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The Steubenville City School District is known across the region and around the state for providing a top-notch educational experience.
One of the biggest reasons is the quality of teachers the district has been able to attract and the hard work and dedication those educators put into their jobs.
An example is Heather Hoover, who has been named the National Teacher of the Year for Project Lead the Way Launch, a hands-on, problem-based STEM curriculum for elementary students.
The national organization encourages students to develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills that they can use in STEM careers or other career paths. Since it was founded 26 years ago, the organization says it has worked toward the creation of a transformative learning environment that empowers students and helps them to become excited about learning.
Key to that process are educators like Hoover. The project lead teacher at McKinley STEM Academy, she provides district staff members with training and professional development and oversees students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
It's a formula that works. According to Project Lead the Way, 87 percent of the students involved with the program in grades six through eight report that the curriculum has made them more interested in STEM -- the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Hoover, who also serves as Steubenville's Third Ward councilwoman, was recognized for her achievements on Nov. 29, when project officials, staff members and school administrators held a surprise celebration that included students, her fellow teachers, family members and friends.
Among those on hand was Dave Dimmett, the president and CEO of PLTW, who described Hoover as being a special teacher.
"She just stands out as somebody who gets young people excited about learning," he explained. "She's excited about learning. She has a passion for it. Her students see that it's contagious."
Through that enthusiasm, Dimmett said, Hoover and her fellow educators are able to make sure their students are prepared for bright and wonderful futures.
Those efforts are making a difference in the students the program touches. Under Hoover's leadership, city schools have earned numerous honors: McKinley has earned Project Lead the Way Distinguished School Honors in 2021, 2022 and 2023; Harding Middle School won that distinction in 2022 and 2023; and East Garfield Elementary School, Wells Academy and Pugliese West Elementary School took the honor in 2023.
There are, Dimmett said, 100,000 Project Lead the Way teachers across the country, 40,000 of whom work at the elementary level.
That makes Hoover's selection as teacher of the year impressive, and is a testament to the hard work and dedication to their craft that she and her fellow educators bring to their students and Steubenville City Schools each day.