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Ms. Davis, the world is so lucky to have you. A few weeks ago I had dinner with Gaby Mayans, we were in your class together. We spent a good chunk talking over memories for your class and how Links still helps us both today. Where would I be without links? I seriously cannot imagine. Last year I wrote a 60 page thesis and I would’ve immensely struggled if I hadn’t had some of my Links knowledge. I actually wish that I could take Links again, but only if you taught it. Thank you for your warmth, for all the memories you helped create and were a part of. Lastly, thank you for connecting with my sister Claire and I over our shared Judaism. We came from a place of not being around people like us, and you made us feel included and important. We had you as not just an amazing teacher and person, but also as a Jewish role model. For everything, I am so grateful. Thank you for your gift. I wish you and your family the best. Jonathan, I met you once when she dragged you into a classroom. Its true what everyone says, Ms. Davis loves you so much and so intensely, and she really did speak about you all the time. All my love for all of you!

Riviera will never be the same without you. Being your colleague and friend is a blessing that I am forever grateful for. Our talks and walks in the halls and on the field during “our duty” will be fond memories of the amazing unique individual that you are. My wish for you and your family is peace that brings you comfort and loving memories forever. The author Jeanette Walls wrote, “Teaching is a calling too. And I’ve always thought that teachers in their way are holy angels leading their flocks out of the darkness.” Thank you for being such a “light.” You are so truly loved. God Speed our dear Fran, Brenda

Dear Ms. Davis, I know I only had you for a quarter and a half, but I just wanted to thank you. When I was in middle school, all I heard from high schoolers was how awesome you were. I couldn’t wait to meet you! When I finally got the chance, it was right now in my Sophomore year. Even though you were my teacher for only four months, I still learned a lot and had a great time. Don’t worry, from now on, I will be more detailed in my essays, and I’ll make sure to BE SPECIFIC! I wanted to thank you not only for being a great teacher but a funny person as well. I remember when you struggled a lot to pronounce my name when you met me, and then you called me “Ms. Double L” to not confuse my name with Daniela’s. It was humorous, and it always puts a smile on my face. Do you want to know what else I loved? Whenever you said something funny, you saw me laughing on zoom, and said, “Oh, Dianella’s laughing. She has a sense of humor, and I know that she’s paying attention.” That just made me laugh even more! One of the best days I ever had in an English class was the first time you were assigning characters for “The Crucible.” You were talking to us individually and thinking of who we should be. I came into class (virtually), and you were talking to my best friend Nico and then added me to the conversation. You said the funniest thing I’ve ever heard a teacher say. I was laughing so hard, I even had to turn my camera off because I was so red! Because of you, we know share that joke and will never forget it. Never have I ever had so much fun in English before, and this is something unforgettable. Once again, thank you! -Love, Dianella Novoa

Mrs. Davis, As Jack pointed out, rather than focus on the negative I would like to focus more on the positivity you encouraged through your teaching. I know I speak for most of us when I say that you were quite the teacher not just in what school material you taught but in the life lessons you taught. You embody the famous quote by Mark Twain that says “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life”. You always enjoyed every minute you spent in the classroom and it’s because you never went into the classroom to work. You would walk in every day to mold each and every student you had, and to take your time in making sure each student had what they needed to succeed and because of that, I will be forever grateful. One of my favorite memories was the time you randomly called my house to ask me what I thought about the exams you gave us. You asked me if the questions were challenging enough to make us think beyond but not hard enough that they were still fair and in line with what you were teaching us. That being said no memory comes close to the Frankenstein parody movie you allowed me to make with some of my classmates. That Oscar-winning masterpiece, as you liked to call it, took a full weekend and countless hours between Matt Spasic, Alex Hill, Pablo Portes, Carlos Vaca, and I to truly portray everything from the novel with our own little twist. Let me tell you that all that work was worth it because seeing how you would show it to every class since then is something I can never get over. You were our biggest fan and I will always be appreciative of that. There will never be enough words to truly describe how much you did for me and how each time we interacted I was always challenged to think and become a better person. Thank you Mrs. Davis for how you inspired each and every one of us in some form. We all truly love you and never question that. – Sebastian Sabbagh, Riviera Class of 2016

Francine Davis – (noun) Too incredible to fit into a single definition. If there was a definition for you Mrs. Davis, it would never end. Your incredible qualities and characteristics are endless and never to be forgotten. I miss your FaceTime calls and Zoom meetings just to help a student out because you are that dedicated and hard-working, I miss your popping noises when the students would join the Quizizz, and I miss you in general. Be proud of the role you have had in shaping countless students into better versions of themselves. Continue being brave and continue being happy because everyone that has had the honor to have you in their lives keeps you in their hearts forever, me included for sure. Thank you for everything! You are Frantastic! I love you Mrs. Davis! Dana Egui (always grateful)

I want to talk about a memory I have with you, Mrs. Davis. You might not remember this but it’s stuck with me for so many years. It was 2007, my senior year, I was already accepted to college and frankly, I didn’t care much for English. I plagiarized a book report and you caught me. In 4 years, you were the only teacher that ever did and maybe it’s because you actually took the time to thoughtfully read and analyze every word on each of your students’ papers. I was embarrassed and in classic jewish mother fashion, you were not so upset but extremely disappointed in me. You wanted to suspend me but we managed to arrange a deal where I’d come into your classroom every day after school for 2 weeks and scrub gum from the bottom of the desks. This was right before we moved into the new building, and there was A LOT of gum. In the beginning, I remember begrudgingly going to your classroom after school. When the dust settled and we got talking, I couldn’t believe that somebody could be so passionate about the Language Arts but you flipped that paradigm upside down. “How could you not?” Our conversations started with basic discussions about classic books and why I should read them. They evolved into chatter about me going to college (at your alma mater – Go Gators!) and then again into lengthy philosophical discourses that went on and on. I would come back the next day eager to pick up where we left off. When I visited my grandma, I’d take walks around the block hoping that I’d run into you. These discussions transformed my outlook not only on reading and English but my outlook on life reminding me not to accept my very truths at face value. Those times became some of my most treasured high school memories. I am grateful for that. 
 Every day, I strive to have the passion that you showed us in the classroom. Your commitment to your students is unparalleled and there will never be another one like you, Mrs. Davis! Thanks for being a source of joy and happiness. Thanks for birthing an amazing son who I’ve grown closer with over the years. Thanks for caring so much about us. Thanks for inspiring thousands of students. Most of all, thanks for being you. With so much love, Avi

Mrs. Davis, It was a delight to sit down in your classroom every day of my senior year. I will always be grateful for your instruction, your feedback, your humor, your wisdom. The privilege of being your student was a tremendous gift that I can’t repay. I was always impressed by the attention that you gave to the most difficult students – those who didn’t read the book, didn’t turn in their assignments on time, or slept in class. Rather than moving on without them, you made an effort to pull them up and teach them something. You made a positive impact on my life. Thank you. Jesse Diaz Miami Killian c/o 2009

Dear Ms. Davis, though I only attended your class for a quarter, you already stood out as a teacher to me. Your devotion to your students is unmatched by any other teachers I have known. The concern that you showed for me (and most certainly to all many, many students you have had) when I received a poor grade and your very kind personality always motivated me to improve myself and try my hardest. I am fond of the time you would devote to speak to me personally and the praises you sang when I did well. You will always stand out to me as the paragon of what an educator should be, and teachers like you are truly one in a million. Despite my limited experience with you, I am certain that you are the inspiration and a role model for hundreds of other students. All my very best.

Dear Ms. Davis, I wanted to begin by saying that you are one of the strongest, funniest, and most exemplary role models that I have had. You have done so much for me and have been a great part of my academic and personal growth. My first day in Riviera you welcomed me into the school and gave me the nickname Ally. This stuck on me and became a thing amongst my friends. I’ll always remember this. You watched me expand my writing and overcome obstacles I once thought were not possible. You brought vibrance and light into everything you did and created a safe space for students. Through it all, you were there for each and every one of us. The amount of lives you have touched through your career is uncountable and the memories that we have created are priceless. You have showed me the courage to get up and find the beauty in everything I do (and Mr.X of course). You will forever hold a place in my heart.

Thanks for your patience and passion for literature and teaching. God bless.