Meet the Teacher

All Saints’ Padric Davis

Entering the campus of All Saints-by-the-Sea Parish School was actually a homecoming of sorts for a variety of reasons, the most recent being that our granddaughter, now 10 and a big fifth grader, attended the Parish School as a toddler. Not that long ago she could be seen hopping around the playground laughing, playing, and learning in the nurturing atmosphere of the Parish School and its staff. Another memory that came to mind as I entered the church grounds, a remembrance from a Galaxy Far, Far Away was the image of Dr. George Hall (all 20 feet of him... at least that’s how tall he seemed at the time) standing at the alter pronouncing us Man and Wife!

As I opened the gate to the playground for a visit with All Saints’ Parish School Director Padric Davis, the little preschoolers were happily bouncing around on the playground in front of their classrooms exactly as they did just a few years ago. Davis met me at the entrance and escorted me into her office at the heart of the complex. It was obvious that this office was a busy place: the shelves were full of children’s books, personal photos and mementos, a couple of computer screens, sticky reminder notes, magnets, a few toys, and a desk with her current “to-do” paperwork. Certainly a busy, comfortable, and welcoming place. I felt right at home! Once settled, Davis proudly confirmed the multiple generations of children the Parish School had served in over half a century. “The school opened its doors with a few rabbits, Guinea pigs, and twenty-nine kids,” she laughed. “Since Rev. Dr. George Hall’s 1965 request that a church school be formed, our Parish school’s been operating continuously since then.” Dr. Letty Lauffer, a parishioner, was the school’s original Director and her successor, Eva Smith, served for nearly 30 years. Davis has also been with the school for 30 years as both teacher and director. She added that most of the current staff members have also had long associations as both parents and teachers. “All our teachers here and a past student, the first alum to become a teacher, and most assistants are past parents who understand our mission to prepare our children academically, spiritually, and emotionally for a smooth transition to Kindergarten,” Davis revealed. “Each of our teachers carries an ECE credential and most credentials have been earned at our fabulous SBCC – for a substitute teaching position at

children who might otherwise not

All Saints’ Parish School. All Saints’ been able to attend are enrolled.

long-time director, Eva Smith, hired “A defining aspect of the school,”

her as a full-time teacher immediately noted Davis, “is the formation of last

knowing Davis’ background as an ing friendships as is the case with our

administrator at St. Matthews, also an teaching staff, but also by our students

Episcopal school. “All Saints’ Parish that often follow them through high

School felt so comfortable to me, I school and beyond.” At graduations

Padric Davis

felt right at home from the moment I entered the door, and that feeling has or other key events, children and parents will see friends and remember

the best program for working with never changed.” Davis continued as that they met at All Saints’ Parish

young children ever!” She added, “We a teacher until 2007 when Eva Smith School. Davis is proud of the family

are truly a family here with so many retired, after which she was deemed feeling and the nurturing environ

connections.” the Interim Director, and then hired ment that extends to the entire school

as the Director of the school. During community, which includes her staff

The Brady Bunch

Davis’ tenure the Bumble Bee program was added, extending the curriculum as well as herself. “After a tragic personal loss of my own, the All Saints’

A native of Los Angeles, the eldest to very young children. This classfamily became my support system

of three children with a working dad room was added to accommodate the and gave me the courage to move for

and a stay-at-home mom, Davis grew newest group, beginning at two years ward with gratitude and became my

up in Santa Monica. “Even when I was old. She remained a teacher-director ‘happy place,’” she shared. “During

young I always wanted to be a mom… until 2014, after which she reluctantly times of crisis, whether in our com

and also a teacher.” She attended local gave up teaching to concentrate fully munity or personal, these experiences

schools and after graduating from St. on administration. bind us together as a family.”

Monica’s Catholic High School, she As our time together drew to a

attended UCLA and earned her Early Childhood Education credential.

Feeling Like Family

close, I asked Davis how she envisions the future for the All Saints’

Marriage and the arrival of two sons The present-day school provides Parish School. “My goal is to main

came before her first teaching posiearly childhood education for chiltain the integrity of the school as

tion at St. Mathews Parish School, an dren between the ages of two and envisioned by the founders, to pro

Episcopal school, in Pacific Palisades. five years, with 89 students enrolled vide not only a chance for a child to

The position at St. Matthews was ideal in the 2019-20 program. The school is fly, but a safe, soft place to land when

for Davis, now a single mom, to have overseen by the All Saints-by-the-Sea they fall short of their goals.” With a

the kind of hours that would allow her Vestry and the Parish School Board, history of over 50 years in the Santa

to be home for her boys. “St. Matthews and is supported by an active Parent Barbara community and generations

was amazing,” recalled Davis, “and I Council which raises funds to supof children the Parish School remains

stayed there as a teacher and evenplement the school’s educational protrue to the mission established by Dr.

tually as the Assistant Director for a grams. Five days a week classes are George Hall and is carried forth in

decade and a half... actually until we held from 9 am to 12:45 pm with an the tradition with which it was estab

moved here to Santa Barbara.” Extended Day class available Tuesday lished. Thank you to Padric Davis

It was at St. Matthews she met her through Friday until 2:45 pm. Thanks and her talented and committed

second husband, a single father with to the families generously supporting staff… you’ve surely made the Parish

three kids about the same age as her the Parish School Scholarship Fund, School founders proud!

own. “All of the kids wanted us to

get married,” Davis recalled. “They pestered us constantly!” After dating for two years, Padric and John Davis finally tied the knot to the happiness and satisfaction of the entire crew. “We were like the ‘70’s Brady Bunch,” Davis laughed, “we really were! We raised all five kids… and today are the proud grandparents of nine.”

In 1989, Davis and her husband

Great Kitchens Don’t Just Happen . . .

• Certified Designers • Fine Custom Cabinetry

They Happen by Design.