Pocahontas County Board of Education Honors School System Retirees

Marlinton, Wv – The Pocahontas County Board of Education conducted a long overdue retirement ceremony for 25 teachers who have retired over the past five years at the Board meeting Monday night. Board Chairman Kenneth Vance apologized for the lag in recognizing the teachers.

“I have nothing to say, only to apologize for this being so late” says Vance. “But the other thing I can say is that we knew you retired and we were waiting for you to come to work. It has just slipped up on us. We haven’t did it (honor retirees) but I promise you somebody will do it every year from now on.”

Sharon Vance, a 42 year teaching veteran, had this observation on the ceremony.

“I haven’t thought too much about it, it’s nice to be recognized for your service so, and it’s exciting to see people you haven’t seen for a while” she says.

Kathy McGee, a 2008 retiree from PCHS with 34 years of service in teaching secondary math offered her take on the ceremony.

“I’m glad to be here” says McGee, “as Sharon said, to see everybody, but just to have fun.”

Additionally, McGee says she’s retired but not quite finished teaching.

“I mentor the new teachers” she says. “I mentored Leslie Mensing at Marlinton Middle School this year.”

After Honoring of the retirees who were present, Mr. Gus Pennix of Regional Education Service Agency IV took center stage to make two additional presentations of Honors to recognize the Service Personnel and Teacher of the Year for Pocahontas County. Each got a plaque and a hearty handshake.

“We’ll begin with the Service Personnel of the Year, on behalf of RESA IV the Service Personnel of the year is Donna Gragg for 2011” says Pennix. “And also on behalf of RESA IV and the Pocahontas County Board of Education, the Teacher of the Year for 2011 is Cammy Kesterson.”

After the Ceremony concluded, Vance shared his thoughts on the past year based on his observations from the staff and faculty picnic.

“I think I would, and I think the other Board Members would probably go along with it, that we want to thank all the people that are working for the Board, for the year that we’ve had” he says. “I think we’ve had a good year, it’s had its ups and downs and some things going on but we got through it and didn’t have any great [things] that shook us up, but still I want to thank everybody that works for the Board.”