HONORED EDUCATOR — The Brooke County Board of Education recognized Ash Leigh Negri, a third-grade teacher at Franklin Intermediate South, as Brooke County Teacher of the Year Monday. With Negri are Scott Donohew, the school’s principal; and Jeff Crook, Brooke County superintendent of schools. Also recognized was bus driver Rick Schoonmaker as the county’s Service Personnel Member of the Year. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Brooke County school officials say Ash Leigh Negri’s love for teaching shows in her interaction with her pupils, the interactive lessons she engages them in and her willingness to learn more about her profession.

On Monday, the Brooke County Board of Education recognized Negri as the county’s Teacher of the Year, as well as Rick Schoonmaker, the first bus driver in the school district to be named Service Personnel Member of the Year.

Scott Donohew — principal of Franklin Intermediate South, where Negri teaches third grade — said, “she’s got great energy, great rapport with the kids. She cares about education and teaching is her life.”

Lori McLaughlin, director of elementary and pre-kindergarten education for the school district, said, “Her classroom flows like a well-oiled machine.”

She added Negri always is willing to undergo more training and bring back valuable information from it to her colleagues.

A 2006 graduate of Brooke High School, Negri went on to earn a degree in digital art at Duquesne University before shifting her career goal to teaching and earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Liberty University.

Asked what interested her in the field, she replied, “Just helping kids and seeing them understand is interesting and fun.”

Asked about teachers who have influenced her, Negri recalled Leslie Bacich, a second-grade teacher at the former St. Anthony’s School who took time to tutor her after school.

“She was an amazing teacher,” said Negri.

In her seventh year in Brooke County Schools, she said she’s found teaching to be very satisfying.

“Being in the classroom with the kids and teaching them new things. That’s the best part for sure,” said Negri.

Jeff Crook, Brooke County superintendent of schools, said he’s witnessed Negri at work and found she brings both structure and enthusiasm to her classroom.

He added she keeps her pupils engaged through interactive lessons, including Scoot!, a game in which they solve math and other problems printed on cards placed around the classroom.

“You do a phenomenal job with the kids,” Crook told her, adding, “We’re very proud of you and we thank you for all of your hard work in and out of the classroom.”

He noted Negri and other county teachers of the year have been submitted for consideration for West Virginia Teacher of the Year.

Each year the school board also invites nominations from the district’s service personnel, including secretaries, cooks and custodians.

Schoonmaker has been found in recent years behind the wheel of a school bus instead of the police cruiser he once drove in his previous career as a Brooke County sheriff’s deputy.

He was unable to attend Monday’s meeting, but school officials were happy to comment on the job he’s performed.

Transportation Director Ron Staffileno said Schoonmaker is very dependable, always willing to change a bus route or add one when needed.

Crook said of him, “He’s dedicated, he’s hard working. He really works hard for the kids.”

While the superintendent and others presented the award to Schoonmaker recently at the board office, Crook said he will be invited again to a future meeting.

In other business, the school board:

• Approved the $34,040 purchase of 10 wall-mounted touchscreen computers for classrooms.

• Accepted a bid of $3,892 for the annual test and inspection of school facilities’ fire alarm systems by Brewer and Company of West Virginia Inc.

• Agreed to hold its June and July meetings at 5 p.m., instead of 6 p.m., on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at its office at 1201 Pleasant Ave.

It also was announced the board’s next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. May 27 because May 26 is Memorial Day.