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Ohio County Schools honors Teacher and Service Personnel of the Year; Madison Elementary wins regional partnership award
Summary
Ohio County Schools announced Dr. Stephanie Cirilli as Teacher of the Year and Cassandra Bieswanger as Service Personnel of the Year, and recognized a Madison Elementary–West Liberty University pen‑pal partnership with a regional School Business Partnership award and a $2,000 celebration grant.
The Ohio County Board of Education recognized outstanding staff and a school–business partnership at its April 27 meeting, announcing Dr. Stephanie Cirilli as Teacher of the Year and Cassandra Bieswanger as Service Personnel of the Year for 2025–2026.
Presenter and board members called nominees from schools across the county before the winners were named. "Our 2025–2026 service personnel of the year winner is Cassandra Bieswanger, transportation," the presenter said, and the board described her long service with Ohio County Schools and her work supporting students on the bus. The board also presented the district's Teacher of the Year award to Dr. Stephanie Cirilli, who was praised for her work as a reading specialist at Elm Grove Elementary and her record supporting students with individualized instruction.
Separately, the board presented Madison Elementary and its partnership with West Liberty University with the regional School Business Partnership of the Year award. Presenters described a pen‑pal program in which West Liberty pre‑service teachers exchange letters with fifth graders over 10–14 weeks; Dr. Kurfman of West Liberty said the program gives college students authentic work samples and gives elementary students a real audience for their writing. "Having collegiate role models who genuinely cared about their growth as writers made a lasting impression," Dr. Kurfman said.
Jeannie Prince of the Education Alliance said the regional winners receive a $2,000 celebration grant and advance to a state competition of eight partnerships for a $25,000 package. "We had 78 entries from 40 counties in West Virginia," Prince said, urging the community to join in congratulating the Madison program.
Board members and administrators thanked winners and nominees and excused candidates and their families after the ceremony. The presentation underscored district efforts to connect classrooms with local higher‑education partners and to celebrate staff contributions.
The board continued with business following the awards presentations.
