As we construct a bright beginning for our upcoming PreK year, we're excited to introduce the teachers who fill our classrooms with joy, learning, and lots of smiles.  

Upshur County's exclusive builders of early learning in PreK classrooms are Upshur County Schools, MountainCAP, and the Child Development Center.  Together, these partners operate WV Department of Education Universal PreK Classrooms in the following locations: 

Buckhannon Academy Elementary

Child Development Center

French Creek Elementary

Hodgesville Elementary

MountainCAP

Union Elementary

Washington District Elementary

Hodgesville Elementary

Susan Michael (ECCAT)

Permanent ECCAT Certification PK-K

Taylor Tenney (PreK Teacher)

B.A. in Early Childhood Education | PK-6th | Preschool Special Needs

Mrs. Michael: "I love working with the little ones, and I enjoy being the first point of connection for their families--welcoming parents into the school community.  PreK is truly the best!" 

Child Development Center

Carla Yoakum (PreK Teacher)

B.A. in Applied Behavior Science | Minor Early Childhood Development | WVDE Permanent PK Community Programs Authorization 

Ashley Frame (ECCAT, ACDS)

Mrs. Yoakum: "I value the opportunity to support children during one of the most important stages of their development.  Being part of their early growth--academically, socially, and emotionally--is incredibly meaningful to me.  Watching their progress each day and helping them build a strong foundation for future learning is what inspires my work in early childhood education." 

Mrs. Frame: "My heart is happiest when I'm sitting in a tiny chair surrounded by big imaginations!  PreK hands may be little but the live they give is HUGE!"

MountainCAP

Tanley Triplett (ECCAT)

Shantelle McDougal (PreK Teacher)

B.S. Family and Consumer Sciences | B.S. Child Development and Family Studies | WVDE Permanent PK Community Programs Authorization 

Ms. Triplet: "I love working with PreK kids because they're so curious and excited about everything!  It's awesome to see them learn new things and have fun every day.  Their energy and happiness make my job super rewarding!"

Mrs. McDougal: "I love seeing the students' love of learning and the amount of growth they show during their first year in school.  Also, kids at this age are open and honest, and I get a lot of laughs during the day because of that!"

Washington District  Elementary

Jill Stemple (PreK Teacher)

National Board Certified Teacher (Early Childhood) | M.Ed.| Early Education PreK-K | Multisubjects K-8 | Preschool Special Needs

Bethany Hunt (ECCAT)

Permanent ECCAT Certification PK-3

Mrs. Stemple: " The thing I have loved most about teaching young children is seeing them use their imaginations and seeing how creative they can be.  I have loved helping them develop a love for learning.  Each day we learn together!"

Mrs. Hunt: "I have a genuine love for working with young children.  It brings me so much joy to see students learn new things, make new friends, and to see all of the fun creative work they make.  For me, it is important to become a safe space for students coming to school for the first time, to build relationships with students, and to help them learn and grow.  Being a PreK teacher gives me the privilege to have fun with the kids and to help teach in a creative and playful environment." 

Buckhannon Academy Classroom 2

Kelley McNeish (PreK Teacher)

B.S. Elementary Education K-8 | Early Education Specialization PreK-K | PreK Special Needs PK-K | M.Ed. Reading Specialist K-12

Sheena Hoover (ECCAT)

Permanent ECCAT Certification PK-3

Mrs. McNeish: "The goal of PreK is to activiate the child's natural interest in learning.  We provide a child centered environment that is engaging and full of wonder and discovery.  'Play is the Work of Childhood.'"

Mrs. Hoover: "You see magic in small breakthroughs.  In PreK, growth happens in tiny steps and you feel the magic in each one.  When a child writes their name for the very first time, learns how to share with a friend, it fills you with genuine joy.  You see the pride and excitement on their faces.  These moments may seem small to others, but to me, they're powerful signs of confidence, discovery, and blooming independence."

French Creek Elementary

Beth Johnston (PreK Teacher)

Elementary Education K-6 | Early Education PK-K | Deaf/Hard of Hearing PK-Adult | PreK Special Needs PK-K

Carmela McHenry (ECCAT)

Permanent ECCAT Certification PK-3 | Paraprofessional PK-Adult

Mrs. Johnston: "The love and excitement our PreK children show for school and learning is contagious!  They come in each day with happiness and joy to be with their peers and teachers.  It is heart warming to have past students say 'I want to come back to PreK with you.  It was the BEST time.'"

Mrs. McHenry: "Seeing that 'ah-ha' moment when a student makes a connection makes it all worth it."

Buckhannon Academy Classroom 1

Sarah Critchfield (PreK Teacher)

PreK Education | Preschool Special Needs PK-K

Terri Egress (ECCAT)

Permanent ECCAT Certification PK-3 | Paraprofessional

Each classroom is guided by a dedicated duo:  a Lead PreK Teacher and an Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher (ECCAT), both fully certified by the West Virginia Department of Education.  

Administrative Supervisor | National Board Certified Teacher (Early Childhood) | M.Ed. | PreK Special Needs Birth-K | Multi-Subject K-8 | Multi-categorical Special Education K-Adult | Autism K-AD  

"As supervisor of the Upshur County PreK program, I have the privilege of witnessing first hand the excitement, curiosity, and growth of our youngest learners.  High-quality PreK is about so much more than letters and numbers--it's about nurturing confidence, building social skills, and supporting families.  Being part of a team that works together to give every child in our community the best start is a privilege--and I'm grateful to be part of this meaningful work."

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