photo by: Craig Howell

Nominees for Hancock County’s Teacher of the Year were, from left, Jodi Cole, Lesley Michaud, Jennifer Smith, Sarah Howells, Teacher of the Year Beth Morris, Thomas Williams, Wendy DeAngelis, and Deanna Williams.

Hancock County Schools celebrated the best of the school district Monday, honoring its teacher and service personnel of the year recipients.

“The strength of a community is a strong school system,” Superintendent Dan Enich said. “We have that in Hancock County.”

Each year, Hancock County Schools recognizes its teachers and service personnel with the award. Each school or department nominates an individual, decided through the votes of their coworkers.

This year, Beth Morris, a reading and language arts teacher from Oak Glen Middle, was selected as the county’s Teacher of the Year, while Jeff Lamp, plumber and maintenance technician from the Maintenance Department, was named Service Personnel of the Year.

“My hat’s off to all of the employees and their commitment to Hancock County Schools,” Enich said.

Oak Glen Middle Principal Derek Van Dyke explained Morris displays three major categories he looks for in staff; to have a strong relationship with students, to display leadership both at school and in the community; and to be engaging in the classroom.

“She exudes all of those things,” he said, noting Morris works to get to know all of her students, while bringing aspects into her own experiences into her lessons, serves as a Faculty Senate representative, and is active with the school’s fifth grade.

Morris said she was surprised and humbled by the award, offering thanks to her family, her students, and her fellow teachers.

“I wouldn’t be here without my coworkers,” she said.

photo by: Craig Howell

Nominees for Service Personnel of the Year in Hancock County Schools included, from left, Ron Richmond, Karla Lamp, Debbie Fish, Tammy Null, Service Personnel of the Year recipient Jeff Lamp, Brittanee McCallister, Haley Davis, Shanna Logston, and Robert Brew. Terri Rodriguez and Lisa Sayre also were nominated.

Kasey Arnott, director of facilities and maintenance, praised Lamp’s hard work and dedication.

“He truly cares about the students and staff,” Arnott said, adding he wants to ensure a safe and supportive environment is available for all.

Arnott noted Lamp was instrumental in addressing needs of the school system during Weirton’s water outage last winter.

“We are fortunate to have him as part of our team,” Arnott said.

Lamp, who also serves as a middle school coach in the county, explained his focus is on being an example to others, a lesson he teaches his athletes as well.

“Everything is lead by example,” he said.

Other nominees for Teacher of the Year were Jodi Cole of New Manchester Elementary; Jennifer Smith of A.T. Allison Elementary; Lesley Michaud of Oak Glen High; Sarah Howells of Weirton Elementary; Thomas Williams of Weir Middle; Deanna Williams of Weir High; and Wendy DeAngelis of the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center.

Nominees for Service Personnel of the Year included Karla Lamp of New Manchester Elementary; Shanna Logston of A.T. Allison Elementary; Sunny McCoy of Oak Glen Middle; Debbie Fish of Oak Glen High; Haley Davis of Weirton Elementary; Brittanee McCallister of Weir Middle; Ron Richmond of Weir High; Terri Rodriguez from the board office; Tammy Null from the JDR Career Center; Robert Brew from the transportation department; and Lisa Sayre from the central kitchen.