Dalton Public Schools is proud to recognize Emily Fee as the Dalton Junior High School Teacher of the Year. A dedicated and passionate math educator, Fee’s journey into teaching was an unexpected but deeply fulfilling path that has allowed her to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives.
Fee, a 2014 graduate of Shorter University with a degree in accounting, initially pursued a career in business. However, after working as a staff accountant for two years, she realized that her passion lay in sharing her love of math with young people. With encouragement from her family, including her mother, a veteran teacher, she transitioned into education and began teaching in 2018.
"Teaching is so much more than just instructing young people in math," Fee said. "It’s about building relationships and creating a learning environment where students feel welcome." She believes her greatest contribution to education is the success of her students, finding immense pride in seeing them grow and achieve their goals.
Fee is committed to fostering a growth mindset in her classroom, especially in a subject that many students find challenging. She encourages perseverance, embraces hands-on learning experiences, and implements innovative teaching methods such as the workshop model and differentiated instruction.
"An exceptional teacher not only motivates students to excel but also continuously seeks to improve their own teaching methods," she said.
Beyond the classroom, Fee has served as a coach for youth basketball teams and is actively involved in her son's recreational baseball league. Through coaching, she has been able to mentor young athletes and instill values of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
As she continues her career, Fee is stepping into leadership roles, serving on the teacher panel for Dalton Junior High’s influencer group. She also holds a master’s degree in teaching with a focus on middle grades math and science.
Dalton Public Schools congratulates Emily Fee on this well-deserved recognition and thanks her for her dedication to students, education, and the community.