Varner Elementary School in Powder Springs marked the 10th anniversary of its WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) program on Thursday evening, bringing together fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and uncles to support students and staff. The national initiative, which began in Arkansas in 1998 to encourage male involvement in schools, now operates in more than 8,000 schools across the United States.
The kickoff event included pizza for families and recognized the contributions of male role models at Varner. Participants help with afternoon car lines, patrol school grounds during the day, and greet students on “high-five Fridays” to encourage a positive start to their day.
Tony Tesmer, a speech therapist who introduced WATCH D.O.G.S. to Varner Elementary ten years ago, was honored at the event. Principal Althea Singletary invited Jim Walters, president of the national WATCH D.O.G.S. organization, who surprised Tesmer by presenting him with the National WATCH D.O.G. of the Year Award—only the third time this award has been given.
“There are thousands of schools doing exactly what you guys are doing all over the country, because this is the right thing to do – but there’s not a lot of schools doing it as well as y’all here at Varner,” Walters said.
Tesmer expressed his appreciation for both the recognition and for those involved in the program.
“I didn’t expect the award,” he said. “I would do this year after year without the recognition. I meet great dads that I have bonds with, and they become like best friends.”
He described how participation is voluntary but meaningful: “These dads, they don’t have to do it, but they want to,” he said. “It means the world to me to see these guys. They have energy, and I feed off their energy and they feed it back. I couldn’t be prouder of my dads that are here.”
Tesmer’s commitment extends beyond his own family; he has three children—two in college and one in eighth grade—and aims to expand male involvement district-wide.
Fellow volunteer Drexel Cook reflected on his long friendship with Tesmer through their shared work with WATCH D.O.G.S., noting how Tesmer’s enthusiasm has remained strong over time.
“Initially, I was like, ‘Who is this bald guy bothering me about joining?'” Cook joked.
“When I say he loves WATCH D.O.G.S., he really loves WATCH D.O.G.S.,” Cook said. “We’ll be sitting and watching a game and all of a sudden he says, ‘Hey, you know the WATCH D.O.G.S…’ Like Tony, chill. Watch the game, enjoy the game. We’ll talk about it later.”
Cook emphasized that being part of WATCH D.O.G.S. made him realize his influence reaches beyond his own children: “It made me be present for my kids, and be present for kids who don’t have that father figure and need that father figure,” Cook said. “I look beyond my family. All your kids are my kids.”
Reflecting on recent milestones such as his daughter’s graduation brought back memories from earlier years volunteering at Varner.
Tesmer pointed out that while most school staff members are women, having men visible as role models is important for students’ development as well as safety: “With the world we live in today, we need to have every day of our school covered with at least one WATCH D.O.G.” He added that regular presence by volunteers reduces risks within schools.
Looking ahead,Tesmer hopes more area schools will adopt similar programs so every student can benefit from supportive adult relationships: “I think I could make a difference on a larger proportion because I’d like to do this level at every school,” he said.
“I want to do this at all three levels across the entire district because it’s that important,” Tesmer said.”It’s that important to me to be that persistent because family matters.”
