Dolly Fannin grew up in Elliott County and ended up spending her entire education career with the county’s school system. Now she is the Elliott County superintendent. Submitted photo.
Dolly Fannin has been a part of Elliott County for most of her life. Growing up, she attended and graduated from Elliott County Schools.
After college graduation, Fannin started her career inside the classrooms where she once was a student. Now, 29 years later, she has assumed a new role as the superintendent of Elliott County.
“Being from here helps me because I do not have to start from the beginning by getting to know and meet the community,” she said. “I already know the community because this is home.”
Fannin started her career as an elementary teacher in Elliott County and has held various positions within the district in the years since. The encouragement from family and colleagues helped her to take her career from the classroom to an administrative role that got her where she is today.
“They have been my biggest cheerleaders, telling me that I can do it and have been the reason that I pursued this,” said Fannin.
Fannin was most recently the director of pupil personnel. During her tenure, she brought in roughly $2 million in grant funding for various initiatives within the school systems.
She said she looks forward to providing opportunities for the students and creating an environment for students to thrive.
“I am very thankful for all the encouragement and support from the faculty and staff in our district,” said Fannin. “I will strive to be the best superintendent. I know that we can work as a team to provide the best possible opportunities for our students. My goal is to establish an environment where all parties can flourish.”
In addition to establishing a welcoming and supportive environment, she said another one of her goals includes creating consistent patterns and systems in places.
“We need a system in place that everyone knows why we are doing this and understand the expectations of what we are doing,” said Fannin. “We need to get on board with instruction in our district, we have to support those teachers and get those teachers the resources that they need and the support that they need to be able to make a difference in the classroom for our students.”
These systems will allow everyone to know their roles and the intention behind everything the district is doing. She said it will be important to continue this support not only for educators but everyone in all levels in the district.
“I am excited to get in here and into all of these things that I have in my head that I want to implement,” said Fannin. “Making sure the things that we start that we follow through and we get that support for our teachers so they can help students succeed.”
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