NEW CUMBERLAND - The 2013 Hancock County Teacher of the Year is a 1998 alumna of Weir High School who finds a way to make sophomore English fun.
Lissa Dulick, 32, of Weirton, was announced as Teacher of the Year at Tuesday's regular meeting of the Hancock County Board of Education.
"She is very deserving," said Superintendent Suzan Smith. "She has done quite a lot."
Article Photos
TOP TEACHER — Lissa Dulick, a teacher at Weir High School is shown in this file photo from November 2011 after being presented with the Milken National Educator Award. On Tuesday, the Hancock County Board of Education named Dulick the county’s teacher of the year. -- File photo
Dulick, who also teaches journalism through the Rider Review school newspaper, was among nine nominees for Teacher of the Year.
"It's a tremendous honor. I'm proud to represent Weir High School and Hancock County," said Dulick, who will compete for similar honors at the state level.
Dulick demurred when asked about her teaching abilities but then said, "The biggest compliment I get from my students is that I treat them all equally and fairly. They appreciate that. They say they learn a lot and have fun at the same time, which is not always easy when it comes to English."
Dulick, a graduate of West Virginia University with a master's degree in secondary education, is no stranger to teaching awards. In November, she was named one of only 39 recipients of the prestigious Milken Educator Award. Dulick received $25,000 from the Milken Family Foundation to do with as she chooses.
Smith praised all nine nominees as equally deserving of the title, Teacher of the Year.
"Any one of these teachers would represent Hancock County well. All of them have a passion for teaching and for children," Smith said. "Every one of these teachers has the perseverance to teach anyone in their classroom. They are great models of education, and all use a variety of teaching strategies."
The other nominees were:
Michele Lynch of Allison Elementary in Chester;
Jennifer Sanner of Broadview Elementary in Weirton;
Kristeen Davis of Liberty Elementary in Weirton;
Donna Carnes of New Manchester Elementary;
Jennifer Curtis of Weirton Heights Elementary;
Amy Hannahs of Oak Glen Middle School;
Eric Olson of Weir Middle School; and
Megan Walker of Oak Glen High School.
"What all these teachers share is the human connection they have with their students," Smith said.
All the nominees first won the Teacher of the Year title for their school. They were then evaluated for Hancock County honors by a six-member selection committee.
In other business Tuesday, the school board approved a lease agreement with CHANGE, Inc., of Weirton, to provide health care services at the new Weirton Elementary School.
The school, scheduled to be completed in two years, will unite Liberty, Broadview and Weirton Heights elementary schools under one roof. It also will house an adjoining health care facility known as a school-based health center.
Currently, there are no such facilities in the state's Northern Panhandle. Once developed, it will be the largest one in the state because the new school is expected to have 950 students, board President Jerry Durante said.
(Huba can be contacted at shuba@reviewonline.com)
