Davon A. Clarke is an equity-driven educator dedicated to bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world classroom application. With over a decade of experience in diverse urban settings, Davon serves as both a second-grade teacher in the NYCPS and an Adjunct Instructor at NYU Steinhardt. In his university courses, he prepares emergent educators to translate complex pedagogical concepts into inclusive, culturally responsive practices that thrive in a lived classroom environment.
Davon’s work is deeply rooted in the belief that literacy is a primary tool for dismantling systems of oppression. While his classroom expertise is broad, he maintains a specialized interest in literacy development, utilizing his Orton-Gillingham training (2024) and Science of Reading micro-credential from SUNY New Paltz to empower marginalized voices. He frequently contributes to literacy platforms, helping families navigate the early phases of reading as a means of achieving educational equity.
A recognized leader in the New York City education community, Davon has served as a UFT Chapter Leader and a mentor for both NYC Men Teach and the NYC EdPrep program. His commitment to instructional innovation and school culture has earned him several prestigious honors, including being named a finalist for the 2023 NYCDOE Big Apple Award, the FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence, and the 2022 Norwegian's Giving Joy Award.
Education and Certifications
- C.A.S. in School Building & District Leadership, The College of Saint Rose
- M.A. in Childhood Special Education, New York University
- M.A. & C.A.S. in TESOL, Hunter College (CUNY)
- B.S. in Childhood Education & B.A. in Spanish, SUNY Cortland
- NYS Certifications: Childhood Education (1-6), ESOL (PreK-12), Students with Disabilities (B-2, 1-6), and School District/Building Leader.
Selected Publications
Print Contributions
- Clarke, D. (2021). Portfolios: Progress monitoring over time. In A. M. Quinzio-Zafran & E. A. Wilkins (Eds.), The new teacher’s guide to overcoming common challenges: Curated advice from award-winning teachers (pp. 184–185). Routledge; Kappa Delta Pi.
Online Posts
- Clarke, D. (2026, April 23). Reading tips for parents: How to correct while building confidence. Hooked on Phonics. https://www.hookedonphonics.com/posts/reading-tips-for-parents/
- Clarke, D. (2026, April 15). Tips for navigating parent-teacher conferences. Hooked on Phonics. https://www.hookedonphonics.com/posts/parent-teacher-conferences/
- Clarke, D. (2026, March 3). The benefits of reading. Hooked on Phonics. https://www.hookedonphonics.com/posts/the-benefits-of-reading/
- Clarke, D. (2026, March 3). 10 ways reading benefits your child’s brain. Hooked on Phonics. https://www.hookedonphonics.com/posts/what-does-reading-do-to-the-brain/
- Clarke, D. (2026, March 2). Why orthographic mapping matters in reading. Hooked on Phonics. https://www.hookedonphonics.com/posts/orthographic-mapping/
- Clarke, D. (2025, December 18). CVC words: What they are & how to teach them. Hooked on Phonics. https://www.hookedonphonics.com/posts/cvc-words/
- Clarke, D. (2025, November 17). Stages of writing development. Hooked on Phonics. https://www.hookedonphonics.com/posts/stages-of-writing-development/
- Clarke, D. (2025, October 28). Phoneme blending in phonics. Hooked on Phonics. https://www.hookedonphonics.com/posts/phoneme-blending-in-phonics/
- Clarke, D. (2025, September 8). What is automaticity in reading. Hooked on Phonics. https://www.hookedonphonics.com/posts/what-is-automaticity-in-reading/
