John B. Davis was a classroom teacher and central, district, and local school administrator for thirty years with the Chicago Public Schools from 1958 1988. He served as a visiting professor and part-time instructor at Roosevelt University, Chicago, in the administration and supervision master's program from 1971 to 1990.

He was also an instructor with the International Renewal Institute and Saint Xavier University field-based master's program from 1991 to 2007.

His education includes Fairfield Industrial High School, Fairfield, Alabama, 1951; BA in physical education, Miles College, Fairfield, Alabama, 1955; MA education in administration and supervision, Depaul University, Chicago, Illinois, 1967.