Dalton, GA. ā During the Dalton Public Schools Annual Employee Convocation, JJ Anderson, a dedicated first-grade teacher at Westwood Elementary School, was honored as the 2026 District Teacher of the Year. The award celebrates her deep commitment to foundational literacy, her dedication to student growth, and her passion for giving back to the school system that helped shape her life.
Andersonās path to teaching began right inside Dalton Public Schools as a student herself. While attending Dalton Middle School, she participated in the Buddy Program, an experience that first sparked her interest in education as she built relationships with neurodiverse students and saw how encouragement, patience, and consistency shaped a child's confidence. Her calling was further confirmed at Dalton High School through the Early Childhood Education pathway and her experiences as a student-athlete.
āAs a product of Dalton Public Schools, I was fortunate to learn from educators who invested in me both academically and personally,ā Anderson shared. āLooking back, those experiences are a large part of why I chose to return to Dalton Public Schools. I wanted to serve the same community that helped shape me into the person I am today. Being able to teach in the district that invested in me is one of the greatest privileges of my career.ā
Since joining Dalton Public Schools in 2023, Anderson has embraced a student-centered teaching philosophy grounded in building strong relationships, setting high expectations, and utilizing evidence-based structured literacy practices. As a reading and ESOL-endorsed educator, she focuses on creating a safe, structured classroom where young learners feel empowered to take academic risks.
āOne of the most rewarding parts of teaching first grade is witnessing a 'light-bulb' moment, when a skill finally clicks, and a student realizes they are truly capable readers,ā she said. āIn those moments, the pride and excitement on a child's face are a powerful reminder of why this work matters.ā
Beyond her classroom responsibilities, Anderson serves as Westwoodās first-grade chair and as a representative on the district literacy curriculum team. She also serves as the Head Softball Coach for Dalton High School, using athletics to teach leadership, discipline, and resilience. Her dedication to servant leadership extends into the broader community through her work with the Whitfield County Miracle League, where she organizes student-athlete volunteers to support adaptive baseball for children with disabilities, as well as her involvement with the DaltonReads! literacy initiative.
As part of her recognition as District Teacher of the Year, Anderson received a $500 financial award and was surprised with a 1-year lease on a brand-new vehicle, generously donated by Ford of Dalton.
Dalton Public Schools extends heartfelt thanks to Ford of Dalton for their continued support of educators, and to the district's many generous sponsors, including Georgia United Credit Union, Ford of Dalton, First Student, CWC, J.W. Buckley & Associates, Carnes & Company CPA, SmithBuilt Construction Group, H.E. Hodge & Company, Maryville Jewelers of Dalton, and McCamy Law Firm who made this year's celebration and awards possible.
In addition to Anderson, the following 2026 Teachers of the Year were recognized for their excellence and service at the school level, each receiving a $300 monetary award:
Blue Ridge School: Angie Edwards
Brookwood School: Shea McFadden
City Park School: Kimberly Jimenez
Dalton High School: Cody Smith
Dalton Junior High School: Selena Rios
Hammond Creek Middle School: Yebel Garcia
Park Creek School: Briana Cloud
Roan School: Nadxelly Ramirez
The Dalton Academy: Katie Sloan
Dalton Public Schools is proud to celebrate JJ Anderson for her dedication to inspiring young readers, guiding student-athletes, and continuing a lifelong tradition of excellence within the district that raised her.