A square promotional award graphic set against a dark gray background with a faint seal of The Dalton Academy watermarked in the center. A portrait of smiling staff member Kim Smyth appears on the right side. On the left, bold red text reads "Classified Staff of the Year" above a red box displaying the hashtag "#PUMAS". Along the bottom, the surname "SMYTH" is written in bold white lettering with "Kim" overlaid in red script, flanked by the Dalton Public Schools logo and "The Dalton Academy."

Kim Smyth Named The Dalton Academy 2025–2026 Classified Staff Member of the Year

Ashley Grycz

September 17, 2026

Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce that Kim Smyth has been named The Dalton Academy's 2025–2026 Classified Staff Member of the Year.

Smyth has worked in the office at The Dalton Academy since July 2022, handling records, attendance, and data. Her experience in Dalton Public Schools follows 13 years in data and attendance at North Whitfield Middle School and three years as a registrar and mentor at Mountain Education Charter High School.

Smyth said making a strong first impression on everyone who visits the school is central to her role.

"I always greet visitors with a smile and want to make the best first impression when parents and visitors enter our school."

Smyth oversees attendance at The Dalton Academy, tracking attendance daily, calling parents, sending attendance letters, and conducting attendance review meetings alongside the school's social worker and administrators. This past school year, she helped lead more than 80 attendance meetings with parents of students facing chronic absenteeism.

"I take pride in the work I do in this area."

Smyth said one of her greatest strengths is the connections she builds with students, including the seniors and juniors she has gotten to know through conversations about life after high school.

"I feel like this is where I excel and have a gift at making connections with students... I have a heart for this and will continue to support students."

Smyth stays active in the broader school community as well, assisting with the C3 program at The Dalton Academy, visiting a local assisted living home weekly with service-based learning students, and serving on the Superintendent's Culture and Climate team this past school year.

Outside of school, Smyth mentors students and parents in the community on college applications and scholarships and has supported Dalton's first girls soccer club, The Belles, by helping players raise money for travel and driving them to tournaments and college visits.

Dalton Public Schools congratulates Kim Smyth on being named The Dalton Academy's 2025–2026 Classified Staff Member of the Year and thanks her for the dedication she shows to students and staff each day.