Teacher of the Year finalists announced

PARKERSBURG - The Wood County Schools Teacher of the Year Committee has announced five finalists for 2025 Wood County Schools Teacher of the Year.

This year’s finalists are:

  • Cassi Hitt – Gihon Elementary

  • Jennifer Ratliff – Parkersburg South

  • Katie Nestor – Parkersburg South

  • Marley Jolly – Neale Elementary

  • Heather King – Blennerhassett Elementary

The finalists were selected by the committee from a pool of 42 applicants from schools throughout the district.

The committee is comprised of representatives from the district’s teacher associations, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley and West Virginia University at Parkersburg, and the two most recent Wood County Schools Teachers of the Year.

The finalists were selected based on their qualifications, applications and essay answers.

All five finalists will be interviewed Wednesday, April 3, by the committee and the 2025 Wood County Schools Teacher of the Year will be announced at the April 9 Wood County Board of Education meeting.

The 2025 Wood County Schools Teacher of the Year will represent the district in the 2025 West Virginia Teacher of the Year competition.