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A woman holding a bouquet of pink roses stands at the center of a stage inside a gymnasium alongside her family and two school administrators. The man on the far left wears a light blue dress shirt with a red tie, while the woman on the far right wears a black "The Greatest Show in Education" t-shirt and white pants. In the background, a large screen displays a picture of the honoree.

Kassie Ayers Named 2026 Dalton Public Schools Classified Staff Member of the Year

Ashley Grycz

July 31, 2026

Dalton, GA – During the Dalton Public Schools Annual Employee Convocation, Kassie Ayers, an Exceptional Student Services (ESS) paraprofessional at City Park School, was recognized as the 2026 District Classified Staff Member of the Year. The honor celebrates her continuous dedication, compassion, and solution-focused approach to supporting students and staff across the district.

Before entering education, Ayers worked for nine years as a nursing assistant at Hamilton Medical Center, an experience that instilled in her patience, compassion, teamwork, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. She became a paraprofessional in 2021 when her daughter started school. To better serve students with complex behavioral and developmental needs, Ayers earned her certification as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in elementary education through the Para-to-Teacher Program at Dalton State.

“Although I am a paraprofessional, I see myself as an educator first,” Ayers shared. “Learning never stops, and I want to provide the highest quality support possible to every student I work with.”

Ayers' unique ability to build trust with students and serve as a reliable presence for her colleagues makes her an invaluable asset to the City Park community. Whether implementing behavior intervention plans, greeting children during morning car duty, or staying after school to assist with ESS resource classroom dismissal, she approaches every task with a heart for service.

“Leadership is not about having a title, it is about the way we support others, build trust, and contribute to a positive school environment every day,” Ayers noted. “I strive to be someone who shows up with a positive attitude, treats everyone with respect, and is always willing to help.”

Outside the classroom, Ayers actively gives back to the community. She volunteers with the Whitfield County Miracle League, assisting children with special needs during adaptive recreation events, and participates monthly in church children's ministry, Vacation Bible School, and local food, toy, and coat drives.

As part of her district-wide recognition, Ayers received a $500 financial award. These awards were made possible through generous contributions from community 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.

In addition, each school-level Classified Staff Member of the Year honoree received a $300 check in celebration of their commitment to supporting learning and leadership in their buildings:

  • Blue Ridge School: Tiffany Seiber

  • Brookwood School: Jacque Medina

  • Dalton High School: Leslie Felix

  • Dalton Junior High School: Norma Rodriguez

  • Hammond Creek Middle School: Aracely Hernandez

  • Park Creek School: Catherine Virgen

  • Roan School: Mike Kolbas

  • The Dalton Academy: Kim Smyth

  • Westwood School: Kim Crane

Dalton Public Schools honors Kassie Ayers for her relentless drive to support, uplift, and empower students and staff every single day as she continues her journey as an educator.