ON THE RISE — Weir High special education teacher Kayla Violet has been recognized with the Superintendent’s Rising Leader award, in recognition of her efforts both in and out of the classroom. She was presented with a certificate as part of the award by Weir High Principal Sean Blumette, left, and Hancock Schools Superintendent Walter Saunders, during last week’s Hancock County Board of Education meeting. -- Craig Howell

NEW CUMBERLAND – Hancock County Schools officials took time recently to celebrate the contributions of one of the county’s teachers.

As part of last week’s county Board of Education meeting, officials recognized Weir High special education teacher Kayla Violet with the Superintendent’s Rising Leader award.

The award, issued by the West Virginia Superintendent of Schools, is an effort by the state Department of Education to recognize a school employee’s excellence, whether in the classroom or through other activities as they set an example to students, their fellow teachers, or other school employees.

Weir High Principal Sean Blumette noted Violet was nominated for the recognition by Coordinator of Transportation Ted Arneault during his tenure as the high school’s principal.

“I was very, very happy to hear she was nominated, and thrilled to get the email that she was selected,” Blumette said.

In addition to her role as a special education teacher at the high school, Violet has been involved in a number other programs and activities, including the launch of a coffee cart which is available for the teachers and staff.

She also was among those who helped to launch the Project SEARCH initiative in partnership with WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center.

Founded at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Project SEARCH has become a nationwide program providing educational opportunities and real-world work experience for high school seniors with intellectual or development disabilities.

The Hancock County program was the second in West Virginia, with eight students currently taking part.

“What she does day in and day out, both in and out of the building, is something we hope all our educators would aspire to,” Blumette said.

Violet offered thanks to Arneault for nominating her, as well as to her family, friends, and colleagues for their support, and to her students.

“This is not possible without our wonderful students and I am blessed every day to work with our students with special needs,” Violet said, calling it a blessing and a calling. “It’s something that I could not imagine not doing with my life.”

Violet said she looks forward to being able to work with the students of Hancock County Schools for a long time.