photo by: Joselyn King

Raquel McLeod, left, student services director for Ohio County Schools, is congratulated by Superintendent Kim Miller after winning the “Central Office Administratior of the Year” award from the West Virginia Association of School Administrators.

WHEELING — Another Ohio County Schools administrator has been selected as best at what they do in West Virginia.

Raquel McLeod, student services director for Ohio County Schools, was congratulated by Superintendent Kim Miller after winning the “Central Office Administratior Of The Year” award from the West Virginia Association of School Administrators. The Ohio County Board of Education recognized McLeod during its meeting this week.

McLeod is starting her 27th year with Ohio County Schools.

“I’ve always been a champion of the underdog, and making sure our kids are taken care of,” she said.

She thanked her family, including her husband Mike and mother Cheryl who were with her.

“Mike and my children have sacrificed a lot because I’m here a lot. But they understand this is my passion and what I want to do,” McLeod said. “I want to make school the most positive experience for kids, parents, principals and anybody involved.

“This isn’t just an award for me. We have a really awesome team. I am about everybody around me.”

McLeod is originally from Wellsburg, and a graduate of Brooke County High School. She received her undergraduate degree from the former West Liberty State College and a masters in reading education from West Virginia University.

She began her teaching career at Triadelphia Middle School, where she taught reading and career education.

McLeod would move on to Madison Elementary to work as a reading specialist, then she became principal there.

Later, she would be called to Bridge Street Middle School to serve as assistant principal, then as principal.

This will be McLeod’s 10th year working in the Ohio County Schools Central Office as student services director. She said one of the biggest changes she has seen over the decades is the implementation of technology into instruction and learning.

“I also think another big change is the focus now on the whole child and not just academics,” McLeod continued. “Today we care about their social and emotional needs, as well as academics.”

She added the biggest challenge for teachers striving to keep students engaged in a world where they’ve become accustomed to the immediacy of video games and social media.

“Today’s youth is used to getting instant gratification and results through the use of computers and phones,” she said. “They are able to go to one activity to another when looking at social media, or playing games on their X-Boxes.”

Teachers also have to become more creative in the ways they keep students’ attention, according to McLeod.

She said she had been very lucky throughout her educational career to have strong mentor teachers who have helped her.

“I have had amazing principals and other administrators who were role models that helped shape me into the administrator that I am today,” McLeod said. “I have been blessed to work with dedicated and energetic teachers that make being an administrator rewarding.

“I am pleasantly surprised with the award. It was a great recognition. I feel lucky the association took time to recognize my hard work and accomplishment. I plan to continue to be the best leader I can be.”

Ohio County Schools Superintendent Kim Miller also was recently named “Superintendent of the Year” by the WVASA. Miller said McLeod’s dedication “doesn’t just make her effective, it makes her approachable and makes her relatable.”

“She is the kind of person who is business first, but sees the human in every number and every policy,” MIller continued. “She assures that every voice from student to superintendent matters.

“In a central office willed with passionate professionals, Raquel stands out — not just because of what she accomplishes, but how she does it. She is relentless in doing what is right for kids. We’re incredibly lucky to have Raquel on our team,” she said.