Todd Lusk is a Communities In Schools - Site Coordinator at JMHS with 32 years total experience. He currently has a Master’s Degree (Educational Administration).
Mr. Lusk shared:
“I retired from Giles County Schools (Narrows High School) after serving as a teacher, coach, bus driver, and assistant principal for 30 years. Last year I was the assistant principal at Summers County High School in Hinton, WV. This year I am blessed to be the CIS Site Coordinator at JMHS. In this position I try to make coming to school enjoyable for all our students by providing them with anything necessary to make their school day a positive one. I am currently servicing about 40-50 students per day at JMHS, providing things such as snacks, bottles of water, school supplies, clothing, hygiene products, shoes, etc. The students have embraced our CIS program and it feels good seeing them leave my room with a smile on their face. The CIS program has been a wonderful addition to our daily routine at JMHS. We named our CIS room the “Maverick Mall” to make sure ALL our students felt comfortable in coming to our CIS room for anything they may need. It has been a big hit!I will also be an assistant coach for the boy’s basketball team at JMHS. I was the varsity boys head coach at Narrows High School for 21 years. I also coached the girl’s varsity basketball team at Narrows for 11 years. I’m excited about getting back into coaching and look forward to working with the players and coaches at JMHS. “
Welcome to the Monroe County family Todd
Zachariah Elmore is a 7th Grade Geography/Athletic Director at Peterstown PreK-8 School with 3+ experience. He currently has a Bachelor's Degree.
Mr. Elmore shared:
“I have had the unique privilege to work in Monroe County since 2019. I began my professional career at Mountain View Elementary and Middle School, teaching in the 5th/6th Grade Special Education Position. In August 2021, I accepted the position of 7th Grade Geography at Peterstown Middle School and later became the Athletic Director. I am extremely proud of the school environment at Peterstown, and thankful for the opportunity to be a small part of educating the children of Monroe County.
In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, various instruments, and video games. I thoroughly enjoy performing and writing music and hanging out with close friends. I coach girls' basketball at PMS and hope to start a middle school soccer team as well.”
Thank you Zach for all your hard work.
John Ballengee is the Chief School Business Official (CSBO)/Treasurer with about 4.5 months experience. He currently has a B.S. in Business Administration (Accounting) and a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA)
Mr. Ballengee shared his extensive work history:
Staff Auditor at CohnReznick LLP accounting firm in Bethesda, MD: November 2015 – May 2017
Staff Auditor at Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) in Washington, DC: June 2017 – December 2021
Senior Auditor at USAC in Washington, DC: January 2022 – June 2022
Chief School Business Official/Treasurer at Monroe County Schools: June 2022 – Present
He enjoys golf and traveling; going to WVU football games; WVU athletics in general; watching football; making craft cocktails; trying new foods/restaurants/bars; playing poker; spending time with family, movies (going to the theater & at home)
Thank you John for joining the Monroe County family.
Nellie Cottle is a Technology Integration Specialist at Peterstown PreK8 School with 19 years experience. She currently has a Masters Degree plus 45 credits.
Mrs.Cottle shared:
“I graduated from Bluefield State College in May 2004. I began teaching in Summers County, WV. I taught seventh-grade Science in 2004-2005 at Summers Middle School. In August 2005, I began teaching at Talcott Elementary School where I taught first-grade for ten years.
I began teaching in Monroe County in the fall of 2015. I taught third-grade at Peterstown Elementary in 2015-16. In 2016-17, I taught Music and Band at Peterstown Middle School. I became the Technology Integration Specialist for Peterstown Elementary and Middle Schools in 2017, making this my sixth year in this position. I enjoy helping teachers, students, and families with educational technology such as Chromebooks, Schoology, Google Workspace, and more. I also enjoy teaching computer science, computer applications, and STEM.
My undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Middle Education. My Master's degree is in Curriculum and Instruction. I am currently in my last class of the Concord University Educational Leadership and Administration Cohort. My teaching certifications include Multi-Subject K-6, Science 5-9, Technology Integration Specialist, and Computer Science.
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and doing outdoor activities. We enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and boating. We like to kayak on local rivers and spend time on our boat on Claytor Lake.”
Thank you Nellie for all you do.
Tami R. Brown is a Guidance Counselor at Peterstown Middle School with 26 years experience. She currently has a Bachelor is Science degree in Music Education from
Concord University and Master of Arts in School Counseling.
Mrs. Brown shared:
“I taught Elementary and Middle school music and band for 7 years. I have been a school counselor for the last 19 years.
The things I enjoy most in life are spending time with my family and traveling. I also enjoy playing in a praise band with my husband and daughter.”
Thank you Tami for all your hard work.
Regina Spencer is a School Counselor at Peterstown Elementary School with 20 years experience. Regina currently has a Masters Degree plus 45 credits.
Ms. Spencer shared:
“Started my career in education as a Special Education teacher, transferred to Title 1 Reading and Math Specialist, then taught Music. Now I serve as the elementary school
Helping others, reading, spending time with family, learning new information, and the Arts (painting, photography, crafting, music, etc...)“
Thank you Regina for all your hard work.
Danielle Clarkson is a Pre-k teacher at Mountain View Elementary with 8 years of experience. Danielle currently has a Bachelor’s Degree.
Ms, Clarkson shared:
“I started out teaching Kindergarten. I have taught Pre-K for the last 7 years and love it.
I love spending time with my family. I enjoy farming and being outdoors. I also enjoy hiking, hunting, and camping.”
Thank you Ms. Clarkson for all your hard work.
Patricia Phelps is a Pre-K Floater Aide at Mountain View School with 2 years experience. Patricia currently has an Associate Degree in Business Education
Ms. Phelps shared:
“In 2017 I was hired as substitute custodian and aid. In 2020 I was hired to spray JMHS and Vo-Tech. Then in 2021, I was hired as the Pre- K floater aid at Mtn View. This is the job I had been hoping for since 2020.
I love camping and spending time with my family. I have 2 cats and 3 dogs that are my babies. I also love coloring and doing crafts.“
Thank you Patricia for your dedication.
Honei Long is a 9-12 Math Teacher at James Monroe High School with 11 years of experience. She currently has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Education-Math and PE
Ms. Long shared:
“I am a James Monroe Graduate, class of 2003. I attended Concord College and was there during their transition from College to University. I graduated from Concord University in December of 2010. I substituted from February to April of 2011. I taught middle school mathematics at Princeton Middle School for 11 years ranging in grades from 6th through 8th; mainly 7th grade the latter part of the 11 years. I transitioned to James Monroe High School just this year (2022) for the 10th grade Math position.
I like anything crafty and fun! My favorite thing to do is spend time with the Lord and my family.”
Thank you Ms. Long for your hard work.
Erin Copenhaver is a 4th grade teacher at Peterstown Elementary. She is in her 22nd year of teaching. She currently has a Bachelor’s Degree
Ms. Copenhaver shared:
“I began teaching in Mercer County at Glenwood School. I came to teach in
Monroe County when my son was entering kindergarten. I wanted him to go to school in Monroe County. I have been happy to teach at Peterstown since. I taught 6th grade at the middle school and am currently teaching 4th grade.
I enjoy being outside. I like to read and draw. I also enjoy cooking, sewing, and crocheting. My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family.”
Thank you Ms. Copenhaver for all you do.
Ms. Pitzer’s class at PES is working hard on learning their 2 multiplication tables! They learned a song to help them.
November 14-18 is American Education Week. Monroe County Schools has chosen to highlight our wonderful employees and all the great work they each do for the students of Monroe County. Please, take the time to thank them for their dedication as we spotlight them individually.
Drone Class
Tips to keeping you and those around you healthy! Wash your hands frequently and properly, wipe down frequently touched surfaces, and stay home when you aren’t feeling well.
Congrats to Mrs.Riffe’s 4th grade class at PES! They won the PES Be Here attendance award for the month of October! Way to show attendance matters.
MVS Messenger
Jarius Broyles and Tabby Samsel placed 1st and 2nd place, respectively, in Monday’s FFA Regional Large Tractor competition. Not pictured is Gabe Stapleton of Summers Co, who placed 3rd. The students had to pass a written test, parts id, safety and a driving course with both a two-wheel trailer and four-wheel wagon.
On behalf of Communities In Schools of Monroe County and Mountain View Elementary/Middle School we would like to give a special thanks to Mountain Valley Pipeline for the recent grant of $1,500 to use to empower students to confront and overcome personal challenges and structural barriers—so they can take charge of the future they want for themselves, their communities and each other.
Aydin Kleinfelter and Campbell Johnson placed 1st and 2nd place, respectively, in Monday’s FFA Regional Zero Turn competition. Not pictured is Mark Thomas, who placed 3rd. The students had to pass a written test, parts id, safety and a driving course.
Here is the link to purchase tickets for Friday night’s football playoffs round 2! Tickets go on sale today at noon! James Monroe vs Greenbrier West at 7:30 pm. There will be no tickets sold at the gate. Just bring your phone so we can accept your online ticket!
https://gofan.co/app/events/788614?schoolId=WVSSAC