For over twenty years, teaching has been more than just a job for Ben Davis – it’s been his passion. Since joining Sahuaro in 2010, he has taught physics and engineering while simultaneously building a successful robotics program that has made a lasting impact on students.

Before coming to Sahuaro, Mr. Davis moved to Tucson in 2009, looking for a great school where he could teach physics; after hearing about Sahuaro’s strong reputation, he applied and was hired in 2010. Since then, he has spent 15 years inspiring students in STEM.

Mr. Davis’ love for teaching started in high school when he was named a Coca-Cola scholar and went to visit Atlanta. During the trip, he listened to former president Jimmy Carter and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s son talk about their dedication to helping others. “Hearing them speak was incredibly inspiring.” He said their words motivated him to join AmeriCorps in 2003, where he worked on community service projects and with student groups. “I loved working with students and seeing the difference I could make. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a teacher.”

One of Mr. Davis’ favorite parts of teaching is coaching robotics because it allows students to apply math, science, and engineering in a hands-on competitive setting. “It’s amazing to see students take an idea, build it, and watch it come to life in competition,” he said. The VEX Robotics program has helped students gain technical skills while also growing personally and professionally. His efforts go beyond Sahuaro, as he is helping start a robotics program at six other high schools in Tucson and organizing tournaments that give students a valuable learning experience. “Every tournament is an opportunity for students to push themselves and learn something new.”

Throughout his career, Mr. Davis has had many proud moments but one of the most memorable happened during the 2019 Covid pandemic. A former student emailed him sharing that his physics and engineering classes had completely changed their career. “She had planned to become a physical therapist but told me that my class sparked a passion for physics she never knew she had,” he recalls. Today she works as a software engineer at NASA’s propulsion laboratory (JPL)  and contributed to MARS 2020 and the Europa Missions. “Knowing I played even a small role in her journey is one of the most rewarding parts of my career.”

Beyond just the subject matter, Mr. Davis hopes his students leave his classes with a better understanding of how the world works and an appreciation of STEM’s impact on their everyday life. “I want them to see how physics and engineering shape the world around us,” he explains. He also hopes they remember the fun, hands-on projects and the friendships they made. “If they leave my class with curiosity and confidence in their abilities, I’ve done my job.”

With a civil and environmental engineering degree, it was a natural step for Mr. Davis to jumpstart the University of Arizona 102 engineering class at Sahuaro in 2012. For over 13 years, he has helped students earn college credits while exploring engineering as a potential career. “Giving students a head start in college and exposing them to real-world engineering is something I’m proud of.”

Mr. Davis encourages students to take advantage of this opportunity regardless of their prior experience. “Join me next year in Engineering Design 3,4 to earn University of Arizona credit. You don’t have to take Exploring Engineering 1,2 first. We will do interesting projects while learning about engineering design. Also, take Physics or AP Physics with me. They are both great classes.”

Since starting his teaching career in 2009, Mr. Davis has spent 16 years shaping young minds at Sahuaro. His time at Sahuaro has been filled with inspiring students growing programs and fostering a love for stem that extends beyond the classroom.”Teaching isn’t just about the subject—it’s about guiding students to discover their passions and potential.”