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

Crane has served as a kindergarten paraprofessional at Westwood since October 2016. She also works in the school's after-school program, where she often staffs the front desk at closing. Crane was previously recognized as Westwood's Classified Staff Member of the Year in 2023.

Crane said Westwood has become a second home.

"Since I started working at Westwood 10 years ago, I show up every day with a smile on my face and ready to work. Westwood is like a second home and family to me."

In the classroom, Crane said building relationships with her kindergarten students comes first.

"I build personal relationships with the children in my classroom. I think it is important to put in the time to get to know each child. I try to learn about their likes and dislikes, their families, pets, sports, etc... Every child needs something different."

She shared one example of how those relationships turn into learning.

"I found out that one little boy loves monster trucks. He could describe them and knew all their names. I worked that into his lessons, and it helped him with everything from letters, words, spelling, math, and working with shapes."

Crane is known for lessons that surprise students, from watching the moon set in the morning to learning Dalton history through the poem "The Rain Song" by Robert Loveman.

"I love to do the extra activities that surprise and show the children something they are not expecting. It gets them interested and they want to learn more."

Beyond her classroom, Crane helped start Westwood's Archery Club, helps with the school's Track Team, and assists with the fifth-grade Garden Club. She also takes part in Roundup, Literacy Night, and Math Night, and attends her kindergarten students' soccer matches, ball games, and dance rehearsals outside of school.

Away from school, Crane has volunteered with organizations including Girl Scouts, the Humane Society of Northwest Georgia, Friends of the Library, and the American Heart Association. She served as a Girl Scout leader for two troops for 10 years. Dalton Public Schools is also a family tradition for her.

"My mother attended Dalton Public Schools, my sister and I attended Dalton Public Schools, and my children attended Dalton Public Schools."

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