Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) and the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) will welcome program sponsors to the 2025 Celebration of Excellence in Education honoring the West Virginia Teacher of the Year (TOY) and the West Virginia School Service Personnel of the Year (SPOY). The WVDE will host the event on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, at 5 p.m. at the West Virginia Culture Center (1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia, 25305).
Each year, business and organization partners honor educators and service personnel with generous sponsorships as part of West Virginia’s TOY and SPOY programs. These commitments make it possible to celebrate these exceptional and dedicated individuals who give fully to the children in West Virginia public schools.
“We are grateful for these sponsorships that not only celebrate our educators and school personnel but also bring much-needed attention and respect to those who serve our children,” said WVBE President Nancy J. White. “We appreciate their continued support and the value it brings to our school community.”
“Our sponsors exemplify what it means to actively participate in public education,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “It takes a community to recognize the important role our teachers and service personnel play in our schools and education system. These partners not only understand this, but they put this belief into action.”
The 2025 sponsors are:
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Sponsor
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Contribution
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Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc.
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Free use of a vehicle for one year for TOY and gift basket for SPOY
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Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, West Virginia
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$5,000 to TOY and $2,500 to SPOY
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Horace Mann Insurance Solutions
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$5,000 to TOY, $2,500 to SPOY and $500 gift card to TOY finalists
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West Virginia Lottery
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$500 to TOY, $500 to SPOY and $300 grant to each county TOY
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West Virginia Department of Tourism
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Weekend stay at a West Virginia state park for TOY and SPOY
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Leadership West Virginia
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Tuition and lodging for program year for TOY
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West Virginia Education Association
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$1,000 grant to TOY and $500 grant to SPOY
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American Federation of Teachers –
West Virginia
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$500 to TOY
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West Virginia School Service Personnel Association
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$500 to SPOY
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West Virginia Professional Educators
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$250 gift card and teacher supply gift box to TOY
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Kin Ship Goods
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Gift basket to TOY and SPOY
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Blenko Glass Company
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Suncatchers to each county TOY and SPOY
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Several sponsors will be in attendance on Sept. 10 and will greet participants during the ceremony.
West Virginia’s Teacher of the Year program is among the oldest and most consistent in the nation dating back to 1964. The TOY will travel to Washington, D.C., to represent the state on the national stage.
