Inaugural Champions of Learning Gala is Tuesday night in Charleston

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Tuesday night is set to be a big education awards night in Charleston. Michele Blatt The state Department of Education along with the state Board of Education and the West Virginia Chamber Foundation will host the inaugural Champions of Learning Gala. State School Superintendent Michele Blatt said for the first time they will name the state Teacher of the Year, School Service Person of the Year, School Principal of the Year and School Counselor of the Year on the same night and in the same ceremony. Blatt said the gala replaces the Celebration of Excellence in Education, which honored the state's Teacher of the Year and School Service Personnel of the Year, She said the support of the the West Virginia Chamber is enabling them to create a new, bigger, better event. 'We were looking for a partner to help us elevate the event, to really make it something that is special, not only for the honorees that will be there that night but also the community to see the work that goes into the day-to-day operation of a school,' Blatt told MetroNews. The previously named five finalists from all four categories will be in attendance. Blatt said they are expecting a crowd of about 400 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. Blatt said she wants the gala to send a message to teachers, school service personnel, principals and counselors. 'That they're valued. This is important. That the community is now coming together. With the Chamber Foundation, we'll have a lot of business partners,' Blatt said. 'To have a room full of 400 guests, to have a nice reception and dinner will show them how appreciated they are.' Blatt said Chamber Foundation will recognize business partners that have made a significant impact on public education and the state. Those awards include the Community Impact Award, the Education Impact Award, the Workforce Development Leadership Award and the Youth Opportunity and Innovation Award. Blatt said she expects the relationship with the Chamber Foundation to continuing to be beneficial. 'We are learning how we can do things better and how we can make changes for the various businesses coming into the state,' Blatt said. The reception for Tuesday's event begins at 4 p.m. with the event starting at 5:30 p.m. The 2027 School Service Personnel of the Year finalists are: Lisa Cook Boone County JoAnna Gilbert West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Andrea Helms Summers County Brooklyn Long Fayette County Michelle Shreve Braxton County