All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Glenville State University students complete teaching internships

(l-r) Dr. Gerda Kumpiene, Connie Stout O’Dell, Scott Barber, Lori Ray, Cameron Knopp, Adison Woods, Abigail Taylor, Larry Baker, Heather Sears, Spencer Blackburn, Maureen Gildein, Gabriella Wood, Dr. Shelly Ratliff. (GSU Photo/Seth Stover)

GLENVILLE, WV – Eight students have completed their student teaching internships for Glenville State University (GSU) during the spring 2023 semester.

Scott Barber of Beckley, West Virginia completed his student teaching in Music Education (PreK-Adult) at Mabscott Elementary School with Bethany Weimer and at Woodrow Wilson High School with Pamela Shrader. Dr. Gerda Kumpiene and Dr. David Lewis were his GSU supervisors. He is the son of Paula Carroll of Beckley.

Spencer Blackburn of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania completed his student teaching in Health and Physical Education (PreK-Adult) at Gilmer County High School with Amy Chapman and at Gilmer County Elementary School with Julia Stewart. Maureen Gildein was his GSU supervisor. He is the son of Libby and Mike Blackburn of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Cameron Knopp of Williamstown, West Virginia completed her student teaching in Music Education (PreK-Adult) at Williamstown Elementary with Meaghan Hahn and at Parkersburg South High School with Greg Meyers. Dr. Gerda Kumpiene and Dr. David Lewis were her GSU supervisors. She is the daughter of Susan and Perry Knopp of Williamstown.

Lori Ray of Wallback, West Virginia completed her student teaching at Geary Elementary/Middle School in Elementary Education (K-6) with Jackie Higginbotham and in Multi-categorical Special Education (K-6) with Regina Jurkovich. Dr. Gerda Kumpiene was her GSU supervisor. She is the daughter of Charles and Lisa Ray of Wallback.

Heather Sears of Duck, West Virginia completed her student teaching at Gilmer County Elementary School in Elementary Education (K-6) with Erica Dennison and in Multi-categorical Special Education (K-6) with Tamera Moore. Dr. Shelly Ratliff and Dr. Gerda Kumpiene were her GSU supervisors. She is the daughter of Sara and Jamie Sears of Duck.

Abigail Taylor of Mount Carbon, West Virginia completed her student teaching in Elementary Education (K-6) and General Science Education (5-9) at Fayetteville PK-8 with Jennifer Gills-Scott and Amy Adkins. Her GSU supervisors were Dr. Gerda Kumpiene and Dr. Ashley Kooken. She is the daughter of Brett and Angela Taylor of Mount Carbon. Taylor was also recognized as the Kappa Delta Pi Outstanding Student Intern for Spring 2023.

Gabriella Wood of Arnoldsburg, West Virginia completed her student teaching in English Education (5-Adult) at Gilmer County High School with Barbara Yoder and at Calhoun County Middle School with Sallie Stewart. Dr. Shelly Ratliff and Dr. Melody Wise were her GSU supervisors. She and her husband Justin reside in Arnoldsburg. She is the daughter of Sheila Brown of Arnoldsburg and Robert Brown and Angelina Hunt-Brown of Harrisburg, North Carolina.

Adison Woods of Duck, West Virginia completed her student teaching at Frametown Elementary School in Elementary Education (K-6) with Laura Allen and in Early Education (PreK-K) with Patricia Nicholas. Dr. Shelly Ratliff was her GSU supervisor. She is the daughter of Brent and Charity Woods of Duck.

Senior teacher education students take part in an internship during their final semester at GSU. At the conclusion of their internship students must complete a presentation illustrating their mastery of the Interstate New Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards as well as the standards of their particular area of study.

For more information about the Teacher Education Program at Glenville State University, contact (304) 462-4119.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon Community Theatre honors Felicia Burger Westfall Johnston with 2025 Knorr Award

Felicia Burger Westfall Johnston, an early pioneer of Buckhannon Community Theatre who has starred in productions and served on the board of directors, received the 2025 Knorr Award.

Leadership Upshur dives into healthcare and public safety during December session

The December Leadership Upshur session offered participants a close look at the people, systems and teamwork that keep the community safe and healthy, with visits to Community Care of West Virginia, WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Buckhannon Public Safety Complex.

Garnieta “Gay” Baxa

Garnieta “Gay” Baxa, 92, of Old Elkins Road died December 10, 2025; she is survived by husband Howard “Frank” Baxa, three children, seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and extended family, with services at Heavner and Cutright.

Basketball ‘Cats tumble to Point Park, 90-66

Point Park’s hot perimeter shooting and a dominant second half sank WVWC 90-66, with the Pioneers hitting 15 threes and capitalizing on turnovers while Wesleyan’s Isaiah Baker and Stephen Ovia fought inside.

Dandridge scores 30 as Wesleyan women down Point Park, 83-58

Freshman Kilah Dandridge scored 30 points as West Virginia Wesleyan shot 53% and dominated a 29‑point third quarter to beat Point Park 83-58, paced by Ana Young (18) and Emma Witt (15).

Webster Springs man arrested on strangulation charge after allegedly spitting on and choking victim

Police arrested a man on a felony strangulation charge after he allegedly admitted to spitting on, slapping and choking another person, according to a criminal complaint.

Volga man arrested after threatening officer at Upshur County Courthouse

A 59-year-old Volga man was arrested after allegedly threatening a deputy during processing at the Upshur County Courthouse following a DUI stop. He faces charges including DUI, possession of marijuana and retaliation against a public official; bail is $19,500.

WVWC’s first Master’s in Counseling students set to graduate

WVWC marks a milestone Friday as the first six graduates of its new Master of Arts in Counseling program cross the stage, bolstering West Virginia’s mental health workforce.

Robert “Bob” Linville Chaney

Robert “Bob” Linville Chaney, 90, a retired oil and gas supply worker, Air Force veteran, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather from Fairmont and formerly of Buckhannon, died December 9, 2025.