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West Virginia’s 2027 Teacher of the Year says the leadership lessons she learned in 4-H helped prepare her for the classroom.
Princeton Senior High School English teacher Laura Presley received the statewide honor in September. In an October 6 release from West Virginia University Extension, she described how 4-H gave her opportunities to lead other children and express her creativity.
Her 4-H involvement began with the Princeton Dakotas club as a third-grader. Camp in Mercer County followed a year later, and she took on counselor duties in eighth grade. She later became a West Virginia 4-H All Star.
“I definitely credit 4-H for teaching me how to be a leader and encouraging me to be creative, whether that was writing songs or meditations, and I guarantee that has helped me be a better teacher. It’s unique in the way it lets kids lead each other. We really had the space to grow into our roles,” Presley said in the release.
Presley is in her 19th year of teaching and her 16th at Princeton Senior High, where she was once a student. Beyond English classes, she helps organize homecoming, graduation and move-up day.
“I just feel like I was born to teach. Once I got started student-teaching in a high school and saw all the things I could get involved in, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. Those extracurriculars made my high school experience so great, and I wanted to give that same experience to my own students,” Presley said.
She holds National Board certification and mentors teachers working toward it. Her education includes a Concord University bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree and leadership certification from Marshall University.
The release says her formal induction is planned for January and that she intends to develop initiatives recognizing teachers across West Virginia.
Her upcoming appearances include leading Concord University’s homecoming parade as grand marshal. According to the university’s event listing, the parade begins at 6 p.m. October 15 on Vermillion Street in Athens.
WVU Extension’s 4-H program operates in all 55 West Virginia counties, according to the release. Families can learn more through Extension’s website.
