Hardy County Schools Superintendent Sheena Van Meter said she believes every child was created with talents, gifts, and a purpose.
“As educators, it’s our job to help kids identify their purpose and make sure they have an opportunity to grow and practice their strengths so they can live happy and productive lives.”
Since 2017, Superintendent Van Meter has served Hardy County which she describes as a small, yet mighty community made up of people who work together for the betterment of the district.
“I love that I get to work in the small town that I grew up in and be part of a community where we all know and take care of one another. I also love the diversity and acceptance you’ll find among our students and staff. We are the most diverse school population in West Virginia with 16 different languages. I love what I do because I get to take on challenges that will contribute to making things better for the kids growing up in my hometown.”
Superintendent Van Meter graduated from Moorefield High School in 2000 and attended Shepherd University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Her first teaching position was at the Burlington Center, an institutional education facility operated by West Virginia, which is “still one of her favorite jobs of all time.” While teaching, she earned her master’s degree in special education from Fairmont University. After her experience in elementary education, she took a position in Grant County as an autism specialist, but that was just the beginning of her education career.
“I always knew I wanted to be an administrator, so in 2010, I obtained my administrative certification through Salem University and accepted an administrative job in my home county, Hardy, where I was a behavioral specialist and assistant principal. In 2012, I became the principal of Moorefield Intermediate School and remained there until 2017 when I moved to the central office as assistant superintendent and then accepted the position of superintendent just six weeks later.”
Superintendent Van Meter is currently working on her doctoral degree from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart, TJ, and together, they share three kids. She said she is very proud of her children: Isaac, a freshman who plays baseball at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland; Paige, a senior at Moorefield High School who will join her brother and cheer at Mount St. Mary’s next year; and Garrett, an eighth grader at Moorefield Middle School who plays baseball, football, and wrestles. She resides in Old Fields with her family and their two dogs and two cats.
Getting To Know Superintendent Van Meter
Favorite Book: “Professionally, I love the ‘Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen Covey, and the ‘Glass Castle’ by Jeannette Walls for entertainment. ”
Favorite Movies: “A Star is Born” with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga
Favorite Bands: “Aerosmith, Casting Crowns, and Eric Church are all currently on my playlist. I love all kinds of music.”
Favorite Hobbies: “Playing piano and saxophone.”
Professional Affiliations
- West Virginia School Superintendents’ Association (WVASA) | Member
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) | Member
- School Superintendents’ Association (ASA) | Member
- Board of Governors for Eastern WV Community and Technical College | Member