My name is Dorothy Pattersonand I am the proud daughter of the late Clarence and Gladys Jones. I have one sister and 1 brother. My siblings and I were raised in historical Petersburg on Pocahontas Island. This community is the oldest black community in the United States. I attended Petersburg City Public Schools. I graduated from Petersburg High School in June of 1979. I am married to Warren Anthony Patterson. We are the proud parents of three beautiful daughters. We also have a 12-year-old grand-daughter and a 2-year-old grand-son. I attended Virginia State University and I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. After completing Virginia State University, I made the decision to become a teacher. I had so many teachers that poured so much into me and that inspired to me follow in their foot- steps. I wanted to give back to the children in my community of all of the great things that was instilled into me as a child by all of my great teachers. My inspiration to pursue a career in education came from my genuine love for children and my desire to make a lasting impact in the lives of others. I have always believed that a strong, caring educator can help shape not only a student’s academic success but also their confidence, character, and future. From the very beginning of my career, I knew I wanted to be someone who encouraged children to believe in themselves and strive for greatness. Over the past 37 years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to teach, mentor, encourage, and inspire countless students and families. Seeing a child overcome challenges, gain confidence, or realize their potential has been one of the greatest rewards of my life. Education is not simply a profession to me. It is my passion, my purpose, and a calling that I have wholeheartedly dedicated my life to. I have proudly dedicated 37 years of my life to the field of education, and throughout my journey, my mission has always been centered around inspiring, educating, empowering, and supporting children and families. I believe every child deserves to feel valued, loved, encouraged, and capable of success regardless of their circumstances. Throughout my career, I have worked hard to create positive learning environments where students feel safe, supported, and motivated to reach their full potential. I take great pride in building meaningful relationships with students, parents, coworkers, and the community. While I am grateful for the awards and recognitions I have received, the greatest reward has always been knowing that I made a positive and lasting difference in someone’s life. Education is more than what I do every day. It is who I am, and it has been an honor and privilege to serve in this profession for the past 37years.
