My Story

Meet Mrs. Dodson...

This is my 21st year at Stone!   

This year I am stepping into the role of Arts Magnet Coordinator along with the Literacy Specialist for the school.  I am excited to meet the many families that want to attend Stone and help support teachers in the classroom with the arts and all things reading and writing.   

I love learning and trying new things.   I have taught RTI, 1st and 4th here at Stone and in 2013-2014, I was Teacher of the Year at Stone Academy. It was a big honor to be recognized by the amazing teachers and administrators from whom I have learned! I try to push into the classrooms to teach creative writing when it fits the classroom curriculum.  Encouraging student writing brings me great joy and I am excited to help inspire and see all the wonderful works students create this year.  

I continue learning as an educator regularly and have found the best way to learn is to learn from others. We have a top-notch staff at Stone and I am always learning from them! 

Some other tidbits about me:

*My husband Nathan is hilarious.  He doesn't take life or himself too seriously.  I know I have many more laugh lines since the first time we met.  He works hard at what he does!  He loves to come and help in the classroom from time to time and has a way with children.  He is a charmer through and through. He has a big hobby of collecting and selling antiques and collectibles.  He operates and owns Dodson Dig Co., which is right around the corner on Wade Hampton and Chick Springs.  It is a store full of rare nostalgic finds and collectibles with loads of hidden treasures. 

Occasionally, I will find goodies I can use as artifacts to teach from.  In class, I brought in a giant light bulb to talk about electricity, Native Arrow Heads, and a pipe from The Civil War.  Props to my husband for finding cool teaching artifacts! One year, he was able to come int and do an integrated artifact lesson with our 2nd graders!  

*  We have two sons.  Thomas starts 9th grade this year at Wade Hampton High School and Marshall is an 8th grader this year at League.  Both went to Stone Academy.  Time flies!  

*I have been exposed to many places.  I was born in Holland (my cousins, aunt, and uncle are still in Holland) and I grew up in Alabama.  I spent my middle school and high school years in South Bend, Indiana- Home of the Fighting Irish.   My brother, his wife, and my two nieces live outside of Chicago.  You may hear me talk about visiting them from time to time. This summer we have a beach house rented for a week!  I am excited to have them trade their Chicago winter coats for flip-flops.  It will be hilarious to see all of our kids together. 

*I attended undergrad at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. I moved to Greenville in 2001.  I immediately started teaching at Stone-literally the week I moved here and continued my education with a Master's+30 Degree in Education.

*I participated in the Upstate Writing Project in 2004 with Clemson University which reignited a love for writing and teaching through writing.  I love student writing- it is expressive and pure.

*I fully embrace Stone Academy's mission.  Since teaching at Stone I have completed the IDEA program with The Peace Center and the SmartArts programs with the Metropolitan Arts Council.  I am constantly striving to find new, authentic ways to teach.  Bring on the ideas!     

*I have spent two years immersed in the SmartArts program with Greenville's Metropolitan Arts Council.   

*In 2015 I completed the Orton-Gillingham Associate level training and am currently working on my 100 tutorial hours and am currently working with grade levels to include a multi-sensory approach to word block within the classrooms. 

*This past summer our family traveled to the Pacific Northwest!  We traveled to Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria Island,  and Seattle.  It was amazing to see the beauties of that part of the country! June!