CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Department of Education recognized two Jefferson County employees for their commitment to excellence in education during a September 13 program honoring West Virginia's 2023 Teacher and Service Person of the Year. Charity Martsiller, a Jefferson High School Vo-Ag teacher, was a state finalist for Teacher of the Year, and Wendy Dodson, a secretary for the JCS Social and Emotional Support Department at the Central Office, was a state finalist for Service Person of the Year.
Marstiller is a veteran teacher of 24 years, all of which have been with Jefferson County Schools. In the classroom, she is well-known as a dedicated teacher who conveys content based on real-life experiences and discovers untapped potential in the students she meets. She is recognized throughout the state for her work with the Future Farmers of America (FFA), with her students receiving scholarship awards, state and national awards, and obtaining State and American FFA degrees.
Marstiller's other activities include serving on the faculty senates for multiple JCS schools, where she has held several officer positions. She is active in community service, including volunteer work feeding students and families in need with the Community Combined Ministries. In 2016, Marstiller and her husband were instrumental in bringing Kidz Power Pac to Wildwood Middle School and expanding the program to other schools throughout the district.
Dodson has a multitude of duties and responsibilities at the Central Office. She is the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders for the Social and Emotional and Responsive Education Departments. She works to assist the directors of the department with consistent high-level administrative support while balancing multiple projects requiring sensitive timelines.
Dodson says her job has undergone significant transformations since being hired in 2013. She has assumed oversight for all grants for Title I, II, II, IV, and the American Rescue Plan, Cares Act, and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief. Dodson also assists with the English Learner Program, assigning interpreters and translators to schools. She is fluent in Spanish and often serves as an interpreter for parents and others who may require assistance.
In addition to her job duties, Dodson has continued her education at JCS, earning her Associate of Applied Science degree. She also completed her National Career Certification, Board Administrative Certification, and International Association of Administrative Professionals Certification, and is currently pursuing a Spanish Certification.
Like Marstiller, Dodson is active in community service. She volunteers for her church's food pantry and is a strong advocate for the Jefferson High School Baseball Team, for which she serves as treasurer.
Ultimately, Amber Nicols of Monongalia County and Jessica Grose of Upshur County were named Teacher and Service Person of the Year during the Celebration of Excellence in Education program in Charleston on September 13.
JCS is incredibly proud of Charity and Wendy. Their exceptional skill and dedication in the performance of their jobs have earned them the respect and admiration of students, teachers, administrators, coworkers, and parents.