Davidson County instructional assistant named N.C. School Hero

Dixie Black wears many hats at her school. Classroom assistant. Substitute bus driver. First responder. Diabetes care manager. Now, she can add one more: N.C. School Hero.

Black, an instructional assistant at Pilot Elementary School in Thomasville, will usually start her day at 6:20 a.m. to drive a bus route. She makes sure to greet each child who steps onto her bus by name and can usually be seen back at school after her route serving breakfast in the cafeteria. In class, she is constantly offering assistance to kids struggling in a subject or teaching a whole class if one of her teachers is called away.

“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!”

Her commitment to supporting her school and very one of her students is what led to Black’s selection as a 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.”

The North Carolina Education Lottery created the N.C. School Heroes campaign to showcase the positive impacts teachers, principals, and other school workers have in public schools every day. From 6,000 nominations, ten heroes were chosen with each receiving a $10,000 award and $10,000 for their school.

First and fourth graders gathered in the school’s multi-purpose room to cheer and clap for their school hero. Others watched the presentation as it was live-streamed through YouTube Live to their classrooms.

“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.”

Money raised by the lottery assists many of those School Heroes, including $386 million this year that supports the work of school support staff such as office assistants and custodians. Additional money will help build and repair schools, support the N.C. Pre-K program for “at-risk” four-year-olds, provide college scholarships and grants based on financial need, and help meet school transportation needs. For details on how $9.6 million in lottery funds made a difference in Davidson County, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website, www.nclottery.com.