TENNERTON — Upshur County Schools’ exemplary professional staff and service personnel were recognized for their dedication to students at the May 7 Upshur County Board of Education meeting.

UCS Superintendent Christy Miller and UCS Assistant Superintendent Russ Collett presented awards to each Teacher of the Year at the school level and each Service Personnel of the Year at the school level for the 2023-2024 school year at Tuesday’s meeting. Miller then announced the two districtwide winners — Upshur County Schools Teacher of the Year Sharon Walton and Upshur County Schools Service Personnel of the Year Karen McClure.

“If you are here tonight to be recognized for this, we first and foremost want to say congratulations,” Miller said. “This really is a tribute to you and all of the hard work and effort that you put in with our students on a daily basis.”

“It is not easy; it becomes more and more difficult each year as we learn how to navigate the changing behaviors and the things that kids bring to school and to us, but yet each day you show up. You plan, and you are dedicated to our students. Congratulations! We are very proud of each one of you.”

Miller announced that Walton, an itinerant music teacher based at French Creek Elementary School, had won Upshur County Teacher of the Year.

“Thank you so much,” Walton said as Collett handed her congratulatory flowers. “I’m very surprised — there’s so many deserving people out there, and it’s a true pleasure. This is my 33rd year teaching in this county and it’s been a joy, so thank you very much.”

“I am proud to announce that the 2023-2024 Service Personnel of the Year for Upshur County Schools is Karen McClure,” Miller said. “Our winners (in each category) will now go on to represent us at the state-level competition … they will need to reach out to us at the board office, and we will help you finish that [application] package because we just feel very confident in you and your ability to bring a win home to Upshur County once again.”