Kanawha County Schools

KCS Service Person of the Year, Kenneth Lacy, is walking to the front of the school auditorium. He is emotional.

KCS Teacher of the Year, Stephanie Elkins, smiling in the school's cafeteria after seeing a poster, not pictured, that says she is the teacher of the year.

KCS Principal of the Year, Shandon Tweedy, putting her hand to her face and smiling after realizing she is the KCS principal of the year.

KCS Counselor of the Year, Emily Patterson, is smiling as confetti rains down as she is announced as the KCS counselor of the year. People are applauding in the background.

Kenneth Lacy standing at the front of the school's auditorium while the SAHS VP, Tank, reads a short bio of Kenneth.

KCS Teacher of the year, Stephanie Elkins, posing for a picture with her 5th grade class.

Horace Mann VP, Mrs. Harris, is speaking at the podium in the school's gymnasium to congratulate Ms. Tweedy. Ms. Tweedy is sitting on a chair in front of the podium. On the left side of the podium are the KCS assistant superintendents and superintendent.

KCS Counselor of the Year, Emily Patterson standing in the doorway of the school's cafeteria and smiling as the school principal says kind things about Emily. There is blue confetti covering the floor.

April 28, 2026

Kanawha County Schools

Four surprises. Four rooms full of applause. Four people who make a difference every single day. ❤️

We had the chance to celebrate our 2025–2026 Employees of the Year in the best way possible, by catching them completely off guard at school-wide assemblies.

Congratulations to:
🔵 Emily Patterson, Counselor of the Year — Overbrook Elementary
🔴 Kenneth Lacy, Service Personnel of the Year — St. Albans High School
🟢 Stephanie Elkins, Teacher of the Year — Kanawha City Elementary
🟢 Shandon Tweedy, Principal of the Year — Horace Mann Middle

Each one was genuinely surprised… and just as genuinely grateful. That’s who they are...showing up every day and never asking for the spotlight.

This week, we made sure they got it. And it was well deserved. 👏