Title: Exceptional Education Teacher
Company: DeKalb County School District
Location: Tucker, Georgia, United States
Michelle Dodds Deverakis, an exceptional education teacher at the DeKalb County School District, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in special education.
Across nearly 30 years, Ms. Deverakis has become a well-regarded special education teacher. Her career journey began in 1996 when she became a pre-kindergarten lead teacher at Primrose School. After three years, Ms. Deverakis became associated with the DeKalb County School District, beginning a ten-year tenure as a kindergarten teacher. As her time at the DeKalb County School District progressed, she took on increasing responsibility as a teacher, teacher support specialist and coach — many roles that she still fills to this day.
While working at DeKalb County School District, Ms. Deverakis discovered her most powerful calling as a special education teacher. She joined DeKalb County’s exceptional education department, which works to meet the needs of students eligible for special education services. In this position, Ms. Deverakis has showcased her ability to teach every grade from preschool to 12th grade. Additionally, she collaborates with other teachers in the district, making sure they have the resources necessary to succeed and offering them strategies for handling difficult scenarios. Over her decades of experience, Ms. Deverakis has internalized many lessons and tactics for running a classroom. She makes a point of sharing those strategies with her colleagues to help improve results for the entire school district.
Before venturing onto her vocational path, Ms. Deverakis set a solid foundation in her own schooling. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and teaching from Bryan College in 1991. Subsequently, Ms. Deverakis earned a Master of Education in elementary education and teaching from the American InterContinental University in 2005. In 2024, she completed a Specialist in Education in early childhood education and teaching via Walden University. Ms. Deverakis considers becoming a teacher support coaching specialist to be the biggest highlight of her career.
Known for her contributions as a civic-minded citizen, Ms. Deverakis offers her time and energy to many causes outside of her work. She volunteers with reading bowls and technology fairs. Ms. Deverakis has served as a soccer coach at DeKalb County schools in addition to her regular responsibilities. She is also a supporter of the Special Olympics.
Ms. Deverakis has garnered several awards to commemorate her accomplishments. She has been inducted into Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers twice, in 2004 and 2005. Ms. Deverakis was invited to join the Golden Key International Honour Society in 2024. This institution celebrates the academic achievements and leadership of graduate and undergraduate students and is restricted to students in the top 15% of their classes. Ms. Deverakis credits her success to the unwavering support of her father. She views teaching as a 24/7 job, which is why she prioritizes making herself available at all times and leads teacher training sessions even during summer months.
Beyond her professional life, Ms. Deverakis is a devoted wife and mother to four children. She loves animals and her family includes two cats. Looking ahead, Ms. Deverakis is aiming to set up her colleagues and students for success while planning to retire once she has reached 30 years in her profession. Even after retiring, however, she plans to stay involved in education, hoping to teach college courses.
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