Berkeley County board honors Presidential Award winner Renee Haynes; district presents veteran diploma and educator recognitions

The Berkeley County Schools board opened the April 7 meeting with several recognitions. The board and Superintendent Ryan Sachs honored Renee Haynes, a Martinsburg High School biology teacher, as a recipient of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation’s highest award for K–12 STEM teachers. Haynes received a citation and a $10,000 award and will attend a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Haynes and her nominator described her sustained commitment to science instruction, extracurricular leadership — including advising the Science National Honor Society and coordinating a traveling-science show — and a record of nominations and state-level awards. In a brief address recorded at the meeting, Haynes thanked colleagues and family and said the award was both a personal honor and a reminder of the pressures teachers face, citing larger classes, schedule changes, paperwork and supply shortages.

The board also presented a Martinsburg High diploma to a veteran identified as Mr. Thomas, who forewent graduation to serve in Vietnam; Auxiliary Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets presented a folded flag and certificate. Assistant Principal Shelby Glover and Superintendent Sachs presided over the diploma conferral.

Finally, the board recognized additional district honorees, including Sarah Offutt Roberts (caring educator recognition) presented by Hedgesville High School assistant principal Jason Hatterard. The board paused to acknowledge teachers’ concerns later in the meeting when the public commented on working conditions.