BUCKHANNON – Washington District Elementary School students were not the only bright shining stars recognized during the last Upshur County Board of Education meeting. BOE members also had the opportunity to learn about the teachers, staff and volunteers who help make the school a great learning institution as well.

WDES principal Gabrielle Rhodes recognized Pre-K instructor Christy Suder, who was singled out during a recent observation by state education officials.

“Suder was recognized by them as providing an imaginative and hands-on learning environment that instills excitement and creativity in our youngest learners,” Rhodes said as county superintendent Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus presented Suder with an Upshur Star.

Next, Rhodes recognized Shauna Moody as a PAX expert. Rhodes said Moody sets PAX expectations, creates opportunities for students to reflect and recognizes PAX behaviors in all settings of the school.

“Moody supports her colleagues with the implementation of PAX by leading training within the school and has also trained staff from other schools,” Rhodes shared.

The next Upshur County Star was presented to Dorian Carrico, who teaches first grade.

“Carrico received parent recognition,” Rhodes said. “In an email to me, the parent acknowledged her compassion, understanding and love for working with special needs children. They said at a time when they felt no one was willing to understand and accept the special needs of their child, Carrico brought hope to their hopeless situation by volunteering to take their child into her classroom.”

Rhodes said the parents expressed their appreciation of Carrico’s flexibility and communication as they are navigating the processes with their child.

Second grade teacher Lisa Tenney was also recognized because Rhodes received a message from parents who said she goes above and beyond.

“The parent said she was so thankful when her family was quarantined and no one could leave the house,” Rhodes read. “Tenney delivered schoolwork to their door to make sure all three students would have their schoolwork when they were under quarantine.”

What this family did not know was that Tenney did this for other families facing quarantine as well.

Fourth grade teacher Rebecca Wilfong was recognized at the a suggestion of an Apple Learning Specialist.

“The Apple Learning Specialist asked me to recognize Wilfong for being a dynamic and flexible teacher who does not give herself enough credit,” Rhodes said. “This was something Wilfong thought she could not pull off, but within minutes in the lesson, Wilfong became the expert, took over and taught the content. She was showing the kids her new skills and they were truly amazed.”

Alice Alkire was the next to receive recognition and an Upshur Star. Rhodes described Alkire as someone who goes above and beyond.

“She assists our Pre-K students and other teachers in our building,” Rhodes said. “She has taken on breakfast duty for the entire school and is the epitome of a dedicated and hard-working staff member that never says a word, but quietly does her job and does it above expectations.”

Custodian Brandon Kelley was described as a role model for WDES students.

“I had a parent who approached me and said they appreciate the time that Kelley takes to talk to the students, and he models the importance of keeping our school the cleanest in Upshur County,” Rhodes said, adding that Kelly assists with difficult student situations. “He is an example of being part of a team and knowing that it takes a village to help all of our students.”

Abigail Poling, WDES STEAM teacher, received the final Upshur Star. The principal said Poling was actually a WDES student when Rhodes was a teacher at the school.

“Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus was the principal and Poling was a student here from kindergarten through fifth grade,” Rhodes said. “I was one of her teachers. It is very special to now have her as a teacher here on our staff.”

“Poling is our new STEAM teacher and has shown great initiative and drive in her new position,” Rhodes said. “When members of the state department and SREB were in our school, they told us our STEAM teacher, Poling, would make an excellent model – especially for co-teaching. When told that Poling was actually a first-year teacher, the team was astonished and said WDES truly received a gem.”

Rhodes said the team felt the STEAM program at WDES is worth modeling in elementary classrooms around the state.

“It makes us so proud when one of our students comes back to Upshur County to work in our school system,” Stankus said. “It is just a very proud moment. To know how well she is doing makes us proud. You are touching the future.”

Check back with My Buckhannon to learn what happens during the next regular Upshur County Board of Education meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School.