April 30, 2024, Princeton, WV: Mercer County Schools held a banquet on Tuesday night at the Chuck Mathena Center to celebrate the Teacher of the Year nominees from each school. The nominees, their families, friends, and principals enjoyed a catered meal from David’s Downtown and had the chance to mingle and catch up with colleagues from all over the county.
Ms. Angela Wilson, last year’s Mercer County Teacher of the Year, was Mistress of Ceremonies and former Teacher of the Year, Michelle Martin, assisted in announcing the nominees as they made their way to the front to receive their plaques. Mercer County Board of Education President Greg Prudich, Vice President Jacinda Santon-Smith, and members Jim Bailey, Paul Hodges, and Mark Godfrey shook each nominee’s hand before having their picture taken with Superintendent Edward Toman.
Mr. Toman then took to the podium to announce the Mercer County Teacher of the Year winner who will represent our county in the West Virginia Teacher of the Year competition. The 2024-2025 Mercer County Teacher of the Year is Kimberly Yahya, a 4th grade teacher at Athens Elementary. Mrs. Yahya is described by Principal Shelley Weiss:
“Mrs. Yahya is a constant burst of positivity within our school. She is always willing to share a smile and a story about something that brightens the day down the fourth-grade hallway. She ensures her students are always engaged and learning, and every time anyone enters her room, they can immediately tell that teaching is her passion. She sings, she dances, and she has even been known to do a cartwheel! Our 4th grade has recently departmentalized, therefore, after many years of teaching all subjects, she now primarily teaches math to all 4th graders. She has poured all her energy into becoming an exemplary math teacher. This year, Mrs. Yahya has been an active trainer for Mercer County’s Mathematical Mindsets and a member of the state’s Unite with Numeracy Team. Every year, she builds strong bonds with her students that last a lifetime. For example, this relationship is evident by the fact that every year she cries during our graduation walk with seniors because those are “her kids”, and she is always the first teacher they want to see.”
Mrs. Yahya was extremely surprised and made her way to the podium amid a standing ovation from all in attendance. In her speech, she thanked the teachers she had who made her who she is today and acknowledged her colleagues and principal at Athens School. Congratulations to Mrs. Yahya and all Teacher of the Year nominees.