Harrison County educator and West Virginia Wesleyan College alum Renee Powell ‘10, M.Ed. ‘10, has been named a finalist for West Virginia Teacher of the Year.
A fourth-grade teacher at Big Elm Elementary School, Powell became an educator to help support students and their families struggling with finding resources to improve reading and mathematics.
“When I was growing up, I struggled a lot in elementary school,” Powell said. “My parents were wonderful and helped the best they could, but they didn’t always know the best ways or strategies to help me with reading and math. As I got older, I realized that many of my peers had similar experiences and that many families just needed tools and encouragement, not judgment.”
“I have always loved working with kids. I taught swim lessons and babysat growing up. But it was that early experience that made me want to teach and support families in meaningful ways. That’s why I send home weekly newsletters with simple strategies parents can use to support learning at home. I also started the Mystery Reader Program at my school, which invites community members to come into the classroom and share the joy of reading. Before their visit, they submit three clues about themselves, and the students try to guess who the ‘mystery reader’ is. When the reader is revealed, they share a book with the class and answer student questions. It’s been a great way to build connections between my school and the community.”
“What inspires me is knowing that I’m not just teaching students. I’m partnering with families and community members to build stronger support systems for my students.”
At WVWC, Powell found support to make her plans to be an educator happen, earning both her Bachelor of Arts in Education and Master’s in Education with a reading specialization. She achieved National Board Certification in 2019.
“Attending West Virginia Wesleyan College has been a tremendous advantage in my teaching career,” she said. “The smaller class sizes and strong student-to-professor ratio were especially important to me, particularly as a student-athlete balancing academics and athletics. The professors were incredibly supportive and instrumental in providing the skills, strategies, and hands-on experience I needed to succeed. Each methods course included extensive classroom hours, which gave me valuable real-world practice. Peer collaboration, meaningful feedback, and rigorous coursework all played a key role in my development. WVWC provided a well-rounded, supportive environment that truly prepared me to enter the classroom with confidence and purpose. I am always so thankful for my time spent there and that I chose WVWC.”
“I feel incredibly honored to be a finalist for the West Virginia Teacher of the Year Award,” Powell said. “All five of us bring unique strengths and experiences to the classroom, and it’s truly humbling to be recognized alongside such passionate and dedicated educators. I believe it speaks volumes about the quality of educators in West Virginia and the bright future we’re helping to build for generations to come.”
Powell will be recognized with the other finalists during a ceremony at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston on Sept. 9. The 2026 WV Teacher of the Year will also be named at the event. Read more about Powell and the other five finalists here.
Another WVWC alumnus, Erin Anderson ‘99, was named the 2021 West Virginia Teacher of the Year.
