Title: Special Education Teacher
Company: Mount Vernon Middle School
Location: Mount Vernon, Ohio, United States
Patti Dice, MAT, special education teacher at Mount Vernon Middle School, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in special education.
Ms. Dice has dedicated her entire professional career to Mount Vernon Middle School, where she has served as a special education teacher since 1991. Over the course of 35 years, she has established herself as an expert in special education at the middle school level, demonstrating a deep commitment to supporting students with diverse learning needs. In her current role, Ms. Dice teaches three classes of inclusion, works within general education classrooms and conducts specialized learning sessions for students who face challenges in the standard curriculum. She is recognized for designing individualized lessons tailored to each student’s unique requirements and for managing classrooms with a wide range of learning abilities.
Ms. Dice’s responsibilities also include collaborating on individualized education programs (IEPs) and evaluation team reports (ETRs) to ensure that students are appropriately placed and receive the necessary support. She is known for providing minimal homework to reinforce learning without overwhelming her students. The highlight of Ms. Dice’s career has been the profound impact she has made through nurturing relationships with students and their families. Many former students invite her to significant life events such as weddings, and she continues to serve as a mentor and support figure long after they leave her classroom.
Ms. Dice’s professional affiliations reflect her dedication to advancing educational standards and supporting fellow educators. She is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa’s Gamma Chapter, the Ohio Education Association, the National Education Association and the North Central Ohio Education Association.
Ms. Dice’s academic background has played a pivotal role in shaping her approach to teaching and mentoring. She earned a master’s degree in the art of teaching and elementary literacy from Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan, which provided her with advanced strategies for literacy instruction and classroom management. Ms. Dice also holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, equipping her with foundational knowledge in pedagogy and child development. Additionally, she is licensed in education of the handicapped (kindergarten through grade 12), which has enabled her to effectively address the needs of students with disabilities across all grade levels.
Ms. Dice attributes her success to her ability to build lasting, meaningful relationships with students and their families—connections that extend well beyond the classroom environment. Her passion for helping children succeed both academically and personally inspired her initial involvement in education as a tutor before she transitioned into full-time teaching.
Born and raised in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Ms. Dice has remained closely connected to her community throughout her life. She considers many former students to be part of her extended family, maintaining bonds that endure long after their time in her classroom. She maintains one especially significant relationship with a former student whose child affectionately calls her “Mimi,” making Ms. Dice a cherished grandmother figure within that family. She is deeply devoted to her own family members and finds fulfillment in mentoring, supporting and actively participating in the lives of those around her.
Looking ahead, Ms. Dice intends to continue teaching for as long as possible while striving toward new personal milestones such as paying off her home and traveling after retirement. She is also considering opportunities for consulting within the field of education following her eventual retirement from classroom teaching.
For more information, please visit:
Mount Vernon Middle School Profile
Contact Ms. Dice: