Kanawha County Schools celebrated an exceptional group of educators at the November Board of Education meeting, honoring one exemplary teacher from each middle and high school for the first nine weeks of the school year.
Earlier this fall, Dr. Paula Potter invited all secondary principals to nominate five teachers who consistently demonstrate excellence in — and beyond — the classroom. Principals also provided supporting documentation highlighting how each nominee:
Creates engaging and effective lessons
Supports their fellow staff members
Represents their school positively online and in the community
Leads student activities such as clubs, sports, or mentorship programs
Serves as a role model for students and colleagues
Using a detailed rubric, Dr. Potter selected one teacher per school to be recognized as their building’s Exemplary Teacher for the first nine weeks. This recognition will continue every nine weeks as part of KCS’s ongoing commitment to celebrating outstanding educators across the district. Elementary teachers will be honored at an upcoming meeting.
WATCH These Educators in Action
2025 First Nine Weeks Exemplary Teacher Nominees
Below are all of the outstanding educators who were nominated by their principals for this honor:
Middle Schools
Lora Rawlings – Andrew Jackson Middle School
Colin Boehm – Dunbar Middle School
Haley Mooney – DuPont Middle School
Becky Mandirola – Elkview Middle School
Karleigh Leonard – Hayes Middle School
Amie Moss – Horace Mann Middle School
Bridget Ward – John Adams Middle School
Jessica Phillips – Sissonville Middle School
Jenna Hill – South Charleston Middle School
Linda Williams – West Side Middle School
Joseph Combs – Chandler Academy
High Schools & Career Technical Centers
Chris Rock – Capital High School
Vickie Hensley – George Washington High School
Richard Parsons – Herbert Hoover High School
Danielle Hunt – Nitro High School
Tara Veazey – Riverside High School
Kathy Snyder – St. Albans High School
Tony Lester – Sissonville High School
Sarah Carroll – South Charleston High School
Christina Holston – Ben Franklin Career Center
Thomas Grant – Carver Career & Technical Center
Thank You!
These teachers represent the very best of Kanawha County Schools—educators who teach with purpose, support their colleagues, inspire their students, and embody the heart of our school communities.
KCS is proud to recognize their hard work and looks forward to celebrating even more outstanding educators throughout the year.
Congratulations to all nominees and honorees!