Elevate: Senchal Davis

Speaker 1: Thank you all for joining us today, here on Elevate. Broadcasting from the Razorback Camper Sales Studio. This National Park College podcast highlights a different Nighthawk with each episode. We'll talk about their journey, challenges, key moments of success, their moments of elevation, leveling up, and overcoming. Timothy Webb: I'm Timothy Webb, your host, and I'd like to welcome to the program Senchal Davis. Thanks for joining me today. Senchal Davis: Thank you for having me. Timothy Webb: Hey, so Senchal, how long have you been here at National Park College? Senchal Davis: I've only been here for a year, actually. Timothy Webb: What is it you do here? Senchal Davis: I'm one of the Career Coaches for... I'm actually, for Hot Springs School District. Timothy Webb: Oh, okay. What kind of challenges do you face as the Career Coach there at Hot Springs? Senchal Davis: Well, a little bit of the fact that I have three bosses. I have my National Park side, and then we have our state ADHE side, and then I also have to go with the culture and the administration that's in the actual building that I work for. So it's a little bit of all of that, as well as it's me and then there's hundreds of students. I'm supposed to expose these students grades 8th all the way through 12th, and so there's about 200 to 300 students per class. And so it is a lot of students, but I honestly enjoy what I do. I've had so much fun getting to know the seniors, taking them on college tours and facility tours. Getting guest speakers as well as being able to use the resources I have here at National Park as well. So it's a challenge, but I'm loving it. Timothy Webb: Awesome, awesome. So Sanchel, tell us a little bit about yourself. Senchal Davis: I was actually born and raised in Hot Springs. I graduated from Hot Springs High in 2002. I went to college in Louisiana at Grambling State University. I got a bachelor's degree in biology and secondary education, so I was actually a science teacher for about 13 and a half years. Then I have a master's degree in curriculum and instruction, as a reading specialist and just kind of take that route a little bit. Towards the end of my teaching career, I began teaching what was called freshman seminar and Avid elective, which is where you kind of help them build towards careers and things like that. And I was like, "Ooh, I really like this side of, still having the students and being engaged with students but not necessarily a content area." Because you're able to see them in a bigger spectrum, like work on soft skills and just helping them become a productive citizen and not just so much content. So when this position opened up and I was happening to be moving back to Hot Springs and I was like, "Hey, this sounds like this would be the perfect fit for me." And so I slid into it and now here I am. Timothy Webb: That's great. That's great. So being a Career Coach, what all does that entail exactly? Senchal Davis: Well, I know one of the things that some people think that Career Coaches only focus on college aspect or putting them right into the workforce, but really it entails a lot of things. Either helping fill out job applications. Helping them prepare for an interview, especially working with students that may not have ever had a job. Or first generation students who don't know how to even fill out college application or where to even begin. So I help with that part. We also focus on trades, getting the students into the workforce. So anything that fits them, we just want to help them to get there or realize that there are some next steps after high school that they may not even know their options. So it's about career exploration. We do interest surveys for students. "I don't know what I want to do. I don't know what I want to do." We get that a lot too. And I'm like, "Right, you do know legally you're grown in a little bit. So we do have to figure out something. We have to make some type of income." And like I said, we can work on soft skills, just connecting them with community resources, if that's a need that they have. We work with different programs and businesses around the community, just trying to build that partnership. We want to help our community grow as well. And who's going to help it grow? It's getting these students into those positions and knowing what we actually have to offer. Timothy Webb: Wow. Wow. That's great. So getting to Hot Springs and National Park College and getting your bachelor's in biology, what was some of the bigger obstacles you had to face and overcome to do all that and get to where you are today? Senchal Davis: I am a first-generation college student. Neither of my parents ever went to college. They didn't really know how to tell me how to get there, but we knew that that was a goal that I had, that I wanted to do it. Hearing the word FAFSA, I had no idea what that meant. Finding financial aid, just things like that. That was a big obstacle. Learning to balance being... I won't say being different, but taking that chance and stepping outside of my community, realizing there is more out there. And I do believe that going out there then coming back to your community helps you see a broader experience and it helps you to bring something back to your community. Other obstacles, just even growing up, I mean I am a black female, those come with certain stereotypes. We just can't shelter everything that goes on in the world. So it's some of those obstacles I've had to overcome where, I remember a guy didn't want me to be science department chair and my principal wanted me to be. And he basically gave me a real hard time. He didn't want to take advice or he didn't want the younger woman to come in. He used to call me feisty. Sometimes it's just like I'm overcoming cultural biases and barriers. Financially, I've had to overcome different things. I grew up with a two-parent household, but we were on the lower end of income sometimes and things like that. It's been a lot of obstacles and I think they all have shaped me. Timothy Webb: Right. Right. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, we're definitely shaped by the things we overcome, aren't we? What is it about your position that rewards you? Senchal Davis: I think knowing that I could be what those students need at that moment. Even something so simple. About a week ago I had a student come tell me that she had got an interview. I asked her what was she going to wear? And she's like, "I'm going to wear what I have on." And I kind of looked at her and she just had on leggings and a hoodie and I said, "No, we're going to find something else." We have a welcome center in the school district and it's a kind of a closet where other professionals have donated tops or just clothes or resources. So I grabbed her something and then we talked about, I was like, "Okay, now when you go in there, make eye contact. Take your time, think about the things that we've talked about." So just even those little things and her coming back and say, "Thank you for actually caring." Or a student, just reach out and say, "Hey, you remember that scholarship you told me about? I actually got it." Or going on college tours. "You know, I've never been outside of Hot Springs, so thank you for taking me." Just little things like that you don't realize make a big impact. And so that just makes me smile to know that even if it was just one student a month or something, it's still rewarding. And knowing that they're getting opportunities and experiences that they probably wouldn't have. Timothy Webb: That's awesome. I'm sure that feels really good. What lessons have your position taught you? Senchal Davis: Patience. Organization. Timothy Webb: Yes. Senchal Davis: Time management, all of those things. How am I going to see this many students on and being flexible and it's helped me with people skills. I mean, I think we've all probably overcome the awkwardness as a teenager or being thrown into a public speaking class, but being able to call community businesses and actually talk to them and tell them what we need. Or advocating for another student or things like that. Patience, definitely, because sometimes we want someone to get something right then and they can't get it until it clicks for them. So I'm like, "Okay, what does this mean? Filling out a job applications, we've talked about this already, you don't get it yet?" And they're like, "Oh." And then when it finally clicks, it's like, "Yeah, so it was worth the wait." Or just working on other people's schedule because I have to work around a lot of different schedules sometime, whether I'm pulling them out of class, whether I'm trying to schedule an event, but the school already has something going. So I've learned to be flexible in that area. But definitely, definitely organization. I keep my little planner now. Timothy Webb: Right. Yeah. Yeah. I use my calendar more than I ever thought I would. Senchal Davis: Definitely. Timothy Webb: What achievements are you proud of? Senchal Davis: I'm thinking it kind of goes back to some of the obstacles that earlier when we talked about obstacles that I've overcome, I'm proud of even achieving a degree. I am proud of surviving sometimes. You know, sometimes in life you have to go through survival mode. I'm proud that despite the challenges in life changes, I'm still optimistic. I'm still able to be a light for others and let them know that it may look like this right now, but this is what it may look like. You got to put in that work and keep going. Don't stop right there. So I'm proud of those achievements as well. Timothy Webb: So Senchal, you said you grew up in Hot Springs, what was it like growing up here? Senchal Davis: A lots have changed. I will tell you that. It was nice. Honestly, I can't think back to a time in my childhood where I was like, "Oh my gosh, I hate where I live. Or I hate growing up in my city." Or I can't think of a time that it was anything like that. I've always enjoyed it. We have a very loving community, kind of small-knit in a sense, but not too small where everybody knows every single thing. But it's enough that we had each other's back. You know, a little village. We could ride our bike in the neighborhood and know that Miss so-and-so is going to tell you to go home. Or you know, you trusted your neighbors. We have events all the way back to Christmas parade. I think of the little things that were exciting, we have a lot of free things as well. Just being able to go to the lake. One of my favorite experiences as a kid is just the fact that my dad would drive us to the lake and go riding and see the scenery or go up on the mountain. And it didn't cost us anything. It was just spending a day together. It was a pretty nice day being able to have friends and come back to them and see some of them now. And I know that some of them are not in the community, but they're out doing great things. And that our home shaped us to who we are and we're actually making positive growth in them. Timothy Webb: Can you tell us about an influential person in your life and how they impacted you? Senchal Davis: Ooh, that's a tough one. I'm not sure if I can pinpoint one influential person because I think throughout life we encounter different people that we may need for that season of our life. So I think back being a child, my grandma was a big influence on me. Just hearing her stories and how far they've come and what her generation had and them being thankful for the little things. And then I take that and go to college in another state. And here I am meeting professors who are from different countries and things and hearing about their experiences, and what they've overcome and how they've gotten to where they are. So I think throughout life, each phase had a different influential person and you just take all of that and it just kind of makes you who you are. Timothy Webb: Any favorite childhood memories you'd like to share? Senchal Davis: That's funny. This is probably so random, but because we're in the holiday season, I think about... I actually used to take the books off our shelves and wrap them for my parents and my brother. Even though it was something we already had in the house. I was so excited that I got to put something under the tree that I would seriously get our encyclopedias or something and I would wrap it and put their name on it and make a little card and it was so cute. And it's as if I'm really giving them something. But I think that was something funny that sticks with me from childhood and just the innocence of a child and the holiday season. And it really is about the thought sometimes. Just knowing that you think enough of those people that you want to do something for them. Timothy Webb: That's a frugal tip, I think. Senchal Davis: Right. Let's recycle everything in the house. Timothy Webb: Yeah, I'm going to do that. "Honey, I know what you're getting for Christmas." Senchal Davis: And I know you like it, because you're already using it. Timothy Webb: That's right. That's right. So if you could go back and give your younger self any piece of advice, what would it be? Senchal Davis: I think I would tell myself that, "Be confident in who you are and that you are enough." And everybody moves at their own pace, be okay with that because your time is coming too." Timothy Webb: Yeah. Senchal Davis: I think that's what I'd tell myself. Timothy Webb: Right. So what is it about National Park College that brought you here? Senchal Davis: Actually in high school I was able to take college algebra out here. Sometimes in senior you can do the concurrent credit. And then later on, my nephew actually was part of Talent Search. He was telling me about how much he enjoyed the atmosphere on National Park and everything. And so as I moved back, and this was one of the first places I started looking for a job. I just felt like that this would be where I would fit just based on people that I know that have worked here, how happy they are. They tell me, "You know, National Park, we're like a family. We watch out for each other, we communicate, all the departments work together." And so, it all fell into place. Timothy Webb: Yeah. And that still feels the way it is today. It really does. Other than National Park and being a Career Coach, what are some of your hobbies? Senchal Davis: Well, I like to listen to music a whole lot. I like dance. I actually used to coach dance. Most of the school districts actually for about 11 years. I've always coached some type of dance team or spirit team or something at the schools that I worked at. So I enjoy dancing, I enjoy reading and I like shows and movies and adventures. I like spending time with my son and being outdoors. Timothy Webb: So just to focus on one of those, what is it about dance that drew you to it? What do you like about dancing? Senchal Davis: Dancing is kind of like therapy. And you kind of get to escape and just be you and just listen to, and let the emotions of music overtake you. Whatever you're feeling that day, you can put that type of song on and that kind of beat. And you just move to it and just, you feel free. Timothy Webb: Yeah. Yeah. Nice. All right. Here's a deep one. You ready? All right. If you could talk to anyone from the past, present, or even the future, who would it be and why? Senchal Davis: I would like to speak to someone who possibly had their hands in something big or monumental, but we don't actually know them. I would like to see their perspective on, "How did all of this come together?" Even if it was something as simple as our government or just somebody who was there but wasn't there. I don't know how to really get that out, but I think that would be so cool to just hear how they were maybe a part of the planning process. Or how someone else got famous off of what they had a hand in, but yet they enjoyed what they did. I would just like to see what's it like to know that you shaped history in a sense. There's no one particular thing I can think of, but I just think that would be fun. I don't know if you're familiar with DC Legends of Tomorrow. They travel through time. It's like the superheroes and stuff, they travel through time and they get to go to certain events. And so just to see one episode, they may have been with a major war, but they were with the people in the background. And one little thing could alter it and then, now they have ripples in time. So I was just curious to know, if this one thing didn't happen, what would be different about where we are now? Timothy Webb: Right. Right. And time travel is extremely interesting. Senchal Davis: It is to me. Timothy Webb: Yeah. I can't help but sometimes pine to go back to the 90s and 80s. I don't know why. Senchal Davis: It was classic. Timothy Webb: You know what though? If we went back now, I don't think we would like it as much. But for some reason in my mind I miss it. Senchal Davis: I agree. We probably wouldn't like it as much because especially if we go back with what we know now, Timothy Webb: Right. Senchal Davis: We'll be like, "Hmm." Timothy Webb: I'm not sure about all this. But in my mind it was just full of happy memories. Senchal Davis: Yes. Timothy Webb: Especially in the 90s. Senchal Davis: And if I could meet a future person, I probably would like to meet my future self. Timothy Webb: Yeah. And say, "Hey, what did I do right? What did I do wrong?" Senchal Davis: That would be kind of cool. Timothy Webb: That would be. So Senchal, what's some of your future plans? Senchal Davis: To travel more and to have experiences. And I would like to possibly eventually move up to maybe a director of career services or something like that. You just never know there, because I really enjoyed this. Make sure that I'm making the most out of life. Because, it really is short that we don't... It's long, but it's short. And so I just want to make sure whatever I'm doing in the future, that I'm constantly making a positive impact and I'm living in the moment. And not so focused on the future that sometimes you forget to be present. Timothy Webb: Right. Right. If you want to know how short life is, just watch your kids grow up. Senchal Davis: Yes. Timothy Webb: Flies by. Senchal Davis: Because I swear I can blink and I'm like, he's eight. Timothy Webb: Yeah. Senchal Davis: About to be five foot. It's like, "When did this happen?" Timothy Webb: Yeah. So Senchel, any advice or any quotes or mottoes you'd like to leave our listeners by that you sort of live by? Senchal Davis: I'd like to live by the phrase... I even have it tattooed on my arm. And I mentioned it a moment ago though, that I am enough. Because I think a lot of times, especially in this day and age, I know people hear it all the time that you watch influencers or people where they are right now in their life, but you don't know what it took to get there or anything like that. And I really think people need to know that you are enough. And if all you want to do is work your 9 to 5, come home and spend time with your family, that is enough. If that fulfills you, enjoy it. Just know that you are enough, one way or the other, no matter what. You being who you are right now in this moment is enough. Timothy Webb: Right. No, that's a great message. That's a great message. Well, Senchal Davis of National Park College and Career Coach of Hot Springs District, we thank you for coming and being on Elevate today. Senchal Davis: Well, thank you for having me. Timothy Webb: Thanks. It's been wonderful talking to you. Senchal Davis: Yes, have a good one. Timothy Webb: You too. And thanks to all of you for listening to Elevate today from the Razorback Camper Sales Studio. New episodes are released each Thursday. Special thanks to National Park College and the Sentinel Record for making this podcast possible. Until next time, this is Timothy Webb reminding you that every day is a chance to Elevate.