Meet the Media Center Staff

Jessica Dillard - Media Specialist
jessicadillard@lowndes.k12.ga.us

Hello! I'm Mrs. Dillard, and I am thrilled to serve as the new Media Specialist at Dewar Elementary School! I have been part of the Dewar family for more than 14 years and have been a Viking longer than that. I've spent my career working with students in a variety of elementary classroom and intervention roles. I earned my BSEd, MEd, and EdS from Valdosta State University. I love helping students discover books they cannot put down, explore new technology, and create exciting projects that bring learning to life. I am also passionate about building a positive school culture, supporting students and teachers, and continuing to grow as an educational leader. When I’m not in the media center, you can usually find me spending time with my family or our three dogs!

Pretzel - Therapy Dog

Hi! I’m Pretzel, Dewar’s friendly neighborhood Goldendoodle, professional tail wagger, and part-time library assistant! I am a certified and insured therapy dog who loves greeting students, making new friends, and helping brighten everyone’s day with snuggles, smiles, and the occasional happy zoomie. I was trained at Flatwoods Kennels and Training and proudly serve as an ambassador for the partnership between Flatwoods and the Lowndes County Schools therapy dog program. I have earned my AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Urban CGC, and AKC Advanced CGC titles, which basically means I’m a very good boy both at school and out in the community. My favorite things include belly rubs, hallway walks, listening to students read, and supervising snack time from a safe distance. I can’t wait to see everyone in the media center this year!

While F1B Goldendoodles are often considered allergy-friendly due to their low-to-no-shedding coats, no dog is completely hypoallergenic. Student comfort and safety are always priorities, and interactions with Pretzel are completely optional and carefully supervised.

Students who choose to interact with Pretzel will learn how to safely and respectfully approach and interact with dogs, an important life skill that extends beyond the school setting.