CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Tuesday was a big night for some of the state’s top educators as the winners of the West Virginia School Service Personnel of the Year and Teacher of Year were announced.
The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) and the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) honored Gary Brydie as the 2024 School Service Personnel of the Year. The 2024 West Virginia Teacher of the Year was awarded to Sharon Cole.
WVBE Vice President Nancy White, Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt and members of the State Board of Education took part in the awards ceremony at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia in Charleston. It was the first “Celebration of Excellence in Education” event held in person since the pandemic.
The five finalists for each award were invited to the celebration. Each county winner was also in attendance.
Gary Brydie hails from Cabell County where he has been a school bus operator for more than 12 years.
Brydie’s colleagues describe him as “a model employee who takes pride in providing safe transportation for his students and serving as a role model for youth.”
Superintendent Blatt said, “Mr. Byrdie provides the extra layer of support that educators, students and families often need. He is the heart and soul of the school community. He personifies the key role he and his colleagues serve each day in the Cabell County community and around the state.”
Brydie said he was speechless when he won the Cabell County award. He said he enjoys being around the kids and showing them the difference between right and wrong.
“I love children,” Brydie said. “I like being a part of their making and their development.”
Brydie is heavily involved with his church and said he enjoys teaching young kids and having a positive influence on them. He also offered thanks to his wife for showing him how to be a good caretaker for kids.
“She did daycare at our home for 32 years so I learned from her how to take care of children,” Brydie said.
Sharon Cole has been an educator in Wayne County Schools for over 34 years. She currently teaches second grade at Ceredo-Kenova Elementary. She is also the first ever winner of Teacher of the Year from Wayne County.
“Our Teachers of the Year are known for being dedicated, passionate and thoughtful when it comes to education. Mrs. Cole is no exception,” said Superintendent Blatt. “She embodies every characteristic of what makes an amazing teacher. She has set a sterling example for our future teachers and will continue the tradition of excellence of state teachers of the year.”
Cole is described as having a “rigorous and engaging” teaching strategy. She loves teaching and said she always tends to learn more from her students every single year.
“My students have taught me so much about life, love and learning, I feel certain that I have learned far more from them than they have probably learned from me,” said Cole.
The veteran teacher said good things are happening in Wayne County. She thanked the administration, teachers and staff that she has worked with before and now that have helped her along the way.
“I have been all over Wayne County,” Cole said. “I want to say thank you to Wayne County for all the opportunities and everything you’ve done to make me the educator I am today.”