THOMASVILLE, N.C. — Dixie Black wears serval different hats at Pilot Elementary School from classroom assistant, substitute bus driver, first responder, to diabetes care manager.
Now she can add another title to the list, N.C. School Hero!
Black, an instructional assistant at the school, starts her days off early, greeting each child by name who steps onto her bus during her morning bus route.
Often times Black can be seen right back at the school after her route serving breakfast in the cafeteria.
“It is not unheard of that Dixie gets back on a school bus to drive a P.M. route or monitor for another driver, ending her day around 4,” said co-worker, Susie Hepler, who does educational, technology, and media support at the school. “She is a true school hero!”
As far as the classroom goes, Black gets it done there as well, offering help to kids struggling in a subject or sometimes even teaching a whole class if a teacher is called away.
With a track record like Black's, it's not hard to see what led to her selection as N.C. School Hero.
“Amazing,” said Black as she was honored. “Everybody deserves this. No one gets into this for the money. It’s for the children. That’s what I am here for.”
It was all claps and cheers in the school’s multi-purpose room where students and faculty gathered to root for their school hero.
Other students at the school were able to take part in the celebration via youtube, as it was also streamed live.
The North Carolina Education Lottery created the N.C. School Heroes campaign to display the positive impacts teachers, principals, and other school workers have in public schools every day.
From 6,000 nominations, ten heroes were chosen each receiving a $10,000 award and $10,000 for their school.
“There are thousands of heroes like Dixie Black doing amazing work in our public schools,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “Teachers, cafeteria workers, custodians, school resource officers, all make a big difference for our students every day. We’re glad our School Heroes program shines a spotlight on their great work.”
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