Above And Beyond Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Alexa Bushovisky Honored With West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above And Beyond Award

Alexa Bushovisky, a science teacher at John Marshall High School in Marshall County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Award for September, 2024. This award recognizes excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers.

Bushovisky was presented the award by WVPB’s Education team with a surprise visit to her classroom. She received a monetary award and a signature Blenko Glass blue apple paperweight. The West Virginia State Treasurers’ Office, facilitator of the SMART529 college savings program in the Mountain State, sponsors the award.

Bushovisky’s dedication to teaching and leadership in extracurricular activities have made an impact that extends well beyond the classroom. John Marshall High School’s Science Department Chair, Kathleen Loughman, nominated Bushovisky, emphasizing her commitment to creating opportunities for her students. “She provides students with opportunities that they may never have otherwise,” Kathleen wrote. “She fundraises all year to make these experiences possible for students from all backgrounds.” As the Outdoor Club advisor, Bushovisky organizes outdoor adventures like hiking and skiing trips, giving students a chance to explore their state and connect with nature.

Alexa Bushovisky shares a joyful hug with Kathleen Loughman, Science Department Chair, after being surprised to learn that Kathleen nominated her for the Above and Beyond Award.

*Photo courtesy of Tony Wood/Marshall County Schools*

Her dedication to her students shines through in the classroom as well. “It’s great to see when students truly get a difficult concept and have those ah-ha moments,” she shared. Mrs. Bushovisky takes pride in making connections with her students and encouraging them to grow both academically and personally. “I enjoy encouraging them to be better versions of themselves.”

Bushovisky’s involvement extends beyond teaching. She plays an active role in organizing and supporting school and community events that foster student engagement and service. From fundraisers to student-led initiatives, she creates opportunities for students to contribute to their community and feel supported. “Students need to know they are supported and that someone cares,” she explained.

When asked what advice she would give to educators and community members looking to make a difference, Bushovisky encouraged taking an active role in supporting students. “If you want to make the world a better place, find small ways to support the youth of our community. Times are tough, and life is hard. Our students need to know there are better things to do and get involved in.” She advocates for making even small contributions to help students explore the world around them.

Bushovisky’s Above and Beyond Award is a testament to her dedication as both a teacher and a leader. Her ability to create opportunities for students and her hands-on approach have made her a cherished figure at John Marshall High School. As Kathleen Loughman said, “she never asks others to do what she would not—she always leads by example.”

Each month, WVPB has an esteemed panel of judges that select one deserving teacher who goes above and beyond for the students in West Virginia. If you know of a deserving teacher who goes “Above and Beyond,” please click here to nominate them.

Mathew Anderson Honored With West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above And Beyond Award

Mathew Anderson, a Special Education teacher at Divide Elementary School in Fayette County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Award for May, 2024. This award recognizes the excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers.

Anderson received a monetary award and a signature Blenko Glass blue apple paperweight. The West Virginia State Treasurers’ Office, facilitator of the SMART529 college savings program in the Mountain State, sponsors the award.

Anderson just completed his 10^th year of teaching which includes his 6^th year teaching special education. Over the course of his 10 years, he has taught elementary, middle and high school. He explains his love for teaching. “The one thing I love most about teaching special education is the students all have different styles of learning and different personalities. It’s an amazing experience to see kids learn and when you have different personalities within a certain setting, it always makes for a fun time teaching.

I find it’s very important to have social skills, environmental skills, and see how society functions on the daily basis.”

His students participate in activities with general education students including field trips which have included The Pumpkin Patch, Oakes Family Farm, a movie theater, an animal shelter, and a Dirty Birds Baseball game in Charleston. This helps his students become comfortable in a variety of experiences, see new things, view life in a different way and develop socialization skills. He always tries to make the trips as sensory friendly as possible. Anderson believes when he is able to bring students “out of their shell” and help them develop the confidence to socialize and communicate outside the classroom it is a major accomplishment.

Anderson’s students are also engaged in community service activities. One example is the annual school drive to support the New River Humane Society. Anderson’s students love participating in this activity. They help with the collection of donated items – everything from dog and cat food to cleaning supplies, treats and beds. His students “run the numbers” each day to see which class donated the most items. In 2023, Divide Elementary was able to donate over 500 items to the animal shelter.

Away from school Anderson operates a small business, which also supports the students and staff at Divide Elementary and in the community. They provided items needed by students, staff appreciation breakfasts in several schools, and scholarships for local students who are pursuing a degree in a business related major.

Anderson is a graduate of Glenville State University with a Behavioral Science Degree in Criminal Justice and received a Masters Degree in Special Education through Grand Canyon University. He will be teaching in a severe and profound classroom at Summersville Middle School in the fall of 2024. Each month, WVPB has an esteemed panel of judges that select one deserving teacher who goes above and beyond for students in West Virginia. If you know of a deserving teacher who goes “Above and Beyond” please click here to nominate them.

Vickie Hensley Honored With West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above And Beyond Award

Vickie Hensley, a U.S. History teacher at George Washington High School in Kanawha County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Award for April, which recognizes excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers.

Vickie Hensley, a U.S. History teacher at George Washington High School in Kanawha County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Award for April 2024, which recognizes excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers.

Hensley was presented the award by WVPB’s Education team with a surprise visit to her classroom. She received a monetary award and a signature Blenko Glass blue apple paperweight. The West Virginia State Treasurers’ Office sponsors the award, presenter of the SMART529 college savings program in the Mountain State.

Hensley was nominated by several of her students who expressed their gratitude for her teaching strategies, passion for the subject and inclusive and stimulating classroom atmosphere.

One student nominee, Ameera Mustafa, said, “Another amazing aspect of Mrs. Hensley’s teaching is her use of creativity is assignments. It’s especially easy for History to become a boring subject, but I remember multiple times where I had fun doing classwork or homework. Most of all, knowing it was Mrs. Hensley who was grading it pushed me to try my best. Knowing how much passion she has for teaching encouraged me to improve as a student. She is one of the kindest and genuine individuals I, and many of my peers, have ever met.”

Pictured are several of Vickie Hensley’s students. Hensley (center) is WVPB’s April 2024 Above and Beyond winner. Next to her (left) is George Washington High School Principal Jim Crawford. On the far right of the photo (front) is Ameera Mustafa, who was one of the student’s who nominated Hensley for the award. Mustafa was also one of WVPB’s student journalists during the 2024 season of *The Legislature Today*.

*Photo Credit: Autumn Meadows/West Virginia Public Broadcasting*

Hensley has been teaching for 23 years, and she loves engaging the students. She said she creates an environment where the students know they are important. She said, “They are 100% the reason why I am there, and while they are in my classroom, the world really does revolve around them.” She also enjoys when students ask the hard questions and she has to tell them she’ll have to get back to them and model that learning is a lifelong process.

One of her favorite concepts to teach in the classroom is the Constitution Era. Hensley said she loves to see students connect this living document to their every day lives. “That’s why students always get their own copy of their ‘handy-dandy pocket constitution’ to use in class.”

Hensley also uses a civics program called Project Citizen in the classroom. The program is designed to help students learn about issues within their community and then create a potential policy and plan to implement the policy. “We have looked at everything from expanding school curriculum, therapy dogs in high schools to community drug intervention teams.”

In addition to the classroom, Hensley is also a co-advisor for the George Washington National Honor Society and a teacher with WV Learns, the online platform for students in West Virginia. The National Honor Society students focus on leadership and focus. “I am very proud of how active our students are in our school chapter.”

Mustafa finished the nomination with, “Mrs. Hensley’s approach to education and community involvement truly makes a positive impact on both students and the community at large.”

Leininger Goes Above And Beyond At Moorefield Elementary School

Dawnell Leininger, a second grade teacher at Moorefield Elementary School in Hardy County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Award for March 2024, which recognizes excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers.

Leininger was presented the award by WVPB’s Education Director Maggie Holley during the students’ lunch and was surprised to also have her husband in attendance. She received a monetary award and a signature Blenko Glass blue apple paperweight. The West Virginia State Treasurers’ Office sponsors the award, presenter of the SMART529 college savings program in the Mountain State.

Leininger has been a teacher for 11 years and was nominated by her daughter Abigail for her compassion, creativity and hard work in the classroom.

“Mrs. Leininger is constantly looking for new ways to help her students grow,” said her daughter. She mentions her mother’s active involvement in the school’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) days, coordinating holiday programs, creating a new class behavior program, volunteering to deliver meals to children and creative strategies for supporting the English Language Learners in her classroom.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Leininger also volunteers to be a mentor for teachers in training. These student teachers will observe and teach different lessons. Leininger says she enjoys being able to help others find resources and by sharing some tricks she’s learned that has made classroom management easier over the years. She is also always sure to check in with the newer teachers and long-term substitute teachers in the building.

(left to right) Moorefield Elementary School Assistant Principal Shanda Walker, WVPB’s March 2024 Above and Beyond winner Dawnell Leininger and Moorefield Elementary School Principal Wade Armentrout.

*Photo Credit: Autumn Meadows/West Virginia Public Broadcasting*

The demographics of Leininger’s school is unlike others in West Virginia. They have a large variety of languages represented in their school whether it be their parents work at a local factory, they’re refugees or other circumstances. Leininger and her colleagues go above and beyond to make sure all English Language Learners are supported by adapting lessons, providing labels, and coming up with games and activities to make learning new letters and sounds fun. They also are sure to include the variety of customs during holidays. “It is amazing to watch a student come here without any knowledge of our language and pick up the words so quickly. They have such a zeal to learn as much as they can.”

Leininger also helps organize a Thanksgiving program every year. “The classes work together to perform a short skit. One skit is a traditional telling of the Pilgrims landing in America, the other skit is a cute skit told from the perspective of a turkey begging Congress to pardon him and his family from being the main course at Thanksgiving. We have rewritten the play to include our therapy dog as a character as well.” They have also begun to add a Veteran’s Day portion to the program that showcases photographs of students’ family members that have served or are currently serving as a slideshow while guests are arriving.

When asked what her favorite activity in the classroom would be, Leininger said March Madness Dr. Seuss style. This consists of a bracket of 16 Dr. Seuss books, and when each class reads a book, they vote on their favorites. Leininger’s class then adds up the votes from the entire school. “The students love hearing the results on the announcements.”

In addition to holiday programs, STEM days and mentoring, Leininger also coaches the afterschool book club to encourage readers to be challenged with higher level thinking. “We did escape rooms, compared and contrasted different gingerbread man stories and then they had to create their own gingerbread house. We wrote stories and redesigned covers of books to name a few things.”

Above And Beyond In STEM: Barbara Pill’s Rocketing Achievements

Barbara Pill, a science teacher at East Fairmont Middle School in Marion County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Award for February, which recognizes excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers.

Barbara Pill, a science teacher at East Fairmont Middle School (EFMS) in Marion County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Award for February, which recognizes excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers.

Pill was presented the award by WVPB’s Director of Education Maggie Holley during a surprise school assembly held specially for the occasion. Pill received a monetary award and a signature Blenko Glass blue apple paperweight. The West Virginia State Treasurers’ Office sponsors the award, presenter of the SMART529 college savings program in the Mountain State.

Principal and nominator Debra Conover embraces Barbara Pill after speaking at awards assembly.

*Photo Credit: Autumn Meadows/West Virginia Public Broadcasting*

Pill was joined on the floor by longtime friend, colleague, nominator and current principal, Debra Conover. Conover spoke of how Pill goes above and beyond with event preparation, collaborating with NASA, and how she started the STEM program that evolved to what it is today. She said, “It is because of her that the STEM program got started at the old junior high and has carried forward since then. I have lost many rockets with her over the years that we had to go find. But this lady puts in countless hours on Saturday, Sundays, and in the evenings toting things around, making things, sewing things, getting ready for the next event. She started from ordering things for rockets to becoming involved with NASA. From working with their 3D printer, to having her own for students [so they can] program and create their own projects.”

Conover ended with, “My kids have gone through the STEM program. With her guidance and mentoring, older kids from the program have gotten engineering jobs outside of high school and college and are very successful.”

Pill has taught for 15 years and in addition to science classes, she is currently the STEM coach for seventh and eighth grade students. She said she loves teaching about all aspects of science. “Science is so important because it is all around us, so we need to understand and appreciate it. We have those interactions with science without thinking about it from a very young age. A child knows if they throw a ball up it will come down. They will learn how gravity works, but a toddler just knows it does. Science can be so much fun, especially when you understand why things work the way they do. I tell my students I teach science so I can play with the toys!”

She especially enjoys teaching about heredity and DNA. “We make a model of DNA that I designed for students to make using letter beads and the beads to stand for each of the bases. They clip those on their binders and their backpacks, and I have students who have graduated and still have those. It is rewarding to do an assignment that shows how much they enjoyed it.”

In addition to teaching science and being the STEM coach, Pill is also a member of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) and is the membership chairman for West Virginia Rocketry, the local NAR chapter. With her level two, high powered rocketry certification, her current project is a 7 ½ foot fiberglass rocket.

As the STEM coach, Pill can provide many exciting projects for students such as building rockets, Lego missions and competitions, and 3D printing. She is particularly fond of working on rockets with students while also building and designing her own. “I have rockets that look like medieval battle axes, one that looks like the Cape Hatteras lighthouse as well as more traditional rockets.”

Pill’s first rocket was with the NASA Education Resource Center (ERC) rocketry workshop.

Students Brooklyn and Grady (left), Above and Beyond winner Barbara Pill and her husband (center), Education Director Maggie Holley and Education Specialist Autumn Meadows (right).

*Photo Credit: Autumn Meadows/West Virginia Public Broadcasting*

Pill attended several educator workshops through NASA ERC. They train educators to use and teach the kits they provide. These workshops help educators incorporate STEM into their curriculum. Through these workshops, Pill learned about many programs such as the Lego League, the American Rocketry Challenge, the GLOBE project and others that she brought back to the classroom.

This led to East Fairmont Middle School participating in competitions like the TARC finals which involved students designing and building a high-powered rocket to carry a scientific payload. EFMS placed 17^th allowing them to participate in the NASA student launch. These accomplishments were recognized by NASA ERC. “Our successful STEM program, particularly our rocketry, earned EFMS STEM an invitation to be guests at the renaming ceremony of the Katherine Johnson IV & V Facility. This was quite exciting to be able to be a part of that moment.”

History In The Making: Anne Farrow Wins WVPB’s Above And Beyond Award

Anne Farrow, a social studies teacher at Wheeling Park High School in Ohio County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Award for January, which recognizes excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers.

Farrow was presented the award by WVPB’s Director of Education Maggie Holley during a surprise visit to her classroom. Farrow received a monetary award and a signature Blenko Glass blue apple paperweight. The West Virginia State Treasurers’ Office sponsors the award, presenter of the SMART529 college savings program in the Mountain State.

Farrow was nominated by fellow colleague Sarah Smith, whose classroom is a couple doors down from Farrow’s and sees first-hand how she goes above and beyond. Smith describes Farrow’s leadership, creativity in the classroom and community impact.

Farrow has shown leadership both inside and outside of the classroom by mentoring students through hardships, leading a professional community learning group at the school and providing valuable resources to other teachers. She also coaches the middle school girls’ basketball team and serves as an advisor to student council.

When asked about serving as an advisor to student council, Farrow stressed the importance of allowing every student to be heard and wanting to change any negative feelings they may have about school. She said that over the years, she’s realized the importance of creating a positive environment for the students who think they are overlooked or incapable when they just haven’t figured out what talents or skills they possess yet.

She said, “One of my goals as a teacher is to create that positive environment and safe space that is welcoming to each and every student that walks through my door.” Farrow goes on to say she participates in these different rolls in the school to make connections with different students with a variety of interests and backgrounds. “Those connections formed enable our students to understand we are rooting for them in academics and life!”

Farrow is glad to be involved in the community as a parent, teacher and girls’ basketball coach. She loves giving the girls’ goals and seeing growth in character in addition to being an athlete.

In the classroom, Farrow loves teaching about the Civil Rights Movement because of the courage, determination and perseverance it shows. “While they had many factors stacked against them, civil rights activists were able to keep so composed while using peaceful protests to make an impact on society and the laws within it. Historical figures can be great role models. I believe we all can learn a lot from those people who pushed for equality for all in America.”

Smith says that Farrow makes lessons engaging by having students design their own posters, showing them historical documentaries that include local heroes, and assigning a diary project that students must connect to historical events by telling the story through the perspective of someone living in that time.

Farrow has been teaching for about a decade. When asked what she loves most about teaching, she says there are plenty of perks that come with being a teacher. “I’d say what truly makes it worth it are the laughs that I share with my students each day. It’s the moments that they are having fun while learning that brings me the most joy.”