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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.
Tiffany Barnes of Wheeling Middle School is the current West Virginia Teacher of the Year.
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.
For the past month, the department has steadily announced finalists for service personnel, counselor and principal of the year.
All awards will be announced Sept. 8 at the Champions of Learning Gala.