Photo courtesy of W.Va. Board of Education Jessica Grose, former Upshur County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus, state Board of Education President L. Paul Hardesty and state Superintendent of Schools David L. Roach are among those celebrating Grose’s selection as state School Service Personnel of the Year onstage in Charleston Tuesday evening.

CHARLESTON — An Upshur County aide has been named the 2023 West Virginia School Service Personnel of the Year.

The West Virginia Board of Education and the West Virginia Department of Education announced Upshur County’s Jessica Grose as the 2023 West Virginia School Service Personnel of the Year.

The announcement was made as part of the Celebration of Excellence in Education: Honoring the 2023 Teacher and School Service Personnel of the Year in Charleston Tuesday evening. WVBE President L. Paul Hardesty and West Virginia Superintendent of Schools David L. Roach were joined by members of the State Board of Education for the occasion, which was held at the State Culture Center.

Grose is a special education aide at Hodgesville Elementary School in Buckhannon. She is known as a great team player who commits to serving children whenever she is needed, officials said.

During her 11 years of service, Grose has made lasting connections with students by making them feel important through her positive attitude and genuineness, officials said.

In addition to the support she provides in her school building, Grose volunteers with the Upshur County FFA, the Buckhannon-Upshur High School football team, choir, band, cheerleading team, and Buckhannon #24 International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

“Ms. Grose has served the students and her school community in many ways for more than a decade,” Roach said. “She is someone who is committed, principled and enthusiastic about supporting students and teachers. I am proud that she will represent the best of our school service personnel next year, and I am truly grateful for her years of service inside and outside of the classroom.”

Amber Nichols was named Teacher of the Year Tuesday night. She is a kindergarten teacher at Eastwood Elementary School in Morgantown and has taught for 21 years.

“She cares deeply for her students and community and I believe she will be an inspiration for many,” state Superintendent of Schools David L. Roach said in a news release. “I appreciate her diligent work in our public schools.”

Nichols and Grose each will receive cash prizes and other gifts.