ONE OF THE BEST — Jenny Potts, a teacher at Buckeye South Elementary School, has earned the honor of being named the 2026 Ohio State Board of Education’s District 8 Teacher of the Year. The achievement qualifies her to be in the running for Ohio Teacher of the Year. -- Contributed

TILTONSVILLE — The work Jenny Potts has done inside and outside of the classroom has earned her the honor as being the 2026 Ohio State Board of Education’s District 8 Teacher of the Year.

This accolade also puts her in the running to become the Ohio Teacher of the Year.

The Buckeye South Elementary teacher from Wheeling has taught special education, kindergarten and first grade for Buckeye Local schools throughout the last 20 years. The nomination for this particular distinction came from her colleagues, as well as the community.

“Eight teachers were nominated in District 8,” Potts explained. “Three were then selected from those eight. Then, one was chosen from the three.”

“I feel excited, nervous, amazing and blessed with this honor,” she stated.

According to its website, the Ohio Teacher of the Year program has identified exceptional educators since 1964, celebrating their effective, inspiring work. The program’s mission is to “elevate their voice as leaders and advocates for the teaching profession and public education.”

Nominations began Feb. 1 and ran through the end of March. Those nominated must hold a professional Ohio teaching license, complete 10 years or more teaching preschool through 12th grade classes, be employed full-time in either a traditional school, a state-approved community school or a career center; must have worked directly with students at least 50 percent of the time; be someone who previously received recognition for the Ohio Teacher of the Year, and who plans to continue teaching.

Those selected for the annual title will represent the state as ambassadors for the teaching profession. The Ohio State Board of Education names a District Teacher of the Year in 11 regions. One of those 11 educators will then be selected to represent Ohio as the Teacher of the Year, statewide and nationally.

District 8 incorporates a large section of eastern Ohio, including 18 counties: Mahoning, Columbiana, Carroll, Jefferson, Harrison, Belmont, Guernsey, Tuscarawas, Noble, Monroe, Morgan, Washington, Athens, Meigs, Coshocton, Licking and portions of Holmes and Stark counties.

Potts said her decision to become an educator was easy. It was a family affair.

“My mother taught students with special needs at Brooke High School for 38 years, and I became a teacher to be like my mom,” Potts exclaimed.

She graduated from Wheeling Park High School in 2001, holds a bachelor of arts degree in early childhood education from West Liberty State College and possesses a master’s degree in reading from West Virginia University. Potts joined Buckeye Local in 2005. She has served as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher, and worked as an intervention specialist for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Today, she leads 20 students in her first-grade classroom, advises 10 pupils in the school’s student council organization and is the yearbook adviser.

Potts is known for her passion, drive and creativity. Her continuous improvement has led her to participate in many activities to support the school, district and county. She mentors new teachers, coordinates afterschool events, plans and hosts assemblies and implements and conducts school-wide music programs. She is a member of the Licensure and Professional Development Committee, the Community Outreach Committee, the Literacy Night Committee and the Building and Leadership Team. She is an honorary member of the Warren Township Lions Club.

Potts is known to perform as Candace Cane, a spirited character who causes chaos, while creating magic, for families at Oglebay Park. She is a member of the Wheeling Park Commission and has served as a superviser, day camp coordinator, welcome center host and a volunteer. She has received more than 40 customer service awards since 2020 and received numerous grants to aid educational projects, literacy events, book vending machines and the development of little libraries at Buckeye South and in the community of Tiltonsville. Her many efforts have even earned her recognition as Buckeye South’s Teacher of the Year in 2024.

In Potts’ spare time, she and her husband, Michael, enjoy traveling. She likes to care for a flock of domestic ducks which have taken up residence at Oglebay.

Buckeye Local Superintendent Coy Sudvary said he is “thrilled” for Potts, adding her nomination is “well-deserved.”

“We would like to congratulate Mrs. Potts on this wonderful honor,” Sudvary stated. “She goes above and beyond for her students. Mrs. Potts is a valuable asset to the students and staff at South Elementary. We are very proud of her success and wish her the best moving forward in the process for Ohio Teacher of the Year.”