Willis named WVMEA Superintendent of the Year
CHARLESTON - Wood County Schools Superintendent Christie Willis has been named Superintendent of the Year by the West Virginia Music Educators Association.
The award was announced this afternoon in a ceremony in Charleston.
Willis said she was accepting the award on behalf of the school system and the community which have worked tirelessly to support and promote music programs for Wood County Schools students.
“This award is not about me,” Willis said. “This is about our supportive community and the taxpayers of Wood County who approved a levy which helps make these opportunities possible.”
Willis was nominated by Blennerhassett Middle School music teacher and director William Cosby.
“In every decision she makes, (Willis) consistently puts the needs of her students ahead of everything else,” Cosby said in his nomination letter. “One of the primary ways she demonstrates this characteristic is through her love of and support of the Arts.”
Cosby said that support includes includes listening to teachers.
“She has always been willing to sit down and listen to what music and arts teachers need,” Cosby said. “She then takes that information and spends money in ways that are beneficial to both students and teachers.
“I cannot think of a Superintendent that I would more highly recommend for this honor,” he said.
Willis said throughout Wood County, individuals, groups and agencies have stepped up to provide additional resources to help students develop a love of music and the arts.
“Because of our community and because of the support they’ve shown, we are able to provide opportunities to Wood County Schools students that students in some other county school systems simply don’t have,” Willis said. “We could not do this without the love and support of the Wood County community.”
For more information on the WVMEA, please visit wvmea.org.