Cast your vote to name Petersburg kindergarten teacher ‘America’s Favorite Teacher’

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — A Petersburg Public Schools educator has been named a finalist for “America’s Favorite Teacher.”

According to a May 1 press release from the school division, Dorothy Patterson has been a teacher for 34 years. She currently teaches kindergarten at Walnut Hill Elementary.

“I just love being with children and helping them,” Patterson said in the release. “I am a product of Petersburg City Public Schools, and it was important for me to give back to my community all the love and inspiration that teachers gave me.”

Patterson is in the fifth round of the competition and currently ranks fourth in her group. If she wins “America’s Favorite Teacher,” Patterson will receive several prizes: a trip to Hawaii, $25,000 and a feature in Reader’s Digest.

According to Patterson, she is only thinking of her students when it comes to spending that money.

“I would use it to restructure my classroom and to create a class library,” Patterson said. “Literacy is an area that students are struggling with. I want to ensure that books are always available to them.”

Patterson added that she would like to keep her classroom stocked with supplies, education games and other resources to benefit both the children in her class and their parents.

“We are incredibly proud of Ms. Patterson for this well-deserved recognition,” said Petersburg City Public Schools Board Chair Kenneth Pritchett. “Her dedication to her students and her commitment to creating a positive learning environment are truly inspiring. We encourage everyone to cast their vote and help Ms. Patterson be named America’s Favorite Teacher.”

If you’d like to cast a vote for Patterson, you can do so online until the voting period closes at 7 p.m. PDT on Thursday, May 2.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.