Glen Allen High School's principal started out the last day of school like the previous 180 days of the school year. He woke up early, arrived at school and started handling the day-to-day issues. But this wasn’t a normal day for Reggie Davenport. This was the last day of his 32-year career as an educator. Davenport will retire at the end of June after being Glen Allen High School’s principal for nine years. 

The last day got off to a slow start, with plenty of people stopping by Davenport’s office to say goodbye. “And then, before you know it, it's 9 o'clock. Time to go ahead and start school.”  

When he spoke to students during the morning announcements, Davenport told them he enjoyed having them as part of this 32-year journey. Afterward, students stopped him in the hallways to get hugs and pictures. 

“That’s great, that's the cherry on top.”

When the final bell rang, Davenport was standing on the bus ramp. Students, excited for the summer, were pouring out of the school, celebrating the last day of school.  High-fives, hugs and some tears were shed as Davenport walked among the students getting on their buses. 

“This is unbelievable. This happened too quickly. I didn't expect it,” he said. “When I hit my 30th year, I'm like, ‘How did this happen?’ Because you're living it, it becomes part of you and before you know it, you've reached that milestone.”

He waited until the last student was picked up. As buses rolled by, some of the drivers honked their horns and waved goodbye. And as he walked back into the school, he reflected on his career and his time at Glen Allen High School, where he started as the associate principal when the school opened in 2010 before being promoted to principal in 2017. 

Davenport started his career in education 32 years ago as a physics teacher at the Maggie Walker Governor’s School. He moved to Henrico County Public Schools in 1998 to teach science at J.R. Tucker High School, where his principal at the time, Kathy Fisher, spotted his leadership potential through the relationships he built with students and families. 

“I was going to be a physics teacher forever, until I met that one principal who told me, ‘I’ve got plans for you!”

Davenport noted that some of the hardest days he faced as principal were during the pandemic lockdown. “I never thought I could make it through COVID. But we did. We did the best that we could. When you can't help a teacher, because you're virtual -- that was the hardest part. I think I lost it when I couldn't help a teacher.”

But what gave Davenport hope and rejuvenation were the many graduations he presided over. “I've been to 30 graduations. Graduation does something to my spirit. You get to see the product of what you invested in for years. And to see the happiness and the joy on the faces of your students, about to enter a different adulthood event, and then also the families? That's the high point of what we do in education, is graduation,” he said.

During the traditional end-of-year ceremony to celebrate accomplishments, Davenport took the opportunity to say goodbye to his faculty and staff. 

“This makes it all perfect for me. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.’ This is my calling and I’ve enjoyed the ride - so thank you all!” 

He was met with a standing ovation. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, even for Davenport. As the ceremony ended, teary-eyed teachers lined up to say good-bye one last time.

Davenport says he’s proud of the work they have accomplished over the past nine years together. 

“I didn’t want to leave this room without telling you that I love each and every one of you. And to my team, thank you so much. Have a great summer, enjoy life and keep joy at the center of everything that you do.”