On Monday, May 15th, 2023, Putnam County Schools wrapped up its Employee of the Year recognition by announcing and celebrating the inaugural Putnam County Schools Professional Support Personnel of the Year. Professional Support Personnel includes school nurses, counselors, and social workers. The Putnam County Board of Education honored Putnam County Schools 2023-24 Professional Support Personnel of the Year school-level recipients at a recognition ceremony at the central office.
At the beginning of March, Putnam principals were asked to begin discussions at the school level regarding recommendations for school employee of the year representatives. From applications to discussions, reviews, and recommendations to the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and the Superintendent of Schools, only one honoree is selected to represent the county.
We are pleased to celebrate Putnam County Schools 2023-2024 Professional Support Personnel of the Year Amy Barkley of Eastbrook Elementary!
Congratulations Mrs. Barkley and congratulations to all of Putnam County Schools’ 2023-2024 Professional Support Personnel of the Year of the Year recipients and honorees! We are beyond blessed to have you all at PCS!
To kick off Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, the Putnam Board of Education recognized Putnam County Schools 2023-24 Employee of Year recipients with a special ceremony Monday, May 1st, 2023, at their Regular Board Meeting.
Putnam County Schools would like to thank all that attended the event, from Employee of the Year recipients and their honored guests to school administrators, central office staff, the Putnam Board of Education, all the individuals who helped organize the event, particularly Ms. Lynette Jones, Putnam Career & Technical Center’s ProStart Educator, and her team of talented students who prepared a phenomenal spread for all to enjoy throughout the night.
Before announcing the recipients of Putnam County Schools 2023-24 Employees of the Year, we celebrated each school-level Service Personnel and Teacher of the Year recipient!
At the beginning of March, principals were asked to begin discussions at the school level regarding recommendations for their EOTY representative. An online application is provided for all applicants to complete. The process for Teacher of the Year recipients incorporates a video submission reviewed by designees at each program level. Once reviewed, a set number of applications are recommended to be evaluated by a designee. From that review, recommendations to the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum yield an elementary, middle, and high school teacher of the year are made, and ultimately the winner is determined to represent the county. This review includes resumes, community service, awards, education, and recommendations from the school level. This final recommendation is provided to John Hudson, Superintendent of Schools. Final recommendations include the Putnam County Schools Service Professional of the Year, Elementary Teacher of the Year, Middle School Teacher of the Year, and High School Teacher of the Year. From the group of the three Teacher of the Year recipients, only one representative can advance to state-level judging and represent Putnam County Schools as the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year. The Putnam County Schools Service Personnel and Teacher of the Year winner will submit an online application to the West Virginia Department of Education before May 15, 2023, to be considered and compete in the state contest.
It is with great pleasure; central office staff accompanies the Superintendent to each site where the 2023-24 Employee of the Year recipients works. This year, the team visited West Teays, where Mr. Julian Poe, Putnam County Schools Service Personnel of the Year, was greeted in the main entryway with smiles and laughter and was thanked for all his efforts by the administration. In addition, we traveled to Buffalo High School to surprise Brooke Davis, Putnam County Schools High School Teacher of the Year, during a faculty senate meeting, to Poca Middle School library where an unsuspecting Kim Swindell, Middle School Teacher of the Year, was cheered on by per peers following Mr. Hudson’s announcement, and to Lakeside Elementary where students were in the gymnasium recognizing school-level EOTY winners when Mr. Hudson and the team appeared to surprise Jessica Welsh, Elementary Teacher of the Year.
From the three Teacher of the Year recipients, only one representative can advance to state-level judging and represent Putnam County Schools as the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year.
Putnam County Schools is proud to announce the Putnam County Teacher of the Year of the 2023-2024 school year Mrs. Jessica Welsh of Lakeside Elementary!
It is an honor to announce Putnam County Schools 2023-2024 Employees of the Year:
- Service Personnel of the Year, Robert Julian Poe, West Teays Elementary
- Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Jessica Welsh, Lakeside Elementary
- Middle School Teacher of the Year, Kimberly Swindell, Poca Middle
- High School Teacher of the Year, Brooke Davis, Buffalo High School
- Putnam County Schools Teacher of the Year, Jessica Welsh, Lakeside Elementary
Happy Teacher and School Staff Appreciation Week, and congratulations to all of Putnam County Schools’ 2023-2024 Employee of the Year recipients and honorees! We are beyond blessed to have each of you at PCS!