Back to school, back to local A+ Educators!

Two months in, and we have already had great success noticing the kindness and passion of our local educators. We would like to thank all teachers of every kind for their endurance in the classroom during the month of September. Our community would not be the same without you and all the efforts you put in, even those that may go unnoticed. 

With that said we are excited to share our monthly award announcement for this past September. These awards serve to highlight teachers and staff members at local schools that are nominated by their peers for going above and beyond in their service to their students and colleagues. The A+ Educators Awards are our way of saying thank you to the teachers and staff making a difference. Each of the current winners will receive a gift certificate to Remedy Burger in Downtown Staunton to celebrate their greatly valued success! 

Winner: Melanie Baughan
Position: Second Grade Teacher
School: Bath County Public Schools - Millboro Elementary School

Melanie Baughan has been employed with the Bath County Public Schools for 3 years. She started as an instructional assistant at Valley Elementary school and then moved to a 3rd grade teacher. This year she agreed to join us at Millboro Elementary School to fill our need as a 2nd grade teacher. Melanie is a wonderful teacher and is always up for anything! Melanie is very energetic and you'll never see her without a smile. She studied music while attending Christopher Newport University, and she loves to incorporate music into her lessons. The students love her class and are always waiting for what she plans to do next.  Her time outside of school is spent reading fantasy and romance novels and watching Asian television shows. Millboro Elementary is ecstatic to have a former Bath County High School graduate return to the county and continue making great strides in education. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication, Melanie! 

Winner: Lauren Carr
Position: PK - 12 Band Instructor
School: Bath County Public Schools 

We would like to shout out our new music and band instructor Lauren Carr! She came to us from JMU and has taken on music and band at all three schools in Bath County. In addition, she is assisting with the high school band and cheering on our Chargers at football games, competitions, and pep rallies! She is teaching grades PK- 12 and is working incredibly hard in lesson planning, securing instruments for our newest band members, and sharing her passion for music to all!

Winner: Suzanna Paxton
Position: Math Teacher & ITRT
School: Bath County Public Schools - Valley Elementary School

Suzanna Paxton is in her 8th year of teaching middle school math at Valley Elementary School. Mrs. Paxton is always willing to help others with technology as she serves in her role as ITRT. She always has a positive attitude with a big smile, which makes her classroom an enjoyable place to learn. She goes above and beyond in helping other staff members with technology issues. Mrs. Paxton is the assistant coach for the women’s JV basketball team at the high school. She enjoys working with the team and getting to spend time with her daughter. Mrs. Paxton also helps with the high school band where her son plays the tuba. She is currently working on her administration certification through Shenandoah University. Suzanna is always willing to contribute to any situation with a positive attitude. She is always a positive influence on others.