By EMMA DELK

WHEELING — A legal career and a desire to stay involved in her local community have paved the way for Molly Aderholt’s position as an Ohio County Board of Education Member.

The 47-year-old’s knowledge of the law not only applies to her work as a Counsel at Spilman Thomas & Battle but also helps her navigate many tasks as a BOE member.

After attending WVU College of Law, Aderholt worked in the Morgantown and then the Wheeling offices of Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC. Aderholt’s legal path has led to her current position in the corporate and litigation departments of Spilman Thomas & Battle.

“I can remember in 6th grade deciding to be a lawyer,” described Aderholt. “In high school, I considered other fields, but ultimately, I guess I was destined to be a lawyer.”

As she settled down in Wheeling with her husband John, what always kept Aderholt on the legal path was the opportunity to help others through her work.

“Seeing a good result for a client is very rewarding and also allows me to learn something new about a person, a business or a profession in the process,” she explained.

This desire to learn something new about the people and businesses in the community led to Aderholt’s involvement in various local organizations. As she raised her three children in the city, Aderholt’s involvement with civic organizations became linked to the activities her children participated in.

Aderholt’s volunteering resume includes many years spent volunteering with the F.C. Wheeling United travel soccer club and Young Life. Aderholt was also on the board of the Children’s Museum of the Ohio Valley and is currently on the start team for Young Life’s Mountain State Region.

She also noted staying “generally involved” in her kids’ schools and education.

Before running for BOE in 2018, Aderholt was a member of Streenrod Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Association Executive Committee and the Local School Improvement Council.

“I think schools and education are critically important to society and I wanted to have a voice in the education of children in my community, including my children,” explained Aderholt.

“That was all part of my journey toward running for the Board of Education. I am also a parent and an attorney and thought I had a valuable perspective to offer.”

Apart from wanting to have a voice in the education of children in her community, Aderholt’s school board aspirations also stemmed from doing a “lot of reading” on a “variety of subjects” regarding education.

As she obtained more general knowledge of the school system and education, Aderholt’s interests narrowed to curriculum development and different teaching methods. She also found herself becoming engaged with “new and innovative” ideas being implemented in the classroom on a national scale.

Aderholt’s research led her to “believe strongly” in data-driven approaches to student health, such as aligning school start times to adolescents’ natural sleep cycles.

On top of her skills in independent research, Aderhol’s experience as an attorney has proved to be another asset to her as a BOE member.

Contract approval, policy review and employee issue investigation are all tasks she finds her background as an attorney helps her navigate as a school board member. Her legal knowledge allows her to “spot potential problems” and “advise on how to avoid or deal with those.”

“I also think critical thinking skills are valuable in any position, and as an attorney, I hone those skills every day,” she added.

To be able to have a seat at the table in providing “what is best for students” is what Aderholt finds the most fulfilling about the position. She hopes to see more young women stepping up to run for public office or join the legal profession to acquire the same opportunities as her.

“Unfortunately, sexism is alive and well, but I don’t know whether it is necessarily better or worse in Wheeling than other places,” noted Aderholt. “I think young women can look around our community and see women in leadership roles across the board.”

To try to bring together professional women in the community, Aderholt has a women’s networking event in the works set to take place in April. She wants female professionals in the area to be able “to see how we can help each other be successful.”

Aderholt’s work on the school board and promoting female professionals in the area reflects what she encourages everyone to do- get involved.

“A good community has good people who care and engage and give of themselves to make it a better place,” she said. “Being on the school board is not an easy position, but it is a worthwhile endeavor. As a BOE member, I have tried to stand strong in my convictions and for what I believe is right.”

Aderholt has found friends in many engaged community members in Wheeling. She noted many of these acquaintances in her age group have returned to the valley to raise families after leaving for college, which she finds very “meaningful.”