Patreece Hutcherson

Patreece Lynette Hutcherson takes immense pride in her lifelong journey as both a student learner and public-school educator. Her commitment to learning began early as a kindergartener at Spelman Nursery School in Atlanta, Georgia. She completed her most formative years within the Atlanta Public School System, attending M. Agnes Jones Elementary School and Booker T. Washington High School. It was during these years that she formed enduring friendships, a keen sense of community, and values that continue to shape her personal and professional life. 

Patreece earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, and a Master of Arts in Educational Studies with a concentration in Counselor Education from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Demonstrating her continued dedication to professional growth, she returned to higher education after more than 20 years and, in July 2025, earned her third degree from the University of West Georgia, an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Professional Counseling. 

Since 2002, Patreece has served as a public educator in the field of professional school counseling, bringing over 23 years of experience across elementary, middle, and high school settings. Her professional appointments include Academy of Lithonia Charter School (2002–2005) in DeKalb County; Turner Middle School (2005–2007); North Douglas Elementary School (2007–2017); and Chapel Hill High School (2017–present), all within the Douglas County School System. These diverse experiences have provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the full spectrum of student growth and development, enabling her to advocate effectively for students, families, and the broader community while also preparing students for life beyond high school. 

Patreece is actively engaged in numerous professional organizations that intentionally work to preserve public education, including the National Education Association (NEA), Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), Douglas County Association of Educators (DCAE), Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education (GACTE), Georgia Marketing Education Association (GMEA), and the American School Counseling Association (ASCA). In 2021, the school counseling department with which she works received national recognition through ASCA’s RAMP (Recognized ASCA Model Program) certification. Most recently, Patreece was honored with the Counseling & Career Development Professional Award at both the district and state levels in 2025. At her current school, she helped to establish a club, Todos Juntos, that actively works to provide academic support for Hispanic families. She is also a co-leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). 

She prides herself on being an inclusive and engaged citizen, actively participating in community and national organizations dedicated to preserving humanity and defending human rights for all people.

She believes that “All Are Welcome Here” should be the guiding principle for public schools and public agencies, which must serve everyone without prejudice.

Driven by this belief, Patreece advocates for the most marginalized communities, including transgender youth, immigrant families, people experiencing homelessness or poverty, individuals with mental
disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. Her community and national memberships include Necessary Trouble, the ACLU, the Human Rights Campaign, Georgia Equality, and Georgia Working Families. She is also affiliated with the Black Slate at the Shrine of the Black Madonna, 10,000 Fearless with the Nation of Islam, the Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc., and the Metropolitan Atlanta Baptist Ministers Union.

She lives by the motto, “None of us are free until all of us are free.” 

Education runs deep in Patreece’s family. She is the daughter of Rev. Dr. Matthew Hutcherson II, a college professor of philosophy and religion, and the late Gracie Middlebrooks Hutcherson, a Spelman College alumna. Patreece’s mother was a lifelong educator and early childhood specialist who taught for more than 30 years at the Spelman College Nursery School/Marian Wright Edelman Center, served as its director, and later worked with Atlanta Public Schools. Both parents were actively involved in building the King Center in the 1980s, working alongside civil rights leaders and mentors, including Martin L. King, Sr. “Daddy King”, Coretta Scott King, Dr. Christine King Farris, Ralph David Abernathy Sr., James Orange, Hosea Williams, and “Able” Mable Thomas. This commitment to education and service continues across generations: Patreece’s older brother, Matthew Hutcherson III, is a graduate of Atlanta Public Schools and a Morehouse College alumnus, and her son, Lincoln Fletcher, is a freshman at Morehouse College, continuing the legacy. 

Driven by a deep commitment to preserving and strengthening public education, Patreece Hutcherson remains steadfast in her mission to empower students, support families, and build stronger communities, believing that every child’s future matters.