Huntington Middle teacher describes classroom workload, Rosie the Riveter Day and community ties during public comment

A sixth-grade social studies teacher at Huntington Middle School spoke during public comment to describe his classroom responsibilities and a school event that highlights World War II home-front history.

The teacher said he arrives early for morning duty, teaches five core classes as well as a WVTSS (West Virginia Tiered System of Supports) class, and uses varied strategies to reach students with different learning styles. "I'm a sixth grade social studies teacher at Huntington Middle School. I get here early in the morning. I have morning duty. I teach 5 core classes plus, a WVTSS class," he said.

He highlighted an in-school program, which he called "Rosie the Riveter Day," as a hands-on lesson about World War II. "One thing I'm most proud of is our Rosie the Riveter Day... where students get to learn about World War II by looking at artifacts from the World War II era," the teacher said. He added that students dress as Rosie the Riveter to "honor the women who stayed here at home, who helped win the war" and to recognize service members who served overseas.

The teacher emphasized personal and community ties to the school. "You know, I'm a Huntington guy. I went to school here... I live extremely close to the school, so I have a lot of ties to this building. I got a lot of ties to the community," he said, noting that some current students are children of people he attended school with. He described teaching as a way to give back and said he encourages students to be respectful and work hard.

He also said he values the school's diversity and wants Huntington Middle School to receive recognition. "Sometimes I feel like... we're kind of a hidden gem here in Cabell County," he said.

The remarks conveyed classroom practices, an instructional event, and community connections rather than proposing district policy changes or formal requests for funding or action.