📣 Central Office Spotlight: Stephanie Burns
🌟 Celebrating the heart of Pocahontas County Schools leadership!
👩🏫 Meet Stephanie Burns
With 28 years of service in Pocahontas County Schools and 33 years working with children from birth to 10th grade, Stephanie Burns brings unmatched experience and passion to her new role as Director of Community Engagement, Federal Programs, School Improvement, and Curriculum.
Stephanie has worn many hats—top-notch English teacher, literacy coach, and now a key leader shaping the future of our schools. She’s married to Doug Burns, longtime PCHS football head coach, and is a proud mom of three PCHS graduates:
Chad – Financial Advisor (Chad's wife, Savannah, is also a teacher)
Allie – Cybersecurity Specialist
Rachel – Aspiring Speech Therapist
A fun fact about Stephanie: she can read braille—a testament to her lifelong commitment to literacy and learning.
Stephanie says she is looking forward to: a transformative year for Pocahontas County schools AND becoming a grandmother for the first time!
📍 Reach her at:
📧 smburns@k12.wv.us
📞 304-799-6773
Please join us in thanking Stephanie for her dedication to our students, staff, and families. 💛
#PocahontasProfiles #PocahontasProud #LeadershipSpotlight #WVSchools #BehindTheScenes
📣 Special BOE Work Session Alert!
September 11 at 4:30 PM for at the Central Office.
🎥 Live stream available via the existing BOE link
#PocahontasCountySchools
#AttendTodayAchieveTomorrow #PCStrongerTogether
👩💼 Meet Sarah Hamilton!
Recently appointed as the Treasurer/Director of Finance for Pocahontas County Schools, Sarah Hamilton brings over a decade of experience in various administrative roles within the district. In her current position, Sarah oversees budget planning, financial reporting, and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations—all critical to keeping our schools running smoothly and responsibly.
Outside the office, Sarah is a Tee-ball coach for her grandson’s Little League team, and she is a proud “granny” to 9 grandchildren. A fun fact about Sarah: she once embarked on a unique adventure fox hunting in Ireland with her mother! She lives in Beaver Creek with her husband and grandson, Jace.
Sarah can be reached by calling the Board of Education Office (304) 799-4505 ext. 2222. If she doesn’t know the answer to your question, she will help you find it!
Spotlight Quote: I’m looking forward to great school year!
#PocahontasProfiles #PocahontasProud #LeadershipSpotlight #WVSchools #BehindTheScenes
Pocahontas County Schools is proud to partner with ParentGuidance.org to offer free Parent Coaching to support families throughout the school year. 💬👨👩👧👦
Whether you're navigating academic stress, emotional challenges, or just want to strengthen your parenting skills, this resource is here for YOU.
📲 Scan the QR code or visit cookcenter.info/coaching to get started today!
Let’s make this school year a success—together. 💛📚
#ParentCoaching #PocahontasCountySchools #BackToSchool #StrongerTogether #SchoolYearSuccess
Dear School Staff, Community Members and Families,
I’m incredibly honored to join you as I step into the role of Superintendent for Pocahontas County Schools. Over the past 25 years, I’ve worked in education across three different states and in nearly every role within a school system. Each experience has shaped who I am as an educator and a leader and has given me a deep appreciation for the challenges our students, teachers, and families face every day. I’m truly excited to bring that perspective to this community and to work together with you to support every child’s success and triumphs.
I was raised in Neola, a small community in Greenbrier County, West Virginia not far from here. That upbringing has fostered a strong connection to the ideals and spirit of Pocahontas County, both in its schools and its community. I understand how vital our school system is—not just for education, but as a cornerstone of community life and a foundation for our students’ futures.
I firmly believe that every student plays a valuable role in shaping the future of our small community. It is our responsibility to ensure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive as successful and involved citizens.
Academically, I believe every student should learn cursive writing, develop strong financial literacy, and master fundamental math facts and properties. It is also essential that students graduate with practical life skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and effectively—both verbally and in writing. I also understand that some students have aspirations to attend college and pursue careers that demand advanced degrees while others will seek to further their education in a trade school. It's important that we nurture their ambitions by encouraging academic excellence and providing the resources and opportunities they need to succeed—just as I will remain committed to offering focused support and remediation for those who require additional help.
In closing, my husband and I are so happy to be members of your community. If you happen to see us — whether at school, an event, or anywhere in town—please feel free to say hello. I’m excited to listen, learn, and collaborate with all of you to support our students, our schools and the community of Pocahontas County.
Thank you for your warm support and for the opportunity to work and live in this beautiful community. Together, we are stronger!
Sincerely,
Dr. Leatha G. Williams, Superintendent of Schools
📣 Stakeholder Survey: JROTC Program Interest
Pocahontas County Schools is exploring the possibility of launching a JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps) program at our high school. We value your input and want to hear from our students, families, staff, and community members!
📝 Please take a moment to complete our Stakeholder Interest Survey to help us gauge support, interest and concerns.
🔗 https://forms.office.com/r/ZaZukec6Rs
Survey Closes: 9/5/25
Your feedback is essential as we consider new ways to support student leadership, citizenship, and career pathways. Thank you for being an engaged part of our school community!
#PocahontasCountySchools #JROTC #StakeholderVoice #StudentOpportunities #GreatThingsAtPCS
📚✨ Back to School Kickoff – Pocahontas County Schools ✨📚
We launched the 2025–2026 school year with an inspiring back-to-school staff meeting that brought together our incredible team of teachers, administrators, and support staff!
🎤 Keynote Speakers
Larry Bell energized us with “12 Powerful Words that Increase Student Achievement and Close the Achievement Gap.”
Dr. Jordan Simpkins shared insights on “Relational Classroom Management – The Science, Parents, and Recent Generations.”
🎙️ We also heard from Board President Emery Grimes and Superintendent Leatha Williams, who set a positive tone for the year ahead.
🎉 A huge thank you to our generous business partners Snowshoe Mountain Resort and Pendleton Bank for providing giveaways and delicious snacks!
📸 And yes—we had a photo booth to capture the fun and excitement! Swipe through to see the smiles and school spirit!
Here’s to a fantastic year of learning, growth, and connection! 💛❤️ #PocahontasPride #BackToSchool #TeamPCS #StrongerTogether
Yesterday, several of our staff members participated in CPR training led by our amazing RN/School Nurse, Jenny Friel. This hands-on session is part of our commitment to keeping students safe and prepared for anything that comes our way this school year.
And guess who joined in? 🐾 GBEMS's beloved therapy dog, Kasha, couldn’t resist getting in on the action and brought smiles to everyone’s faces! 💛
#PocahontasCountySchools #BackToSchool #CPRTraining #SchoolSafety #TherapyDogLove
School is just around the corner! As we gear up for a great year, don’t forget to check the official calendar for key dates including the first day of school, holidays, breaks, and more.
Make sure you're ready—save it, share it, and stay informed! 💙
📌 https://boe.pocahontas.k12.wv.us/page/2022-2023calendar
#PocahontasProud #BackToSchool #SchoolCalendar #20252026SchoolYear
📚✨ Don't forget to mark your calendar for your child’s upcoming Open House event. Each school hosts its own special experience—an opportunity to tour the campus, meet the passionate educators, and get a glimpse into the exciting year ahead. Don’t miss it! 🏫📅
We wrapped up the 2025 Teacher Academy with a full day dedicated to enhancing special education services across Pocahontas County Schools.
Our educators learned from two outstanding presenters:
👨🏫 Ian Kennedy – West Virginia Department of Education
👩🏫 Lydia Young – Pocahontas County Special Education Consultant
They shared essential guidance on:
✅ Compliance
✅ Support systems
✅ Practical tactics to better serve students with diverse learning needs
This final day highlighted our commitment to inclusive education and ensuring every student receives the support they deserve. Thank you to all who participated in this powerful 3-day journey of growth and collaboration! 🌟
#PocahontasProud #TeacherAcademy2025 #SpecialEducationMatters #WVDE #InclusiveEducation #ProfessionalDevelopment #GreatThingsAtPCS
👏 The Pocahontas County High School Drama Club was recognized for stepping up to paint and clean the auditorium stage—a tough job that was badly needed. Huge thanks to Co-Sponsors Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Hummel for rallying current members and alumni to make it happen! Pictured: Mrs. Hughes and Drama Club member Nathaniel.
📚💼 Additionally, the entire school board and several central office staff were honored by the WV School Board Association for completing training focused on school board guidance and compliance. We’re proud of their commitment to excellence!
#PocahontasPride #DramaClub #WVEd #CommunityStrong #BoardRecognition #GreatThingsAtPCS #PCS_StrongerTogether
Today, educators from all five Pocahontas County schools came together at Pocahontas County High School for the first day of our three-day Teacher Academy, continuing the inspiring theme from our Leadership Academy — Stronger Together.
Teachers engaged in powerful professional learning focused on:
✅ Understanding Dyslexia
✅ Strategies for Supporting Dyslexic & Special Education Students
✅ Increasing Student Engagement
✅ Creating a Culture of High Expectations
✅ Establishing Classroom Norms & Routines
It was a day filled with collaboration, growth, and a shared commitment to excellence in education.
🙏 Special thanks to Pendleton Community Bank for sponsoring today’s event and supporting our educators and students!
#StrongerTogether #PocahontasCountySchools #TeacherAcademy #ProfessionalLearning #PendletonCommunityBank #PCED
📢Day 3 of the Academy: Spotlight on Special Education 🌟
We wrapped up our Academy on Wednesday with a powerful and insightful day dedicated to Special Education. 💙
Our team had the privilege of learning from expert presenters from the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) and our very own Special Education Consultant. Together, they led engaging sessions that deepened our understanding of special education practices, compliance, and strategies to support all learners.
From legal updates to inclusive instructional approaches, the day was packed with valuable information and meaningful conversations. It was a great way to end the Academy—focused on equity, support, and student success.
Thank you to everyone who made this day impactful!
#SpecialEducation #WVDE #PocahontasCountySchools #ProfessionalDevelopment #StudentSupport #InclusiveEducation #StrongerTogether
