ELKINS — After a nine-day walkout, teachers across the state return to their classrooms today.

Teachers in Randolph County say they are happy to be headed back to school today as well as thankful for the ongoing community support during the statewide walkout period, following news that state legislators approved the requested pay raise for teachers and state employees.

Many people expressed emotion during Tuesday’s Randolph County Board of Education meeting because the walkout period had finally ended.

“We are very proud of our employees and the professionalism they showed,” said Randolph County Schools Superintendent Gabriel “Gabe” Devono during the meeting. “You all did a great job.”

Board President Donna Auvil echoed Devono’s comments, saying she visited all local informational picket sites and all employees were professional in their efforts to raise awareness and support during the walkout.

Ramista Lanham, teacher at Tygarts Valley Middle School, said she looks forward to catching up with her students.

“I cannot wait to see my kids to hear their understanding of what occurred over the last two weeks as well as their opinions. I have missed catching up with them day to day,” she said. “I am thankful for the community support, the support from our superintendent and administration, as well as parents during the crazy saga of the last two weeks.”

Ellen Fortney, teacher at Coalton Elementary School and Homestead Elementary School, said the walkout period was an emotional time for teachers.

“Someone asked if we would be glad to get back to school (Wednesday) and hear all of the children’s loud voices, and I said, ‘Next to standing without them for nine days, that will be the sweetest sound on Earth,” she said.

Dawn Kittle, teacher at Third Ward Elementary School, said she is excited to be back in the classroom.

“I am pleased that the West Virginia Legislature decided to invest in our students and education,” she said. “I am excited to be back in the classroom and with my students so we can now conquer another battle, fractions.”

Paula Marco, teacher at Coalton Elementary and American Federation for Teachers vice president for Randolph County, thanked the board members for their constant support in the past several weeks.

“On behalf of AFT Randolph and the Randolph County Education Association and Service Personnel Association, I am here to thank you, thank you, thank you, Mr. Devono and our board of education, for supporting us so much for these past nine days,” Marco said. “It’s been really difficult, and we could not have done it without you. We don’t give up on our kids, and we didn’t give up on this either. Thank you for allowing us to continue our fight for our kids and for this cause.”

Brittany Wamsley, a teacher at Homestead/George Ward Elementary, was one of many who traveled to Charleston as part of the peaceful demonstrations designed to prompt higher pay for state employees and action on state workers’ insurance program.

Wamsley said she felt “pure excitement” about the prospect of returning to her classroom, but she also was proud to be part of the statewide movement and political process.

“I can tell you one man told me that as a teacher I needed to diligently do my job, but I must also continue to fight the good fight. I will continue to go to bat for my students and public education anytime that it is under attack,” Wamsley said in an email Tuesday. “As educators we have to be the voice for those that we teach. I have learned the true meaning of advocating for my students. However I have also learned to advocate for myself. I need to take care of my family while shaping the minds of West Virginia’s future.”

Wamsley added she was thankful for her co-workers and other teachers throughout the state.

“They make me proud to be an educator. I couldn’t have asked for a better community. We are blessed to live in such a wonderful town, county and state.”

Ellen Shepherd, president of West Virginia Education Association for Randolph County, said community support was very high during the walkout period, which helped public employees in their fight.

“I think community support helps us in three ways. First, it helped keep us feeling optimistic. Second, it got more people talking about what is going on in Charleston and more people contacting their legislators,” Shepherd said. “The final way this helped us was when legislators (told) us that we (didn’t) have support we have stories and pictures to prove that is not true.”

She added people in the community showed support by honking, waving, dropping off food for picketers and food for the backpack program.

“We have even had people from out of state send food and money to buy food for the program,” she said. “People (came to) picket with us, stopped to visit, emailed, called and messaged. Every bit of support makes a huge difference for all of us. It’s been overwhelming.”

Not only were members of the community supportive of teachers and service personnel, teachers and staff remained supportive to their students throughout the walkout period.

BOE member Lisa Wamsley noted she was able to see that students do come first to teachers.

“Even though teachers weren’t in the building, they were still out making sure their kids are taken care of,” Wamsley said. “It really does show a lot about the staff that we have and that they’re willing to come in on their own time or take away an hour or two for a cause that they’re fighting for to take care of the kids — because kids come first in the heart of a teacher.”

Board members also noted several teachers throughout the county met with students for athletic practices, choral performances and advanced placement class studies.

Devono noted makeup days have not yet been officially scheduled, noting he will meet with principals, school staff members and state BOE officials in Charleston in the upcoming days to look at the calendar and decide how to proceed accordingly.

A special board meeting is scheduled at 5:25 p.m. March 20 to discuss levy rate proposals. A regular meeting is scheduled to follow beginning at 5:30 p.m.