A math teacher who ‘counts’

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WELLSBURG - Dedication, enthusiasm and a desire to help others were all a part of the equation that led Ellen Larter, a Brooke High School math teacher, to be named Brooke County Teacher of the Year.

Mary K. DeGarmo, Brooke County superintendent of schools, said Larter has applied her teaching skills not only to helping students but also to aiding fellow teachers.

DeGarmo said Larter is among Brooke County teachers who applied training received through the West Virginia Department of Education's Teacher Leader Institute to training colleagues in using new technology in the classroom.

She also has regularly contributed to the state Department of Education's Teach 21 Web site, a source of possible lesson plans for teachers; and serves on the state committee that sets standards for the WESTest (West Virginia Educational Standards Test), which is used to evaluate students' mastery of basic skills throughout the state.

"She exemplifies a true teacher leader," DeGarmo said.

Larter also serves as regional coordinator of Math Field Day, a competition testing students' ability to apply mathematical skills to problem-solving; and adviser of Brooke High School's Math Club.

A relatively new group, the club learns about math principles not covered in the curriculum through various hands-on activities. A scheduling conflict last year prevented the group from visiting Kennywood Park last year for Physics Day, on which teens apply various physics concepts to the park's assorted attractions, but she hopes it can participate this year.

A graduate of the former West Liberty State College, Larter said she worked for the federal government for a time, in a position that offered better pay and benefits than teaching, but she gravitated toward a career in education because it was something she'd always wanted to do.

She recalled that as a young girl, she turned a room of her family's basement into a classroom, complete with an assortment of classroom pets, and recruited her younger brother to serve as her first pupil.

Larter said her parents, a steelworker and housewife, always stressed the importance of education, and it must have had an impact, for she and her sister, Linda Tarr; and brother, Joel Nau; all became teachers.

She also credited the late Sister Ethel Rita, her algebra instructor at Wheeling Catholic Central High School, with inspiring her love of mathematics.

Larter said one of her most satisfying moments as a teacher is observing a student discover an appreciation of math. She said the thing she enjoys most about teaching are the students, and she finds that most want to do well and are willing to work hard to accomplish that.

The key, she said, is helping them to become comfortable with math.

The Brooke County Teacher of the Year is selected by a committee comprised of the county's former teacher of the year and representatives of the Brooke County school board, Brooke County Schools Administrators Association, Brooke County Council PTA, Brooke County Education Association and the Brooke County Chapter of the American Federation of Teachers.

DeGarmo and the school board also recognized six others who were nominated for the honor and thanked all for their hard work.

The other nominees were: Susan Cullinan of Colliers Primary School; Dana Durbin of Follansbee Middle School; Amy Unger of Hooverson Heights Primary School; Millie Billiard of Jefferson Primary School; Ginny Mancuso of Wellsburg Middle School; and Carrie Ciccolella of Wellsburg Primary School.

The board also:

Accepted a bid of $84,700 from Wilson Blacktop Corp. of Martins Ferry, Ohio, for the pavement of an access road and parking area at Franklin Primary School, playground, parking area and south driveway at Wellsburg Middle School; and parking area at Jefferson Primary School.

Agreed to convey a small piece of property in a wooded area behind Brooke High School for a lift station to be built by the Brooke County Public Service District. Plans call for the station to aid in conveying sewage from the Cross Creek area to the Wellsburg wastewater treatment system.

Approved the hiring of Shannon Stewart and Karen Delatore as head cheering coaches at Follansbee Middle School and Wellsburg Middle School, respectively; Michelle Scherich as assistant cheering coach at Brooke High School; Shauna Kolosky as assistant volleyball coach at the high school; Joe D. Wade as assistant cross country coach at the high school; Lee Weppler as assistant boys basketball coach at the high school; Victoria Reitter as a cook at Follansbee Middle School; Kim Anderson as secretary at Colliers Primary School; Robert Beckelhimer as a school bus driver; Steven Buck as a temporary school bus driver; and Ashley Ferrell as a lifeguard at the high school's Wellness Center.

It approved the transfers of Jacqueline Parr as a transportation aide from an aide position at Jefferson Primary School; Jim Corbin as a custodian at Brooke High School from a custodial position at Franklin Primary School; and Pamela Simpson as a kindergarten aide at Hooverson Heights Primary School from a special education position there.

It also accepted the resignation of Pauline Andreozzi as gifted instructor at Beech Bottom Primary School.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)