GLENVILLE, West Virginia, August 10, 2023 — Within the walls of the Gilmer County Board of Education Office stands a dedicated professional whose experience and determination are the driving force behind a great many successful programs and initiatives in the district. Meet Mrs. Shelly Mason, who was announced as the new Director of Student Support Services in mid-July.
Raised in Gilmer County, Mrs. Mason graduated from Gilmer County High School in 1997 and went on to attend Glenville State University (then Glenville State College). “I took a variety of classes”, Mason stated. I didn’t graduate from high school thinking I wanted to be a teacher, but I ended up naturally pursuing education.” Upon graduating from GSU, Mrs. Mason took her talents to Morgantown as a preschool special needs teacher.
Mrs. Mason is a veteran educator with 21 years of experience in a variety of different contexts. After her time in Morgantown, Mrs. Mason returned to Gilmer County to teach preschool at Troy Elementary School. After getting married, she moved and continued to teach preschool and then 5th Grade at Creed Collins Elementary School. Mrs. Mason seized the opportunity to return back to her home county in Gilmer, where she feels that the tight-knit community of caring people provide a great network of support for the school district. “I love being around my family and the community where I grew up”, Mason said. “Most of the people in the schools and the community are always very willing to help.”
Returning to Troy Elementary, Mrs. Mason worked as a 3rd grade math teacher before becoming the principal at Sand Fork Elementary. Fueled by an unwavering passion for exploring new solutions that catalyze positive and transformational changes for students and teachers alike, her path ultimately led her to a position at the Gilmer County Board Office. In the five years that Mason has worked at the GCBOE, she has been instrumental in leading the charge to promote student learning and growth in many areas such as planning, organizing and implementing curriculum initiatives, overseeing federal programs, overseeing the purchasing of textbooks and instructional materials, budgeting for various programs, instructional resources and academic coaching, and data-driven reviews intended to foster school improvement. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in new programs such as the creation of the Alternative Learning Center (ALC) for Gilmer County Elementary School and data-driven “deep dives” designed to assist classroom teachers and support existing initiatives.
Eager to utilize her talents and determination to improve educational outcomes in Gilmer County, Mrs. Mason plans to implement new strategies and programs to support both teachers and students as the new Director of Students Support Services. Her new position focuses on Special Education Services, the Student Assistance Team (SAT), Counselors, Nurses, the Community in Schools (CIS) initiative, and Preschool services. Mason intends to collaborate with these groups to address the district's needs outlined in the strategic plan, particularly focusing on enhancing math and literacy achievement.
In the upcoming year, Mrs. Mason aspires to implement new, impactful strategies by studying districts that have achieved notable enhancements in student learning outcomes. “I’m excited to learn new things and work with different people in the state”, said Mason. “I like to see how different systems do things differently. I view my involvement – wherever I am – with supporting the teachers. Whatever I can do here to make to the classroom environment better or making the students’ lives easier… just anything I can do to support them.”
As Mrs. Mason continues to champion excellence and innovation, her dedication to supporting educators and relentless pursuit of high-quality education for the students of Gilmer County shine as a beacon that will help guide Gilmer County Schools toward a future of success and achievement.