Dothan City Schools Announces 2023-2024 District Teachers of the Year, Principal of the Year and Support Person of the Year
DOTHAN, Ala. – On Thursday, February 9, 2023, Dothan City Schools (DCS) proudly announced their District Teachers of the Year that will represent Dothan City Schools at the state level for Alabama Teacher of the Year. DCS also announced their Principal of the Year as well as Support Person of the Year.
Carver School for Math, Science and Technology’s Suzanne Richards was named the District’s 2023-2024 Elementary Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Richards is a 2010 graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies as well as a 2015 Troy University Graduate with a Masters of Science in Elementary Education. Suzanne began her career with Dothan City Schools in 2011 at Carver Magnet School in a support role. Additionally, she worked from 2015 until 2019 as a teacher at Montana Magnet School prior to moving to Carver School of Math, Science & Technology where she currently serves as a 6th Grade Math teacher.
“Her passion for teaching can be felt and seen on the smiling faces of the students leaving her classroom. I have been blessed to have taught with hundreds of teachers in my 25 years of education, but Mrs. Richards is one of the best I have ever seen,” says Carver School for Math, Science and Technology Principal, Mr. Chris Payne.
Dothan Preparatory Academy’s Ben Lundy was named the District’s 2023-2024 Secondary Teacher of the Year. Mr. Lundy is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a BFA in Musical Theatre and is currently projected to graduate in July of 2023 from Columbus State University with his Masters of Education in Theatre Education. Ben is in his 4th year with DCS. He began working with Dothan City Schools in 2019 at Dothan Preparatory Academy teaching Theatre I, Exploratory Theatre, Advanced Theatre for the Performer and Advanced Musical Theatre.
Mr. Lundy’s colleagues and parents had the following to say about his work at DPA, “As a parent I have first hand experience of how powerful Mr. Lundy’s positive influence affects a student’s life.” “Mr. Lundy builds relationships with students and has a collaborative relationship between his colleagues and administrators.”
Dothan High School’s Dr. Keith Bland was named the district’s Principal of the Year. Dr. Bland began serving as Dothan High School’s principal in April of 2022. Dr. Bland’s experience in school administration includes his role as principal at J.R. Arnold High School in Panama City, Florida, for 10 years. Dr. Bland was most recently an administrator and head football coach at Bay High School. Additionally, he has served as a site supervisor for Grand Canyon University, instructional leader for Florida Virtual School, assistant principal for J.R. Arnold High School, and head football coach and athletic director for Apalachicola High School. In addition to his administrative experience, Dr. Bland has taught special education and physical education at elementary and secondary levels for over 15 years.
Dr. Bland’s colleagues and teachers had the following to say about his work at DHS, “Dr. Bland came into Dothan High School and is the catalyst for changing the culture of the school. He has not lowered expectations or overlooked the students' behavior or academic successes in order to do this. He expects a lot from the students, but also meets them where they are at. He listens to them. He cares about the things that they care about beyond the academic realm.” “He has changed the climate of Dothan High school so much since he has been with us. He has made coming to work a positive experience. Dr. Bland listens to our concerns and tries to find a solution. He wants our opinions and wants the school to be shaped by our collective experiences. He is creating a safe environment for students to come where they can learn and have positive interactions with each other and adults. He also trusts the staff to make the right decisions and to do what is best for our students and ourselves.”
Dothan City Schools Transportation Director, Mr. Jay Bruner was named Support of the Year. Mr. Bruner has been a part of Dothan City Schools most of his life. Mr. Bruner has 26 years working within Dothan City Schools. In addition, Mr. Bruner graduated from Northview High School in 1990. He began working for DCS in September of 1996 where he served in the classroom for 17 years teaching Government and Economics at Northview High School. In addition, Mr. Bruner was Northview High School’s girl’s soccer coach for 14 years with a 184-59-8 record which included an appearance in the Class 6A state final four in 2001 and Elite Eight in 2010 and 2011. He was named the Dothan Eagle Coach of the year in 2009 and 2010. In 2013, Mr. Bruner became the Transportation Director for DCS where he currently thrives in making sure the transportation department runs smoothly and kids arrive safely to and from school. This often includes Mr. Bruner driving a bus himself.
Mr. Bruner’s colleagues had the following to say about working with him, “He is an asset to DCS and dedicated to the student needs.” “He is up early and late making sure transportation runs smoothly which often includes driving a bus route.” “I don’t know a person that doesn’t love working with Jay Bruner.”
Dothan City School Employees of the Year were not only awarded these distinct honors. Local community partners and businesses came together to award these recipients with well deserved prizes. District Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year received a Smokey Mountain Weekend prize package with a 2-night stay in Gatlinburg, Tennessee with tickets to Dollywood courtesy of SmartBank.
Dothan City School’s Principal of the Year received a 2-night stay in Miramar Beach, Florida courtesy of Wyatt Sasser Construction. Dothan City Schools Support Person of the Year received a gift certificate for dinner for 4 to Bella’s Fine Dining and movie tickets for 4 as well as delicious desserts from M.Y. Cakes and Pastries courtesy of Dunbarton Corporation.
Additionally, all winners received gift cards from Wharf Casual Seafood.
(Pictured L to R): Jeff Williams, SmartBank; Susan Wilkins, SmartBank; Suzanne Richards, Dothan City Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year; Dr. Dennis Coe, DCS Superintendent; Patrick Mallory, DCS Human Resources Director
(Pictured L to R): Jeff Williams, SmartBank; Susan Wilkins, SmartBank; Ben Lundy, Dothan City Schools Secondary Teacher of the Year; Dr. Dennis Coe, DCS Superintendent; Patrick Mallory, DCS Human Resources Director
(Pictured L to R): Wyatt Sasser, Wyatt Sasser Construction; Calvin Sasser, Wyatt Sasser Construction; Dr. Keith Bland, Dothan City Schools Principal of the Year; Dr. Dennis Coe, DCS Superintendent; Patrick Mallory, DCS Human Resources Director
(Pictured L to R): Deanne Coleman, Dunbarton Corporation; Jay Bruner, Dothan City Schools Support of the Year; Dr. Dennis Coe, DCS Superintendent; Patrick Mallory, DCS Human Resources Director
District Teachers of the Year were selected from this year's Teachers of the Year nominees that will represent their schools for the 2023-2024 school year.
The school nominees are: Early Education: Helen Chrissy Taylor, Dothan City Early Education Center. Primary/Elementary: Alexis Elston, Beverlye Intermediate School; Erin Martin, Girard Primary School; Kecia Evans, Girard Intermediate School; Ne’Eisha Rogers, Heard Elementary School; Tracy Brutley, Hidden Lake Primary School; Victoria Hogan, Highlands Elementary School; Kayla Devore, Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School; Crystal Forehand, Kelly Springs Elementary School; Valerie Paige, Morris Slingluff Elementary School; Robin Hollis, Selma Street Elementary School. Secondary: Brenda Roberts, Carver 9th Grade Academy; Melanie Fore, Dothan High School; Paula Snider, Dothan Technology Center; Meghan Mathus-Goolsby, Dothan City Virtual School; Jason Abercrombie, PASS Academy/ARC.
