Teacher Of the Year
Seth Skiles – Putnam County
Seth Skiles is a passionate music educator and West Virginia native serving as an elementary music specialist at Rock Branch Elementary School. Skiles earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Anderson University. He obtained a master’s degree in church music with a conducting concentration from Belmont University. After teaching elementary music in the Nashville area, Skiles returned to West Virginia, bringing acquired educational practices and cultural experiences to his home school district.
He is certified in the John Feierabend First Steps in Music curriculum and is pursuing National Board Certification. Skiles’ professional development experience includes the University Mozarteum Orff Institute’s International Elemental Music course in Salzburg, Austria; conducting intensives through Rider University’s Westminster Choir College; West Virginia University’s World Music Pedagogy course; Disney Institute’s Approach to Leadership Excellence course; and state music education conferences in Indiana, Tennessee and West Virginia. His passion for arts education influences the classroom environment, creating a learning atmosphere driven by student engagement and proactive learning.
Service Personnel of the Year
Nicole McCulley – Marshall County
Nicole McCulley is known for her exceptional role as a school librarian at Center McMechen Elementary and Glen Dale Elementary in Marshall County. She fosters a love for learning and organizes monthly service projects that teach students the value of supporting and impacting their community. Her efforts to raise funds for disadvantaged students demonstrate her compassion and generosity. Additionally, she continuously seeks innovative ways to engage students through reading resources and interactive technology. McCulley is devoted to supporting special education students and approaches her work with patience, empathy and a desire to make a meaningful difference in their lives.
