Charleston, W.Va. (WVDN) – The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) recently celebrated excellence in adult education at the 2025 West Virginia Adult Education Association Awards Ceremony in Charleston. This event, held in conjunction with the annual West Virginia Adult Education Conference, honors exceptional students as well as county-level programs and individual educators for their commitment to supporting adult learners to achieve success.
This year’s honorees include:
Adult Education Program of the Year
- Ritchie County Adult Education – Full-time Program Category
- New Connections Adult Education in Kanawha County – Part-time Category
Part-time programs feature 20 hours or less of classroom instruction each week.
Adult Education Excellence in Student Achievement
- Cynthia Boggs, Logan County
- Chase Cox, Barbour County
- Kaitlin Cox, Barbour County
ESOL Excellence in Student Achievement
Highlights the academic journey of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Barbara Martinez, Kanawha County
ESOL Program of the Year
- Kanawha County
Excellence in Collaborative Partnership
- Mara Bauserman, Jefferson County, partnership with the Jefferson County Adult Learning Center
SPOKES Program of the Year
Strategic Planning in Occupational Knowledge for Employment and Success (SPOKES)
- Brooke-Hancock SPOKES – Small Program Category
- Mercer County SPOKES – Large Program Category
West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition Program of the Year
- Prunytown Correctional Center, Taylor County
“The Adult Education annual recognition is a powerful reminder that learning knows no limits and anyone can improve their future through education. Our adult education programs empower adult learners to realize their potential and seize opportunities to expand upon it, all while laying a foundation for limitless success,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “I am grateful for the staff within learning centers statewide that are dedicated to meeting the needs of their community.”
