Hancock County Schools recognize teacher, service personnel of the year
The Hancock County Board of Education, Monday, recognized its nominees and winner of the county’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. Those honored were, from left, Elizabeth Walsh, Stacy Riggs, Natalie Hall, Nicole Campbell, Emily Hores, Katie Kafton, Teacher of the Year Errin Basil, and Wendy Zinn. (Photo by Craig Howell)
Nominees and the winner of Hancock County’s 2023 Service Personnel of the Year were, from left, Bill Wiseman, Alicia Wells, Carolyn Puskarich, Linda Nicoles, Denise Hayes, Paul Guzzo, Service Personnel of the Year winner Lora Baumgarner, Lori Ballato and Carla Long. Melisa McIntosh also was nominated. (Photo by Craig Howell)
The Hancock County Board of Education, Monday, recognized its nominees and winner of the county’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. Those honored were, from left, Elizabeth Walsh, Stacy Riggs, Natalie Hall, Nicole Campbell, Emily Hores, Katie Kafton, Teacher of the Year Errin Basil, and Wendy Zinn. (Photo by Craig Howell)
Nominees and the winner of Hancock County’s 2023 Service Personnel of the Year were, from left, Bill Wiseman, Alicia Wells, Carolyn Puskarich, Linda Nicoles, Denise Hayes, Paul Guzzo, Service Personnel of the Year winner Lora Baumgarner, Lori Ballato and Carla Long. Melisa McIntosh also was nominated. (Photo by Craig Howell)
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NEW CUMBERLAND -- Hancock County Schools recognized some of the top teachers and service personnel in the county, Monday, as part of the regular meeting of the county board of education.
Kicking off the meeting, Superintendent Dan Enich introduced the nominees for the county's 2023 Service Personnel of the Year and Teacher of the Year. He then announced Errin Basil of Weirton Elementary as Teacher of the Year, and Lora Baumgarner as Service Personnel of the Year.
Basil, a fourth-grade teacher with 21 years of experience in education, was recognized, in part, for her creativity in the classroom, which includes a yearly virtual trip to Ireland, which also provides lessons on financial management as students have to budget for their travel and experiences.
"I never thought this would have been me," she said after receiving the award.
The remaining nominees for Teacher of the Year were Nicole Campbell of New Manchester Elementary; Natalie Hall of A.T. Allison Elementary; Katie Kafton of Oak Glen Middle; Wendy Zinn of Oak Glen High; Stacy Riggs of Weir Middle; Emily Hores of Weir High; and Elizabeth Walsh of the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center.
Baumgarner is an aide at Oak Glen High, with six years of experience in the county. Among her efforts is the creation of a tea shop within the school.
"I really appreciate it. I love my job," Baumgarner said, adding if someone had told her in her youth she would be working in a high school, she wouldn't have believed it, but she's glad to have the opportunity. "I absolutely adore my job. It's not even a job."
Others receiving nominations this year were Linda Nicoles of New Manchester Elementary;
Melissa McIntosh of A.T. Allison Elementary; Alicia Wells of Oak Glen Middle; Paul Guzzo of Weirton Elementary; Carla Long of Weir Middle; Carolyn Puskarich of Weir High; Denise Hayes of the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center; Bill Wiseman of the Transportation Department; and Lori Ballato of the Central Kitchen.