CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) — Gov. Jim Justice announced that he has appointed First Lady Cathy Justice to the West Virginia Board of Education.
The First Lady has been a tireless advocate for the children of West Virginia and has led numerous initiatives across the state. The hallmark of her service is the Communities In Schools program which has expanded to all 55 counties. She also pioneered the Friends With Paws program, having placed 42 therapy dogs in schools statewide, bringing additional comfort and support to West Virginia students.
First Lady Justice attended public schools in Beckley, before graduating from Marshall University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She taught at schools in Raleigh County and has continued to use her background and experience in education to build pillars of support for children, helping to reinforce community support that addresses the ever-growing needs of students and families.
“Cathy has been an incredible champion for our students and schools,” Gov. Justice said. “With her tireless work in bringing Communities In Schools to all 55 counties and her commitment to the Friends With Paws program, she’s already shown a deep dedication to our students’ well-being. I can’t think of anyone better suited to help steer our Board of Education in the right direction.”
“Because of our Communities In Schools program these last eight years, we have been able to provide hundreds of children with essential basic needs requirements to succeed at school by providing food, clothing, shelter, and medical services. Without these necessities, our children aren’t able to compete on a level playing field. We want them to feel good about themselves personally and academically and be proud of where they come from. We want them to succeed in life,” First Lady Justice said.
“I am honored to take on this role and to continue working to support our wonderful students, teachers, and families. Every child in West Virginia deserves a safe, welcoming environment where they can thrive. I look forward to contributing to the Board and helping our education system grow stronger for everyone.”
Communities In Schools West Virginia is the First Lady’s primary initiative. Program planning began in early 2017 and took root in West Virginia schools in 2018. Today, CIS operates statewide, providing basic needs, resources and mentoring to at-risk students and helping them stay in school and succeed. West Virginia is the only state in the country to have CIS operating in every county.
Through its partnership with the West Virginia Legislature and the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE), Communities In Schools impacts 117,000 students through the work of 298 site coordinators in 285 schools. As a result, 99% of students served have stayed in school, showing improved behavior, academic performance, and attendance.
Vulnerable student populations often need assistance extending beyond what schools or any one organization can provide. These site coordinators bring together local resources to meet the child’s unique needs and reinforce support through consistent and sustained engagement. This allows the child and family to focus on school success.
Additionally, her Friends With Paws program has placed 42 therapy dogs in schools statewide, offering students companionship and emotional support in their daily lives. According to counselors, this program has opened communication channels with students and often leads to improved attendance and behavior.
Therapy dogs are specially trained to provide comfort and support to people in various tense environments. They can help people feel at ease, improve their mood, relieve anxiety, and remove social barriers. Therapy dogs are highly trained and certified to show their ability to work in stressful environments, ignore distractions, and provide therapy to people with diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
First Lady Cathy Justice was born in Beckley and raised in Prosperity. She continues to support her community by assisting local charity organizations and reading to children in schools. As First Lady, she has traveled the state speaking to students about the importance of attending school.
First Lady Justice will take the seat previously occupied by Dr. Danial Snavely and will serve a nine-year term.
Click here to view her appointment letter.
