Dana Peterson came to Oak Hill Middle School as a student teacher.
Eighteen years later, she still hasn’t left.
Oak Hill Middle’s 2026 Teacher of the Year grew up in Conyers in a family where sports were always part of life. Both of her parents were athletes, and she knew early on that a career spent sitting behind a desk probably wasn’t for her.
She initially entered college as an information technology major before realizing she wanted something that would let her combine two things she loved: being active and working with young people. Physical education turned out to be the answer.
Peterson has spent her entire career at Oak Hill, teaching students not simply how to play a sport, but how to find ways to stay active throughout their lives.
When she first began student teaching in Milledgeville, she noticed that many students were most familiar with football and basketball. She saw an opportunity to introduce them to something more. “I realized when I was student teaching here that this town is a lot of football and basketball,” Peterson said. “To be able to take them into my class and teach them that there are other sports, there are other activities that you can be involved in ... that’s what really appeals to teaching the PE part of physical education.”
That philosophy has guided her through nearly two decades at Oak Hill.
When Peterson first started, the school had as many as 1,200 to 1,400 students, and class sizes could be large. She quickly learned one of the first lessons every new teacher eventually discovers: what works perfectly in a college textbook doesn’t always work exactly the same way with real students.
So she adjusted. “I take what I’m given and I make it work,” Peterson said. “And it’s still enjoyable for the kids, no matter if it’s 12 kids or if it’s 64 kids.”
Peterson believes one of the most important parts of teaching is simply being genuine with students.
“I’m going to be honest, and I’m going to do it the best that I can do it,” she said.
That honesty helps her build relationships, including with students who may be harder to reach.
Her advice for new teachers reflects the same philosophy. “Don’t be overwhelmed. Take it day by day,” Peterson said. “Whether you realize it or not, you’re making a difference.”
Even the student who seems determined not to connect with a teacher, she said, can often be reached through patience and a genuine relationship. “As long as you’re real and upfront with the kids, they see you as a human and they will respond,” she said. “Even if you reach one kid a day, it makes a difference.”
After 18 years, Peterson has certainly reached more than one.
Although this is Peterson’s first Teacher of the Year honor, her work at Oak Hill extends well beyond her regular PE classes.
Soccer remains her favorite sport, both to teach and coach. In the last four years, Peterson’s Oak Hill boys soccer teams have won three championships and finished second once.
However, some of her biggest hopes for the future involve creating even more opportunities for students with disabilities. Peterson would like to expand adaptive physical education and explore Special Olympics or unified sports opportunities so students can participate in activities beyond the school day.
“I take pride in making sure they feel like they are part of the class,” Peterson said. She also hopes the continued success of Oak Hill will encourage people to see the school for what she has experienced during nearly two decades there.
“We’ve got great teachers here. We’ve got great leadership,” Peterson said. “It’s a great school to come to.”
- Contributed