Jill Buchanan began her teaching career in 1994 as an Interrelated Special Education Teacher with the Douglas County School System. After 8 years with Douglas County, she has been working at Dorsett Shoals Elementary School for the last 16 years, teaching students with Moderate Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism. Her strengths in teaching are shown when working with students who exhibit learning disabilities and/or emotional and behavioral disorders.

Jill’s educational track is a testament to her passion for working with students who exhibit disabilities, as she graduated with honors from the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Special Education. She attributes having a great foundational knowledge about special need students to her college professor, Dr. Meg Cooper and received invaluable hands-on training from a former colleague, Ms. Carol Coulter that she continues to utilize in her teaching style today.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is proud to announce a new community recognition program – the AJC Celebrating Teachers Awards. We believe the very best of the best are worth honoring and giving them the recognition they deserve. This will be a moment of significant pride for the honoree, their family and school.

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Orange Crush event organizers George Turner and Steven Smalls at the Tybee Pier on March 6, 2025 on Tybee Island, GA.(Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Justin Taylor for The Atlanta Journal Constitution