The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) honored schools, districts, educators, and partners across the state during the annual Career Technical Education (CTE) Awards Ceremony on September 19, 2025, celebrating the people and programs that shape the future of West Virginia’s workforce.
The ceremony highlighted outstanding performance in CTE through the WVDE Office of Career Technical Education’s Pinnacle Awards. The program recognizes achievement across key accountability indicators, including participation, concentration, completion, work-based learning, technical assessments, and teacher endorsement. Additionally, the awards reflect the WVDE’s commitment to recognizing excellence in education and building stronger connections between schools, industry, and communities.
Putnam Career & Technical Center (PCTC) was recognized as one of the state’s top Career and Technical Education centers for its outstanding achievement in preparing West Virginia students for the workforce, earning the prestigious Pinnacle Award recognition.
In addition to school and district recognitions, the ceremony also honored individuals and partners whose leadership and innovation are strengthening CTE across the state. Putnam County Schools (PCS) is thrilled to announce that, among those distinguished individuals, is PCTC’s Firefighting and EMT Training Educator, Captain Darin Virag, West Virginia’s 2025 Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year. Captain Virag possesses a wealth of knowledge, experience, and specialized training from decades of fire service, which he has brought into the classroom to transform into powerful, real-world learning experiences for his students. His dedication, expertise, and passion for preparing students to serve and protect their communities exemplify the very best of Career and Technical Education in West Virginia. The Putnam school community is honored and grateful to have Captain Virag as part of our PCS family.
Media Coverage of PCTC Celebration for WV CTE Teacher of the Year Captain Virag (Sept. 25, 2025): WCHS, WOWK