George Swann, custodian at Cabell Midland High School, is named Service Personnel of the Year at the school during a ceremony Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Michelle Kaib, a special education teacher at Village of Barboursville Elementary School, is named Teacher of the Year during a ceremony at Cabell Midland High School in Ona on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
George Swann, custodian at Cabell Midland High School, is named Service Personnel of the Year at the school during a ceremony Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Michelle Kaib, a special education teacher at Village of Barboursville Elementary School, is named Teacher of the Year during a ceremony at Cabell Midland High School in Ona on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
ONA ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Upon learning they had won Cabell County SchoolsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ teacher and service personnel of the year awards, both winners both expressed shock.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI had no idea,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ said Michelle Kaib, a special education teacher at Village of Barboursville Elementary School, after being named Teacher of the Year at Thursday eveningÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s ceremony at Cabell Midland High School.
Kaib added how deserving she felt the other teacher nominees also were.
In addition to teaching, Kaib serves as the faculty senate president and also tutors, works aftercare, assists with the jump rope team and mentors new special education teachers in the county.
SheÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s working on her National Board Certification and is completing specialized training.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI put my heart and soul into this job,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Kaib said in an email after being nominated for the award earlier this month. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI am an advocate for my students and strive to make a long-lasting positive impact on studentÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s lives beyond academics.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The awards are sponsored by the Cabell County Education Foundation and are supported by community partners with the Cabell County Board of Education. While all finalists receive $500, the Teacher of the Year and Service Personnel of the Year winners each receive $1,000.
Kaib said she and her family are building a house, so the money from her award will go toward that project.
George Swann, custodian at Cabell Midland High School, was named Service Personnel of the Year at the building where he has worked since 2007.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI was shocked. I did not expect to win,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ he said.
He serves as second man custodian, partially during the day and in the evening, while occasionally covering for the head custodian.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIf you can think of it, I have swept, mopped, cleaned, handled, and smelled it,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Swann said in an email after finding out he had been nominated for the award earlier this month.
While he admits the job is not glamorous, Swann said he loves working at Cabell Midland.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI love all the teachers and the staff, the students especially,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ he said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s why IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m here every day; I just try to do the best job I can for them every day.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Swann says he may end up taking a trip this summer with his prize money.
Katelyn Aluise is an education and court reporter.
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