Teaching and learning are at the core of Stacey Butler’s life and work, and that commitment has now been recognized with the honor of Gilmer County Elementary Teacher of the Year.
“For me, teaching isn’t just a job—it’s a huge part of my identity,” Butler said. “My role as a teacher centers around helping students grow and empowering them with knowledge.”
Mrs. Butler holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education as well as a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, credentials she earned through years of dedication to professional growth. In 2024, she was named West Virginia Elementary Mathematics Teacher of the Year by The WV Council of Teachers of Mathematics, an honor that reflects her passion for high expectations, continued learning, and student success.
Before accepting her current position as the third-grade math teacher at Gilmer County Elementary School, she spent 14 years teaching fourth, fifth, and sixth grades in Braxton County, where her teaching career began.
“My father credited the teachers, cafeteria workers, and school staff there as an integral part of his foundation,” Butler shared. “They saw a child in need and refused to let him fall through the cracks. They fed him, clothed him, loved him, and gave him the greatest gift of all—knowledge. That story shaped me, and it’s why I started my career as a teacher.”
Today, Butler is proud to serve students in Gilmer County, the place she calls home.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the students of Gilmer County, and I don’t take that responsibility lightly,” she said. “Here at Gilmer County Elementary School, our mission is ‘Committed to Achieve, Together we Succeed,’ and I work to help make that vision a reality.”
Butler believes deeply in the idea that knowledge is power, especially in mathematics.
“My goal is for students to understand that math isn’t just a subject or a class—it’s power,” she explained. “It’s part of the blueprint to success. I challenge my students, I hold them to high expectations, and I support them every step of the way, because excellence in education must extend to all students—no exceptions, no excuses.”
She is quick to credit her students for her success.
“This recognition belongs to my students,” Butler said. “They put in the work, they buy in to the belief that learning matters, and they inspire me daily.”
Butler also expressed heartfelt gratitude to her family for their unwavering support.
“Thank you to my family, who have shown grace and understanding throughout the years as I poured so much of myself into my students. I couldn’t do this work without them.”
As she continues her journey, Butler remains committed to growing alongside her students, refining her craft, and honoring the educators who came before her by ensuring every child is seen, challenged, and empowered through learning.