Laura Presley Named West Virginia Teacher of the Year
The veteran Mercer County English educator was honored for her nineteen years of service in September 2026.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Secondary Education
Laura Presley, a veteran high school English teacher in Mercer County, received the 2027 West Virginia Teacher of the Year award in September 2026. She has dedicated nearly two decades to the classroom, including sixteen years at her own alma mater.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the role of long-term educators in fostering community stability through sustained mentorship. It also underscores the importance of teachers who serve within the same districts where they were once students themselves.
Laura Presley has accumulated 19 years of total experience as an educator, including 16 years specifically at Princeton Senior High School.
The players
Laura Presley
She is a veteran English teacher at Princeton Senior High School with 19 years of classroom experience.
Princeton Senior High School
This is a secondary educational institution in Mercer County where Presley both graduated and currently teaches.
The details
Presley, a graduate of Princeton Senior High School, returned to teach at the institution following her own formative years in local 4-H programs. Her career reflects a deep commitment to the Mercer County community where she currently leads English instruction.
Timeline
Laura Presley was named Teacher of the Year in September 2026.
Culture Shift
This award aligns with the broader institutional tradition of the West Virginia Department of Education Teacher of the Year program. It reflects a growing emphasis on recognizing long-tenured educators who maintain deep ties to their local communities throughout their professional lives.
Students and families in Mercer County benefit from the classroom stability provided by veteran teachers who remain in the district for long tenures. Residents can expect continued engagement from educators with deep local roots in the school system.
The takeaway
The recognition of experienced educators serves as a benchmark for professional longevity in the public school system. Maintaining a connection to one's own community can provide a stabilizing influence for both students and peers.
Further reading
Learn more about the current landscape of Secondary Education in our dedicated reporting section.
