CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice and others recognized Jada Reeves, West Virginia’s 2019 Teacher of the Year, with awards totaling more than $15,000 during a ceremony Thursday at the state Capitol.
Reeves, a fifth-grade teacher at Bradley Elementary in Mt. Hope, serves as the lead coordinator for the Southern West Virginia National Board Certification Cohort through the West Virginia Department of Education. She also is the school’s Instructional Practices Inventory Team, Leadership, and Wellness Committees and conducts training sessions for Raleigh County’s Innovative Team and serves on the Levy Planning Committee.
Reeves appeared on Thursday’s MetroNews ‘Talkline’ and said she was surprised she won the Teacher of the Year award.
“I knew I was one of the finalists,” she said. “There are so many amazing teachers in West Virginia, I thought there was a lot of competition. I am fortunate enough to be the one chosen.”
Reeves received an undergraduate degree from Concord University and a graduate degree from Marshall University. She said once she got into teaching, she knew it could be for life.
“I love kids and I love what I do every day,” she said. “If you love what you do, you don’t really want to change your job.”
West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Steven Paine, West Virginia Board of Education members, and representatives from Toyota Motor Manufacturing of West Virginia, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Horace Mann Insurance Solutions, WesBanco, and the West Virginia Lottery joined the governor and Reeves.
In addition to a cash award, Reeves will be allowed to use a Toyota vehicle for the next year for fulfilling her duties as Teacher of the Year.
“I could not possibly think of another profession that would be as inspiring as an educator. I adore my students and am passionate about teaching. Knowing I will step into my classroom each morning and tackle the day together with my students is always an encouraging thought,” Reeves said. “It is my hope during the next year to inspire other educators across West Virginia and the nation to awaken their passion for teaching.”
She discussed on ‘Talkline’ more of her passion for a connection with the kids and how the children help her through bad days and vice versa.
“As soon as the kids walk in my room, I have them greet me,” she said. “That is one of the morning things they have to do. They have to give me a hug, a handshake, or a high five. They always light up, they hug me and they are always excited to see me and tell me something that has happened the day before. Just knowing that I am needed and make the kids happy is how it gets me through.”
“For students it’s them knowing that you care about them, having conversations about their home life or things they are interested in. If the kids know that you care about them and you’ve made that connection, it makes it a little bit easier because they want to please you.”
Reeves will represent West Virginia as a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year Award, which will be announced in April.