State Superintendent of Schools Jorea Marple and First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin (right) join state Teacher of the Year Michael Funkhouser during a banquet Wednesday night.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Michael Funkhouser, a longtime educator who currently teaches English at East Hardy High School in Hardy County, was named West Virginia's 2013 Teacher of the Year at a ceremony Wednesday night. He will represent West Virginia in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
"I believe that teaching is one of the noblest pursuits available to people in today's world," said Funkhouser, a teacher of 32 years. "My personal teaching style is one of energy and accountability. ... Students in my class and their parents understand that we are working together to achieve a goal."
Hardy County Superintendent Barbara Whitecotton praised Funkhouser as "a caring and committed teacher who goes beyond the textbook to reach his students."
"His students reach out to him for the advice they may not be getting from a parent, for the support they need in making decisions about their futures and for the knowledge he gives them about his favorite subject, English," Whitecotton said. "Mr. Funkhouser is an honest man who gives all that he has to ensure that his students get what they need."
As West Virginia's 2013 Teacher of the Year, Funkhouser will receive an educational technology package valued at nearly $15,000, use of a Toyota car for a year and cash awards from Mountain State Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Horace Mann Insurance.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Michael Funkhouser, a longtime educator who currently teaches English at East Hardy High School in Hardy County, was named West Virginia's 2013 Teacher of the Year at a ceremony Wednesday night. He will represent West Virginia in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
"I believe that teaching is one of the noblest pursuits available to people in today's world," said Funkhouser, a teacher of 32 years. "My personal teaching style is one of energy and accountability. ... Students in my class and their parents understand that we are working together to achieve a goal."
Hardy County Superintendent Barbara Whitecotton praised Funkhouser as "a caring and committed teacher who goes beyond the textbook to reach his students."
"His students reach out to him for the advice they may not be getting from a parent, for the support they need in making decisions about their futures and for the knowledge he gives them about his favorite subject, English," Whitecotton said. "Mr. Funkhouser is an honest man who gives all that he has to ensure that his students get what they need."
As West Virginia's 2013 Teacher of the Year, Funkhouser will receive an educational technology package valued at nearly $15,000, use of a Toyota car for a year and cash awards from Mountain State Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Horace Mann Insurance.
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