MCBOE Names Auditorium After Dobbins

The Montgomery County Board of Education recently recognized one of the district’s most dedicated educators at their meeting on Tuesday, April 22, as the Board renamed the school’s auditorium after Patricia Dobbins.

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to be the most special place in this whole building. I love the auditorium more than any room. It is so gorgeous,” Superintendent Ronda Hightower remarked. “It is a very special place that we are dedicating to a very special lady.”

Dobbins previously dedicated 46 years of her life to teaching students within Montgomery County Schools, and has never waivered as a faithful supporter of the school system. Several months ago, the Board voted to dedicate the auditorium located within the Montgomery County Board of Education to Dobbins. Following the vote, Assistant Superintendent Scott Barrow worked with the Dobbins family to decide what wording should be on the plaque displayed in front of the auditorium and to plan the dedication ceremony.

“Mrs. Dobbins, I’ve known you for 9 years now that I have been here, and my family has known you for decades,” Barrow told the honoree. “We all love you and appreciate you.”

Superintendent Hightower also spoke about the honoree. “I hear and have learned [that Mrs. Dobbins] has invested a lot in her students since her very first day in this building,” she began.

Hightower continued, highlighting Dobbins’ joyful spirit and her willingness to still offer to help the school however she can, even after retirement. “When she first officially met me, she told me, ‘If I can help you in any way, please let me know.’ That speaks a lot and the fact you have invested that attitude, work ethic, and those high standards in so many of our kids is incredible,” she emphasized. “I appreciate everything that you have done for Montgomery County, and I know everyone in this room does as well.”

“I’m lost for words. You truly don’t know what this means to me,” Dobbins told the Board. “Our family has always loved this school, this county, these people – everything about it. We always will. I love the children here, the parents, and everything. We go back a long way.”

She shared her first memories in the auditorium, as she stressed what a special place it was to her. “I will never, ever forget my first experience in the auditorium. We had a special needs class back then, [and] I took those children and we put on a program on this stage in this building. You just don’t know what that meant to me. It was a blessing,” she reminisced, thanking the Board for the honor.

Board Members Allen Williamson and Henry Price shared that they both had been taught by Dobbins in kindergarten, and spoke of her excellence both inside and outside the classroom.

“If you look up the word ‘legacy’ in the dictionary, there should be a picture of her beside it,” Williamson began. “There’s not an individual that lives in this county – I don’t think – that doesn’t know who you are and care for you.”

He also highlighted the several generations of teachers that Dobbins has inspired, including her own children and grandchildren who currently work as teachers and coaches. “It is not only what you have created, but two generations directly under you pouring into children in this county and other counties as well. And I’m sure that with their kids, they’ll probably continue that on.”

“Your family has done great for me and the other kids in this surrounding area, so thank you,” Williamson concluded.

Price echoed several of Williamson’s sentiments, saying, “In the mid-1980’s, Mrs. Dobbins was my kindergarten teacher. We’ve come full circle – it’s been a long time. You have been great, you have been wellloved, and your family has made a great impact in Montgomery County. We appreciate that impact.”

He added, “Long after we are all gone, people will remember what the Dobbins family did for Montgomery County. We appreciate the blood, sweat, and tears that your family has put into this school system. And thank you for being the legacy and matriarch that kept everything going.”

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Beard explained that Dobbins had taught Beard’s daughter and grandsons, and she was grateful for the work which the retired teacher had done for the County. “Mrs. Dobbins, you have been a blessing to this community,” Beard emphasized. “You really mean a lot to me.”

Superintendent Hightower opened the floor for any family, friends, or community members to speak about the impact which Dobbins had on them. Several former Montgomery County High School Girls Basketball Team members that had played under Dobbins’ late husband Mayes Dobbins spoke on the kindness which Dobbins had shown them even before being a teacher.

“She didn’t teach me in school, but she taught me way before she started in the school system,” Penny Anne Ennis began. “Her husband was my basketball coach – but behind every good man is a good woman. When we went on basketball trips, she was there. When we needed something, we knew who to go to. For many, many years, she helped this community and kids.”

Another former player added, “I just want to say congratulations. May God continue to bless you, Mrs. Dobbins.”

One former player shared that she remembered the warm welcome that Dobbins gave her when she transferred to Montgomery County High School in 9th grade from the Wheeler County School System. “When you come in as a 9th grader, everything has kind of already been set. But Patricia and Mayes and their whole family took me in. I can’t imagine anyone else that this could be dedicated to, or who deserves it more,” the woman remarked.

Dobbins’ pastor David Blaylock also spoke about Dobbins during the ceremony. “When I was a young preacher, the Presbyterian Church here needed a pastor, so they reached into the bottom of the barrel and picked me up,” he began with a chuckle. “They nurtured me for over 9 years. And so, I found in Patricia a woman that Proverbs [discusses]. ‘A virtuous woman, who can find? For her price is far above rubies.’ Another translation I like says, ‘A woman of character, who can find? Her price is far above rubies.’ Patricia Dobbins is that woman of character.”

Blaylock continued, sharing his appreciation for the support that Dobbins had generously shared with himself and his wife.

The ceremony ended as attendees visited the auditorium and continued sharing their congratulations to Dobbins.

INSPIRING GENERATIONS – Retired Montgomery County Schools Teacher Patricia Dobbins has inspired several generations of teachers, including her own children. Front: Patricia Dobbins. Back Row, L to R: Daughter Donna Brice-Sharpton, Daughter Debra Gay.