Dodd taught initially at several schools, and from 1892 at Owens College, part of Victoria University of Manchester, as "first mistress of method".
[1][2] A student of hers at the time recalled, "She made us enthusiastic about our profession, giving us ideals to strive for, and above all others, deserves the title of pioneer.
"[3] A colleague of hers at Owens College, Samuel Alexander, interviewed much later, said Dodd had "swept her students into the whirlwind of her own energy and enthusiasm and faith in the value of pedagogy.
"[4] In 1903, Dodd founded privately in Manchester the experimental College House School, based on Froebel principles, which also embraced ideas from the German educational philosopher Johann Friedrich Herbart (1776–1841).
[1] Dodd moved to Oxford in 1905 to be Principal of Cherwell Hall teacher training college and headmistress of Milham Ford School.