Instructor

Dawn Burnette is truly excited to be part of the Excelsior family as an English teacher! Dawn holds a B.A. in English Education/Journalism from Lenoir-Rhyne University and an M.A. in English Education from Georgia State University. She has also earned National Board Certification and gifted endorsement. While teaching English at a public high school for 15 years, Dawn served as English department chair, coached a nationally ranked dance team, and won a few local, state, and national teaching awards. Dawn loves sharing her passion for reading and writing, and she works tirelessly to help students reach their academic potential and to glorify God in all pursuits. Soli Deo Gloria!

When it was time for their children to start school, Dawn and her husband Rod moved the family from an Atlanta suburb to the North Georgia mountains, acquired way too many animals, and spent the next 12 years homeschooling. Their daughter Ansley graduated from Samford University in 2022 and works at Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and their son Beck graduated from and played collegiate golf at Lee University and the University of Georgia and began playing professional golf in 2024.

Since 2003, Dawn has written language arts curriculum materials for DGP Publishing and has traveled all over the country teaching workshops for other teachers and parents. Sometimes she has been called a crazy grammar lady, a title she embraces wholeheartedly! Dawn also writes articles for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and taught English, journalism, and drama at her local homeschool co-op for many years.

When Dawn isn’t teaching, she and her husband enjoy reading, exercising, traveling, volunteering, playing with their pets, and visiting their children.

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