photo by: Warren Scott

The Brooke County Board of Education recognized Ash Leigh Negri, a third-grade teacher at Franklin Intermediate South, as Brooke County Teacher of the Year Monday. With Negri are Scott Donohew, the school's principal; and Jeff Crook, Brooke County superintendent of schools. Also recognized was bus driver Rick Schoonmaker as the county's Service Personnel Member of the Year.

Brooke County school officials say Ash Leigh Negri’s love for teaching shows in her interaction with her pupils, the interactive lessons she engages them in and her willingness to learn more about her profession.

On Monday, the Brooke County Board of Education recognized Negri as the county’s Teacher of the Year, as well as Rick Schoonmaker, the first bus driver in the school district to be named Service Personnel Member of the Year.

Scott Donohew — principal of Franklin Intermediate South, where Negri teaches third grade — said, “she’s got great energy, great rapport with the kids. She cares about education and teaching is her life.”

A 2006 graduate of Brooke High School, Negri went on to earn a degree in digital art at Duquesne University before shifting her career goal to teaching and earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Liberty University.

Asked what interested her in the field, she replied, “Just helping kids and seeing them understand is interesting and fun.”

In her seventh year in Brooke County Schools, she said she’s found teaching to be very satisfying.

“Being in the classroom with the kids and teaching them new things. That’s the best part for sure,” said Negri.

Schoonmaker has been found in recent years behind the wheel of a school bus instead of the police cruiser he once drove in his previous career as a Brooke County sheriff’s deputy.

He was unable to attend Monday’s meeting, but school officials were happy to comment on the job he’s performed.

Superintendent Jeffrey Crook said of him, “He’s dedicated, he’s hard working. He really works hard for the kids.”

Crook said Schoonmaker will be invited again to a future meeting.