Jefferson County Schools celebrated outstanding contributions to education at their annual Teacher and School Service Person of the Year Recognition Dinner, held on April 8 at the Independent Fire Hall in Ranson. This year’s event was extra special, as it marked the introduction of three new awards: Counselor of the Year, Administrator of the Year, and the Rising Star Award for educators with three years or less experience. These new recognitions highlight the wide range of excellence within our district and the many ways our teachers and staff make a difference in students' lives.
Here’s a closer look at this year’s award recipients:
Teacher of the Year
Tommie Lucas
Washington High School
Tommie Lucas is a civics, government, and SAT prep teacher at Washington High School who brings a unique energy and enthusiasm to the classroom. She’s passionate about her students’ future success and fosters an environment where learning is both fun and rigorous. Beyond the classroom, Ms. Lucas is actively involved in her community through the Coach Costello Foundation and various school programs.
"I am beyond honored to be recognized among all the wonderful teachers I know are in this county," said Ms. Lucas. "It's amazing and I'm just blown away."
Service Person of the Year
Debra DeLauney, Registrar
Jefferson High School
Debra DeLauney is a key figure at Jefferson High, assisting students with enrollment, graduation, and college readiness. Her role as a registrar extends beyond paperwork—she’s the welcoming face students and families turn to when they need guidance. From organizing college visits to assisting with special events, Ms. DeLauney’s dedication and compassion are evident in all that she does.
Deputy Superintendent of Operations Joyce White emphasized that these attributes make Ms. DeLauney an outstanding choice for Service Person of the Year, saying, "Ms. DeLauney’s kindness, compassion, and shining light are her most prized qualities."
Reflecting on her award, Ms. DeLauney dedicated it to her students and colleagues at JHS. "I wouldn't be who I am without them," she said.
Administrator of the Year
Keri Mahoney, Principal
South Jefferson Elementary School
Keri Mahoney leads South Jefferson Elementary with a hands-on approach, focusing on building strong relationships with students, staff, and families. Under her leadership, the school has become a vibrant community hub, hosting events like fun runs and movie nights. Ms. Mahoney’s focus on both academic achievement and student well-being has made South Jefferson Elementary a place where everyone thrives.
"Ms. Mahoney’s leadership truly stands out for her integrity, compassion, and ability to build strong relationships," said Ron Stephens, JCS Deputy Superintendent of Instruction. "Her contributions have made a lasting impact on both the professionalism and community spirit within our organization.”
Counselor of the Year
Cari Jubb, School Counselor
Jefferson High School
Cari Jubb leads the counseling department at Jefferson High School, where she plays a vital role in supporting students through academic, emotional, and career challenges. She is also a leader in the district, sharing resources with other schools and advocating for equitable opportunities for all students. Her dedication to the field was recently recognized when she was named High School Counselor of the Year by the West Virginia School Counselor Association. Through her leadership, Jefferson High School’s counseling program continues to provide strong and meaningful support for students.
In presenting Ms. Jubb with her award, Dr. Lee Ebersole, JCS Director of Social and Emotional Support, highlighted her unwavering dedication to her students. He noted that when recently asked by a journalist to reflect on her own accomplishments, Ms. Jubb instead focused on those around her.
"She kept bringing the conversation back to her students, her team members, and her colleagues," Ebersole said.
Rising Star Award
Abigale Noad, First-Grade Teacher
Ranson Elementary School
Abigale Noad, a first-grade teacher at Ranson Elementary, is already making a big impact after just two years in the classroom. She’s known for creating a warm, engaging environment where students thrive, both academically and socially. Outside the classroom, Ms. Noad is an active participant in professional development, representing RES at various conferences. Her hard work and leadership have made her a standout educator within the school community.
"This award means so much to me," said Ms. Noad. "It really validates the dedication and hard work I put toward our students at RES every day."
Recognizing Excellence at Every Level
Ms. Lucas and Ms. DeLauney will now go on to represent JCS in the West Virginia Department of Education’s state-level competition for Teacher and Service Person of the Year. The evening also celebrated each school’s Teacher of the Year and Service Person of the Year, recognizing outstanding educators and staff members across the district. These honorees were selected for their lasting impact, highlighting the many ways JCS teachers and staff help shape the lives of students and strengthen our community.
JCS Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bishop shared his appreciation for this year’s honorees, emphasizing their vital role in shaping student success.
“We proudly celebrate the outstanding educators and dedicated service personnel who go above and beyond to make a lasting impact in the lives of our students,” he said. “Your hard work, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence do not go unnoticed. Jefferson County Schools is a place where students thrive because of you, and we are truly grateful for all that you do.”
Thank you to Skinner Law Firm for their generous sponsorship, which helped make this celebration possible. Their support allowed us to recognize the hard work and impact of our incredible educators and support staff.
Meet our outstanding winners and discover more of their stories!