecting upon his innovative teaching style, which includes describing his travels in his lessons.
A testament to what he teaches, Davey enjoys traveling to learn more about history and culture, emphasizing the importance of understanding societal differences. He also travels for a more personal reason — to relax.
“[The best parts of traveling are] the history, customs and people. I think travel breaks down the world — you get to see what people are like and taste what they’re eating,” Davey said. “When I’m stressed, making travel guides calms me, and I envision myself going to these places.”
In his travels, he has driven across the entire country and visited Yellowstone twice. Over summers, he sometimes travels to Europe, visiting countries such as France, England and Austria.
Though he is passionate about it, he admits it is an expensive hobby to travel. In the first 6-8 weeks of summer, Davey coaches basketball and works other jobs, continually working almost as hard as he does during the school year. The 2-3 weeks he travels, however, are rewarding.
Davey always has a hard time choosing when asked about his most memorable travel experience. He remembered the awe and wonder in seeing the sites of ancient civilizations of southern France, along with creating lifelong friendships overseas. Last summer, he visited the scenic Pont du Gard in France, an ancient Roman aqueduct built in the early first century C.E.
“It’s just amazing, seeing the perspectives in ancient caves, where people drew things up on stilts,” Davey said. “And then there’s the people too — I’ve made a lifelong friend in France. We still communicate 2-3 times a week.”
For students, Davey recommends taking a gap year after high school to work and travel, noting that students can gain valuable experiences that will alter their perspective and give them deep understanding.
“Not enough students [take a gap year]. The ones who have all say it was revolutionary for them,” Davey said. “I would travel — backpack in Europe, get on a train, get a EuroRail pass and explore areas without even knowing where you’re going to stay for the night. You can still do that in Europe; I would totally do that before college.”
