Shawna Safreed, left, a language arts teacher at Bridge Street Middle School, is congratulated by Principal Jessica Broski-Birch after being named the 2022-2023 Ohio County Schools teacher of the year Monday. (Photo by Joselyn King)

WHEELING – Ohio County Schools honored top teachers and service personnel Monday night, with two employees selected as best the year.

Shawna Safreed, a language arts teacher at Bridge Street Middle School, was announced as Teacher of the Year for the 2022-2023 school year during Monday’s meeting of the Ohio County Board of Education.

Also recognized was Heather Blakely, a supervisory aide/paraprofessional at Ritchie Elementary School. Blakely was named as the school district’s Service Employee of the Year.

Safreed has been with Ohio County Schools since 2009, when she was hired as a technology integration teacher at Bridge Street. She also taught at Triadelphia Middle School, the Warwood School and Woodsdale Elementary School before returning to Bridge Street for the 2020-2021 school year.

“Ms. Safreed is creative, she’s passionate, and she’s always looking for ways to make learning exciting for her students,” said Superintendent Kim MIller. “Shawna is invested in her students, and she is committed to their learning.

“She’s been so important to Ohio County Schools, and she has been tremendous at every school in which she taught. She means so much to her students.”

Bridge Street Principal Jessica Broski-Birch termed Safreed an excellent teacher whose efforts extend beyond the classroom.

“Ms. Safreed does so much in regard to the relationships she builds with her students, colleagues and community,” Broski-Birch said. “She runs the Bridge Street Leo Club, which is an organization that gives back to the community.

“Shawna is so involved in family events for her students. Every summer she organizes a book club for students, and she’s currently planning a 5K color run. It’s unbelievable what she does.”

Safreed isn’t the first in her family to be honored for their work. Her husband, Rob Safreed, was the 2017 Police Officer of the Year for the Wheeling Police Department.

Heather Blakely, center, a supervisory aide/paraprofessional at Ritchie Elementary School, is congratulated by Leah Stout, left, special education director for Ohio County Schools, and Superintendent Kim Miller after Blakely was named the 2022-2023 Ohio County Schools service employee of the year.

Blakely has worked with Ohio County Schools since 2016.

Ritchie Principal John Jorden said he was excited to learn of Blakely’s selection, and that she has quickly become a member of the staff.

“Heather is a great person and she treats the children like her own,” Jordan said. “She is so kind and caring. Ms. Blakely gives 100% each and every day.

Blakely works in the classroom of teacher Corinna Erbacher, who said she is “an amazing co-worker” who does anything and everything without hesitation and with a smile on her face.”

“She loves our special students and goes out of her way to help them succeed,” Erbacher said. “Even the smallest accomplishment is a celebration.

“She cheers them on and makes our classroom a happy and safe place.”

The following were honored as the year’s top teachers at the following schools: Genevieve Fields, Bethlehem Elementary; Shaun Black, Elm Grove Elementary; Chelsea Jorden, Madison Elementary; Eleni Nardone, Middle Creek Elementary; Gina Annett, Ritchie Elementary; Mindy Iverson, Steenrod Elementary; Heather Puglisi, Warwood Elementary; Stephanie Ferguson, West Liberty Elementary; Lindsey Bugaj, Woodsdale Elementary; Samantha Gentile, Triadelphia Middle School; Christina Cain, Warwood School; Megan Wise, Wheeling Middle School; and Robert Demarest, Wheeling Park High School.

Service personnel honored were Kim Simmons, Bethlehem Elementary; Sheila Little, Elm Grove; Debbie Black, Madison Elementary; Robin Murphy, Middle Creek Elementary; Flora Shoe, Steenrod Elementary; Lori Anderson, Warwood School; Jennifer Denard; West Liberty Elementary; Nancy Braden, Woodsdale Elementary; Grant Sine, Bridge Street MIddle School; Jessica Sokol, Triadelphia Middle School; Jill Hutchinson, Wheeling Middle School; Lexi Frango, Wheeling Park High School; Jane Davis, central office; Delbert Huffman, maintenance; and Dana Ullom, transportation.

In other matters, Walt Saunders, assessment and federal programs director for Ohio County Schools, provided to board members a list of science textbooks the school district is considering for purchase mostly in digital form. Saunders said the list of the books will be available to parents to review on Schoology. Discussion about the books is set to take place when the board next meets at 6 p.m. on May 9 at the board office, 2203 National Road, Elm Grove.

Board of education members approved a recommended five-day suspension for WPHS teacher Jackie Shriner. No further information on the personnel matter was provided.

The board accepted the retirement of Triadelphia Middle School Principal Ann Coleman effective June 30. Coleman has been with Ohio County Schools for 45 years.

Also retiring is Bridge Street physical education teacher Rick Thomas, who has been with the school district for 19 years. Thomas has received accolades for his efforts to begin an archery program at Bridge Street.