Dalton, GA — Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce that Sheree Patton, lead STEM teacher at Brookwood Elementary, has been named the school’s 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year.
Patton began her career with Dalton Public Schools in 2006 at Westwood Elementary, where she taught kindergarten through third grade. In 2023, she joined Brookwood Elementary as a third grade teacher. Over her nearly two decades in education, she has worked to build meaningful relationships with students, families, and colleagues that continue long after students leave her classroom.
“One of my biggest accomplishments in education are the relationships that I have built,” Patton said. “It’s when you walk into a local restaurant and a student you taught in kindergarten is your waiter and recognizes you. Or, when you build a relationship with a student who is guarded because of the life lessons he or she has had to endure too early in life. These are the relationships that I pride myself on and work so hard to foster because I want everyone to believe that they are more than just another student for another school year.”
Patton’s teaching philosophy emphasizes student ownership, project-based learning, teamwork, and real-world problem solving. She encourages her students to define their own learning journeys while focusing on character traits such as Growth, Resilience, Integrity, and Tenacity (G.R.I.T.).
“The most rewarding part of my job is knowing where my students begin and seeing where they end,” Patton said. “I am their biggest advocate, and when they learn that they can make a difference in making the world a better place, that’s a beautiful thing.”
Beyond the classroom, Patton is active in her community. She leads student service projects and is passionate about animal rescue and advocacy.
Brookwood Elementary is honored to recognize Sheree Patton for her dedication to education, her innovative approach to teaching, and her unwavering commitment to students and the community.