FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WVPREBB) – Though school may be out for students, teachers across West Virginia continue to be recognized for their dedication and hard work. The West Virginia Department of Education recently announced five finalists for Teacher of the Year, one of whom hails from north-central West Virginia.
βItβs very exciting, but then again, I always think you know, there are many other teachers that could be just as good as me, or are as good as me. So I donβt know, itβs justβitβs a very different feeling, itβs exciting but then again, why me?β said Krista Blankenship, a third-grade teacher at Pleasant Valley Elementary School in Fairmont.
Blankenship, nominated by a fellow teacher and colleague, has 18 years of teaching experience. She shared with 12 News that her favorite part of teaching is working with her students and their families, while providing students with real-life experiences in the classroom.
βHands-on is always the best approach. We try to incorporate that in the classroom as much as possible. This past year, I initiated a βTrout in the Classroomβ project, resulting in a large trout tank in my classroom. Although the tank eventually failed, it was a valuable learning experience and a lot of fun,β said Blankenship.
Another initiative led by Blankenship was securing a grant for a school-wide high tunnel. She expressed her desire to spread the positive impact of public schools if she wins the award.
βI cherish the time Iβve been a teacher and the impact that Iβve made on my students. I believe we need to share the positivity with others, including teachers, colleagues, and the public. Public school is a wonderful thing,β said Blankenship.
The winner of the 2025 West Virginia Teacher of the Year will be announced later this year.
Matt Pinner is a dedicated journalist for WVPrepBB.com, specializing in USA and crime news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for uncovering the truth, Matt brings timely and insightful reporting to his readers. His work on WVPrepBB.com keeps the community informed and engaged with the latest developments in national news and criminal justice.
