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Monongalia board recognizes five Teachers Ascend recruits as statewide program pitches teacher pipeline
Summary
The Monongalia County Board of Education recognized five teachers hired through the Teachers Ascend West Virginia program and heard a presentation about the program’s recruitment and retention supports, including stipends, mentoring, and tuition assistance.
The Monongalia County Board of Education on March 25 formally recognized five teachers hired through the Teachers Ascend West Virginia recruitment program and heard a presentation on the program’s efforts to attract out-of-state and returning certified teachers.
The recognition came during the Board’s public hearing segment, where school system staff listed the five teachers and their assignments: Andrew Calandrelli, mathematics, Morgantown High School; Andrea Mulligan, music, South (elementary); Nicole Radick, fifth grade, Skyview; Maria Vito, physical education, North; and Jessica Willis, Special Education, Cheat Lake. Each teacher was identified as an Ascend recruit who relocated from another state to teach in Monongalia County.
The Board heard a longer briefing from Donna Peduto, executive director of the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative, which coordinates Ascend West Virginia. Peduto described the program as an effort to “attract certified teachers from out of state to move to West Virginia or to come back to West Virginia” and said five Ascenders chose Monongalia County for 2024–25. She told the Board the program bundles financial incentives, mentoring, community social activities and some graduate tuition support to make relocation and retention more feasible.
Peduto said recruiters studied barriers to moving to West Virginia and built supports accordingly, including bonus payments and partner-funded stipends. She credited local partners and the county’s human resources staff for promoting the program and supporting teachers after they arrive. "Mon county . . . is the home of innovation," Peduto said, praising the district’s willingness to pilot the program.
Board members did not take formal action during the recognition; the acknowledgments were ceremonial and recorded as part of the meeting minutes.
Ending: The Board will return to personnel and contract business later in the meeting. The Ascend recruits were publicly recognized and scheduled to meet Board members and staff after the meeting.
