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 recently graduated from Samford University with a double major in English and Theatre and works at Sight & Sound in Pennsylvania, and their son Beck is a Communication major on a golf scholarship at Lee University.

Since 2003, Dawn has written language arts curriculum 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 has taught English, journalism, and drama at her local homeschool co-op since 2007.

When she isn’t teaching, Dawn enjoys reading, exercising, traveling, and volunteering at her church, her local saddle club, and her local animal rescue. She is not, however, bringing home any more animals—for now!

​