Wanda Starcher, first grade teacher at Buffalo Elementary School, has been named Putnam County Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year and Putnam County Schools Teacher of the Year for 2009-2010.

Starcher, a graduate of both West Virginia State University and Marshall University Graduate College, has taught in Putnam County Schools since 1992, having taught all grades k-5 as well as resource classes. She holds National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Certification in early childhood education and is a graduate of the West Virginia Teacher Leadership Institute.

At Buffalo Elementary, Starcher has served in a number of leadership positions, including Curriculum Team Chair, Library Media Committee Chair, and Community Outreach Committee Chair. In addition, she organizes and schedules professional development trainings for teachers and works with pre-service teachers in her classroom.

As a member of Putnam's Teacher Leaders, Starcher has developed and delivered professional development to teachers from all Putnam elementary schools. She also served as a member of the language arts mapping committee and social studies mapping committee, in addition, she served on a reading review committee for the West Virginia Department of Education.

Starcher, who says she was inspired to become a teacher by her own outstanding elementary school teachers, strives to provide a safe, nurturing learning environment for her students. "I want my students to feel special," she states. "I want them to be willing to take chances and not be intimidated. I want them to feel free to speak in front of the class, to get up and move, to sing, and to question. I want them to feel accepted for who they are and realize that their differences are what make them unique," she says. Obtaining National Board Certification and Putnam's Teacher of the Year are great accomplishments, but Starcher believes her greatest accomplishments occur in the classroom -- seeing "their eyes light up, watching their smiles as they try and succeed at something new" are the things that bring her the greatest satisfaction.