This week, before emancipation, Appalachia provided pathways to freedom for enslaved people trying to escape bondage. A new project identifies more than two dozen previously unknown underground railroad sites. Also, the Fly Around Music & Arts Festival in North Carolina was inspired by the hard work that followed Hurricane Helene. And, a ballad about floods recorded a generation ago still provides solace for people today.
The 2027 Teacher of the Year Finalists from left to right: Nicole Mattingly, Dr. Stefanie Cirilli, Laura Presley, Heather Hartman and Morgan Bricker.Courtesy of the West Virginia Department of Education
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The state has identified its top educators, with one to be named Teacher Of The Year soon.
The West Virginia Department of Education has announced five finalists for the 2027 West Virginia Teacher of the Year award.
They include a high school English and student media teacher from Hancock County, an elementary reading specialist from Ohio County and a science teacher from the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
The 2027 TOY finalists are:
Name
School
County
Morgan Bricker
Weir High School
Hancock
Dr. Stefanie Cirilli
Elm Grove Elementary School
Ohio
Heather Hartman
West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
Hampshire
Nicole Mattingly
Clay-Battelle Middle/High School
Monongalia
Laura Presley
Princeton Senior High School
Mercer
“It is often said that the teaching profession is the gateway to all other professions, and these finalists embody this in everything they do for students,” Michele Blatt, state superintendent of schools, said in a press release. “Our public schools are full of educators who strive daily to ensure every student is preparing for a successful future. I am proud of them and these five educators who are ambassadors for our schools and advocates for the children of West Virginia.”
Since 1964, the West Virginia Teacher of the Year program has honored educators who go above and beyond to elevate the profession and positively shape the lives of students. The state’s program recognizing educators remains one of the largest and longest-running programs of its kind in the nation.
Winners of the award become eligible for the National Teacher of the Year award and receive a variety of gifts from the award’s sponsors. The winner is also requested to maintain a relationship with the WVDE for one year during which they have the opportunity to give lectures, provide consultations, and participate in other activities with the department.
On this West Virginia Week, the board of education is in charge of rulemaking for schools according to a ruling from the Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Sen. Jim Justice is admonished and a rule to weaken silica limits in mines is proposed.
The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia ruled Friday that rulemaking by the State Board of Education is within the meaning of 'general supervision' of state schools pursuant to the West Virginia Constitution and that a 2025 law interfering with that rulemaking is unconstitutional.
More than 1,600 counties in the U.S. are so-called news deserts - places with limited options for local news. Most of West Virginia’s 55 counties fall into that category. In this encore episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay visits one online startup in Greenbrier County that’s bucking the trend.
