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COALTON -- A Randolph County teacher has been elected president of the West Virginia chapter of the American Federation of Teachers union.
Kristie Skidmore, a 30-year veteran teacher now working at Coalton Elementary School, was elected president at the annual state convention at the Embassy Suites in Charleston on Nov. 15-16.
"Being elected to represent the members is not just an honor -- it's a responsibility that I hold dear," Skidmore said.
"I am truly honored to represent our dedicated teachers and service personnel, whose work and commitment to the children of our state inspires me every day.
"While we are facing tough challenges in public education and the labor movement, I know that our collective commitment will be a strong voice for education employees and the students they serve."
Skidmore is currently a Title I teacher at Coalton Elementary.
Skidmore has served as a member at large on the AFT-West Virginia Executive Board since 2017, and is the current president of AFT-Randolph County. She will replace former state President Fred Albert, who retired after a six-year stint as president.
Skidmore, elected to a three-year term, begins the role immediately and will speak at this week's PEIA public hearings in Morgantown and Charleston.
Skidmore will continue navigating the union through the ongoing merger discussions with the West Virginia Education Association.
The American Federation of Teachers in West Virginia represents education and public employees in West Virginia and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO. Nationally, the AFT represents 1.6 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals and other school support employees, higher education faculty, nurses and other healthcare workers, and state and local government employees.