REIDSVILLE -- Amy Dowdle, the Exceptional Children (EC) lead teacher at Rockingham County Middle School, was recently recognized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Exceptional Children's Division as an Educator of Excellence for the 2024-25 school year.
Dowdle's mother used to work at Jamestown Middle School in Guilford County and introduced her daughter to another teacher, Karen Hutson, who welcomed her into her class to volunteer.
"She was the best EC teacher I have ever had the pleasure to observe," Dowdle, 47, said. "Her enthusiasm and love for her job made me want to pursue a career in education."
Then, during high school, Dowdle took a course that provided her the opportunity to work at McIver Education Center in Greensboro.
"I fell in love with the students in that class and saw what a difference I could make in each of their lives," she said.
Those two life-changing experiences led Dowdle to a 25-year career as an educator, 17 years of which she has worked in the Exceptional Children's department at RCMS.
"The students are, by far, the best part of my job," Dowdle said. "I love middle school because you get to see how much they can progress and mature in three short years."
She teaches both resource level and inclusion classes.
"I love the challenge of teaching this age and population," Dowdle said. "Just when you thought you have seen it all, they surprise you in ways you could have never imagined."
Dowdle's favorite quote, which she said also defines her teaching philosophy is, "Every child can learn. Just not on the same day or in the same way."
"All children can learn and make progress at their own pace," she explained. "They just need to have a safe and supportive environment that addresses their unique learning styles."
If a student cannot understand a concept one way, Dowdle believes teachers must be adaptive to meet their needs.
"Students will reach the goals you set for them, so never underestimate them," she said.
Dowdle also is thankful to get to work with "the best coworkers in the world."
"We truly work together to put the students first," she said. "We are a family at RCMS."
Dowdle received a bachelor's degree in Special Education from Appalachian State University and a master's degree in Low Incidence Disabilities from East Carolina University. She started her teaching career at Eastern Guilford Middle School, also working at Northwest Middle School and Mendenhall Middle School before going to Rockingham County Middle.
She grew up in Guilford County, but moved to Rockingham County in 2001. Her husband, Dan, also is an EC teacher at RCMC.
"We started teaching at Eastern Guilford the same year," she said. "We have worked in the same schools for the majority of our teaching careers."
Dowdle has two daughters who went through RCMS. Thea, 19, is a senior at Appalachian State University majoring in Elementary Education, and Rebekah, 15, is a sophomore at Rockingham Early College High School.
"Both are very talented and excel at everything they attempt, but I must admit, I am biased," she said.
Active in the Theatre Guild of Rockingham County for many years, Dowdle serves on their board of directors.
"Although I do not act or sing, my daughters have since a young age," she said. "I have worked backstage and produced many shows."
In her spare time, she loves to travel and spend time with her family.
Dowdle said she is truly humbled and honored to be named an Educator of Excellence for the 2024-25 school year.
"Rockingham County is full of dedicated and hardworking EC teachers; they all deserve accolades for what they do on a daily basis," she said. "It is a challenging job and gets more challenging each year."
Reaching her goal of teaching 30 years in North Carolina is on the horizon, and after that, Dowdle is considering teaching in Virginia for a few years, as she lives only 12 miles from Martinsville.
"My dream would be to travel as much as possible with my family, especially my twin sister," she said. "There are so many places I have not had a chance to explore and want to do so while I am able."
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