With a deep commitment to student success and staff development, Michelle Davidson, ACSA’s 2025 Elementary Co-administrator of the Year, exemplifies excellence in educational leadership. As vice principal of Horace Mann Elementary in Bakersfield City School District, Davidson implemented innovative programs to address the complex challenges of public education.

Understanding the value of building a strong school community, Davidson supported parent workshops to strengthen school-home communication. She promoted after-school tutoring, ensuring equitable opportunities for students with personal challenges, and has prioritized mental health by expanding student support services. Her leadership in the Professional Learning Community fosters collaboration and instructional excellence.

Using data-driven practices, Davidson introduced systems to analyze student performance, helping educators personalize instruction and improve academic outcomes. Her targeted strategies to combat chronic absenteeism have earned her school the district’s top attendance rates.

To create a positive school culture, Davidson led a comprehensive MTSS program, featuring reward systems, anti-bullying efforts and conflict resolution workshops. Her focus on safety is evident through the development of robust emergency protocols and community partnerships.

Davidson has modernized operations by implementing a digital platform for scheduling and communication, enhancing efficiency and allowing for a greater focus on instruction. She also played a key role in creating a master schedule that meets the diverse needs of students and staff.

A graduate of the National Institute for School & System Leadership program, Davidson is known for her precision, collaboration and mentorship. Her impact at Horace Mann proves her ability to lead with vision, empathy and effectiveness.

“Beyond her many professional achievements, Mrs. Davidson exemplifies qualities that make her a beloved and respected leader,” wrote Horace Mann Principal Russell Gayer. “Her compassion, integrity, and ability to inspire others create a positive and inclusive atmosphere in our school. Her positive attitude is contagious and she just makes school fun.”

What’s your favorite quote on leadership? I love two of Kobe Bryant’s quotes equally, one for working with adults and the other with students:

“If you are going to be a leader, you are not going to please everybody. You have to hold people accountable. Even if you have that moment of being uncomfortable.”

“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? I have worked with a colleague the past three years who has taught me a lot and shared a lot of advice. As a leader, the two pieces of advice he’s shared that I lean on the most are:

“It’s better to be a good person than a nice person because doing the right thing doesn’t mean you are always being nice.”

“It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.” Now my office has an umbrella and rain boots!

What’s your best strategy for work-life balance? The work-life balance strategy that works best for me is to calendar everything, and I even color code my calendar to separate work, family, friends, ACSA events, etc. It has taken me working over 20 years to find a system that works for me. I do my best to prioritize family events first since life is short and tomorrow is never promised. With that said, when I am at work, I give 100-plus percent so when my family needs me I know my work was completed and I am able to be away.

What are some life hacks that you would recommend for a new administrator? In the classroom, focus on student learning not just the teachers teaching. Maintain high expectations. Build relationships. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.” Always ask questions when you are unsure.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? There are two things that would surprise people.

First, I think most would be surprised to learn that I am a sensitive and caring person. I am like a turtle, I have a hard exterior, but once you get to know me, I’m a softie on the inside.

Second, for those who know me, I’m not much of a homemaker, yet I was a state officer for FHA-HERO in the state of Wisconsin. FHA-HERO stands for Future Homemakers of America-Home Economics Related Occupations.

What made you want to become a school administrator? Becoming a school administrator was a goal I’d had all my life. As a child, I used to play school with my neighborhood friends, and I was always the teacher in charge of the class. Throughout my years growing up, family, friends and teachers always said I was a natural born leader. As a teacher, I wanted to have a bigger impact than just my classroom, and as an academic coach, I wanted to impact more than just the teachers I supported, so being an administrator allows me to make a difference on various levels and with different stakeholder groups.

What are you proudest of accomplishing? I am proud of a personal and professional accomplishment.

Personally, this August, my husband Ryan and I will reach 25 years of marriage, and we are proud parents to our son James, a junior in high school.

Professionally, I am proud of the decrease in chronic absenteeism that my school site has made the past three years.

How has ACSA supported you in your career/current position? ACSA has supported me in a few ways. I am blessed to work in the Bakersfield City School District and for our district leadership who value what ACSA has to offer, and they encourage me to be an active member. Since I have this support, I have been able to be an active board member in our West Kern Charter as well as be involved at the region level. Through this active involvement, I have made lifelong friendships both personally and professionally. The networking and learning opportunities I have experienced have allowed me to grow as a leader; I would not be receiving this high honor without ACSA and the support of my ACSA family.

The theme for this year’s Leadership Summit is “Lead Loudly: Sharing Stories, Building Bridges.” What does Leading Loudly mean to you? To me, Leading Loudly means to not shy away from sharing opinions and not being afraid to ask the hard questions. As leaders, we want what is best for our schools and we accomplish that by asking questions, sharing experiences and learning from others before us. Our experiences and stories are the power we have to learn, grow and enact change together.