Woodsdale Elementary School teacher Jaime Young, center, is honored as Ohio County Schools "teacher of the year" by board of education president Andy Garber, left, and Superintendent Kim Miller. (Photo by Joselyn King)

Ohio County Schools honored its top teachers and service employees for the 2023-24 school year Monday night.

The announcements of Teacher of the Year and School Personnel Employee of the Year came during a meeting of the Ohio County Board of Education convened at the Warwood School.

Jaime Young, first grade teacher at Woodsdale Elementary School, was named Ohio County Schools Teacher of the Year. She has taught for 14 years at the school.

“I think early education is amazing,” Young said. “They are so excited to learn, and it is my job to make learning exciting and fun.

“I want school to be a place where they want to be. It sets the tone for their future in education.”

Young is a 2002 graduate of Wheeling Park High School who went on to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Liberty University. Her husband, Ryan Young, is a teacher at Wheeling Park High School who also coaches the Patriot’s girls basketball team.

Superintendent Kim Miller served as principal at Woodsdale Elementary from 2012-16, and worked with Young.

“I love Jamie Young,” she said. “She is an outstanding educator. Jamie is so good at what she does. She is creative and passionate and innovative. She is excited to help students learn. Jamie Young is an asset to Ohio County Schools, Woodsdale Elementary School and the entire community.”

Madison Elementary School employee Debbie Black, center, is honored as Ohio County Schools “service personnel employee of the year” by board of education president Andy Garber, left, and Superintendent Kim Miller. (Photo by Joselyn King)

Debbie Black, a kindergarten instructional assistant at Madison Elementary School, was honored as Service Personnel Employee of the Year.

Black has worked for Ohio County Schools for 12 years, and been at Madison for seven years. Principal Andrea Trio was not present, but sent remarks commending Black’s “excellent ability to manage many tasks.”

“Ms. Black is highly motivated, and her willingness to collaborate is a benefit to Madison, it’s staff and its students,” she said. “Debbie is a go-getter. You will always see her looking for ways to help staff and students. She truly goes above and beyond for all. She is humble and kind and always wears a smile.”

Other teachers honored as the best at their school were as follows: Bethlehem Elementary, Shannon Tamburin; Elm Grove Elementary, Kathryn Wheeler; Madison Elementary, Hilary Sayre; Middle Creek Elementary, Mark Williams; Ritchie Elementary, Daniel Whitlatch; Steenrod Elementary, Jennifer Schmitt; Warwood Elementary, Lee Gruber; West Liberty Elementary, Jennifer Litzenberger; Bridge Street Middle, Amy Ritz; Triadelphia Middle, Ashley Ramsden; Warwood Middle, Brianna Blend; Wheeling Middle, Rylie Parker; and Wheeling Park High School, Caroline Dillon.

Service personnel honored at each school were at Bethlehem Elementary, Bobbi Jo McDaniel; Elm Grove Elementary, Gina Minch; Middle Creek Elementary, Robin Murphy; Ritchie Elementary, Dave Iverson; Steenrod Elementary, Mike Toland; Warwood Elementary, Lori Anderson; West Liberty Elementary, Jennifer Denard; Woodsdale Elementary, Marianne Clatterbuck; Bridge Street Middle, Dara Robrecht; Triadelphia Middle, Kimberly MacFarland; Warwood Middle, Cheryl Fisher; Wheeling MIddle School, Chad Standfor; and Wheeling Park HIgh School, Kimberly Nesperly.

Other service personnel recognized included at the Central Office, Paula Hajdukovich; maintenance, Chris Means; and transportation, Molly Evans.

The board next meets at 6 p.m. on May 8 at Wheeling Middle School.