Alumni Spotlight

Teachers Of The Year

Monongalia County's 2018 Teacher of the Year

Kevin Kieffer

Just four years into his teaching career at North Elementary School in Morgantown, W.Va., Kevin Kieffer learned that he had been selected as the school’s nominee for Monongalia County Teacher of the Year. Then, Kieffer learned that he’d won.

“That was a surprise,” Kieffer said. “North Elementary just has absolutely amazing teachers, so to get the nomination from them was such an honor. And then, to find out that I got the award for the entire county was baffling.”

In 2010, Kieffer earned his bachelor’s degree in education from WVU Parkersburg. After that, he moved to Morgantown and began working as a long-term substitute teacher for Monongalia County. He also enrolled in CEHS’ online master’s degree program in Instructional Design and Technology, which allowed him the flexibility to work full-time and further his education.

Kieffer completed his master’s program in 2013 and stayed in Morgantown as a long-term substitute at North Elementary, a position that led to his current role as a fourth-grade teacher. In his classroom, Kieffer works to educate students in both academics and in important life skills.

“I really push for student accountability,” Kieffer said. “I want my students to work hard because they want to work hard, not because that’s what I expect them to do. It’s definitely made a big difference because they set their own goals, and they’re looking to be successful in those.”

As for Kieffer’s future plans, he’s considering pursuing his math certification and possibly his principal certification. For the time being, however, he’s happy to be where he is.

“I don’t see anything changing in the near future because I absolutely love being in the classroom,” Kieffer said.

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West Virginia's 2017 State Teacher of the Year

Toni Poling

From paleontology to law, Toni Poling’s childhood career interests were often inspired by the books she read. When she was a senior in high school, Poling’s English teacher pointed out that she was more interested in the books’ characters than their careers. It was this love of literature that ultimately drove Poling to enter the education field.

Twelve years into her teaching career at Fairmont Senior High School in Marion County, Poling is West Virginia’s 2017 State Teacher of the Year, a title that has allowed her to advocate for the teaching profession at both the state and national levels.

“It’s given me the opportunity for travel and teaching on a national platform, which is amazing in itself,” Poling said. “It’s changed my life.” 

Over the course of the past year, Poling has met with fellow Teachers of the Year from all 50 states and U.S. territories, and attended conferences in Dallas, San Diego, Washington, D.C., and Princeton, N.J. With the other teachers, Poling has discussed their role as educators, developed platforms and interacted with policymakers like Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. 

Poling also met President Donald Trump during a White House visit and even attended Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. In January 2018, she’ll travel to Atlanta with Extra Yard for Teachers to attend the National College Football Championship.

Poling’s nationwide experiences have been valuable, but advocating for education in West Virginia is
her passion. A representative for all West Virginia teachers, Poling encourages up-and-coming educators to stay in the state for teaching. 

“I want to keep our best and brightest teachers here in the state and get them into the classroom to serve our students,” Poling said. “That will move our state forward in the education field.” 

Growing up, Poling enjoyed many long family car rides throughout West Virginia; these experiences instilled her with pride for her home state.

“My dad always talked about being a Mountaineer,” Poling said. 

It was during a perfect October day that Poling decided to become an official Mountaineer. She attended a major interest fair at WVU, where she learned about CEHS’ teaching program and knew it was the right fit for her; she completed the program in 2004.

Poling credits the seamless, blended-learning experience in CEHS’ education program with her success as a teacher.

As a student, Poling was able to mesh the educational theories, pedagogies and curriculum she was learning in class with the practical experience of her student-teaching placement. She quickly saw these theories play out in her students’ learning, an experience that she was able to apply in her own coursework.

“Reading about strategies and practicing on college students is great, but you learn more while student-teaching,” Poling said. “It takes everything to the next level.”

CEHS offered Poling support from her cohort and professors, as well as opportunities for growth and professional development.

“I felt like nothing was off limits in the program,” Poling said.

Poling will visit WVU in April 2018 to share her expertise with CEHS students.