L-R Dr. Mark Manchin, Gayle Manchin, and Barbara Fish
L-R Sen. Donna Boley, Sen. Ron Stollings, and Del. Stan Shaver
A number of state education leaders will be participating at Challenge WV's annual conference on Friday, October 19th starting at 10 a.m. at Covenant House, 600 Shrewsbury Street, Charleston.
The guest panel for "A Community Conversation - Challenge for Educational Equality" will include representatives from Gov. Joe Manchin's office, the State Board of Education, the WV School Building Authority and the WV Legislature.
Community leaders, parents, educators and legislators are invited to participate in the discussion - "Challenge for Educational Equality."
Dr. Mark A. Manchin, who is currently the executive director of the state's School Building Authority, will be participating in the dialog.
A long time educator, Manchin recently served as superintendent of McDowell County schools after the state took over the system.
Manchin, the cousin of Gov. Joe Manchin III, says he is dedicated to supporting community-based schools.
First Lady Gayle Manchin, who was appointed to the state Board of Education in March 2007, will also participate.
She attended West Virginia University, where she attained her bachelor's in language arts and education and a master's in reading.
She taught in Marion County schools and at Fairmont State University and was the director of the college's first Community Service Learning Program.
Mrs. Manchin became the state director of the AmeriCorps Promise Fellow Program, which served 20 counties.
She also serves on the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service, the Governor's Healthy Lifestyles Coalition, the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Families, Citizens Advisory Council and the Governor's 21st Century Jobs Cabinet.
She is a partner on the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well Being Commission, serves as the nominating chairwoman on the executive board of The Education Alliance and is a past president of the Vandalia Rotary Club of Charleston.
Barbara N. Fish has been a member of the West Virginia Board of Education since December 2000, when she was appointed by then-Gov. Cecil Underwood for a full nine-year term. She has served as secretary and vice president and was president of the board in 2004-2005.
She also serves as secretary of the West Virginia School Building Authority and is a member of the Holocaust Education Commission and the West Virginia Commission for Professional Teaching Standards.
Fish is currently a member of the Board's Wellness Committee and High Schools for West Virginia's Future Committee. In September 2005, she was appointed by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to serve on the IOM's committee on Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools.
Sen. Donna Boley is a member of the Senate Education Committee, and serves on the
Joint Standing Committee on Education; Education Subcommittee B - Higher Education;
Education Subcommittee C - Public School Finance; and the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability.
In the legislature she has been Minority Leader, and a member of the State Republican Executive Committee.
 Del. Joe DeLong (left) House Majority Leader (District 01) will also be on the panel. He serves on the Government Organization and House Rules Committees. Interim Committees include, Commission on Special Investigations, Legislative Intern Committee, Joint Committee on Government and Finance, Joint Standing Committee on Government Organization, and Government Organization Subcommittee.
Del. Delong is Vice President, of East Coast Pipeline. Born in Weirton, West Virginia, is a graduate of West Virginia University, where he was a member of Alpha-Zeta Honors Fraternity. Legislative positions include Chairman of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, and Assistant Majority Whip.
Senator Ron Stollings (District 7) will be on the panel, he is currently on the Education Senate Committee, interim committees include, Joint Standing Committee on Education; Education Subcommittee A - Public Education; Education Subcommittee B - Higher Education.
Stollings is a physician, born in Madison, WV and is active in local civic affairs. Vice Chairman, University System Board of Trustees and former member of Higher Education Policy Commission.
Delegate Stan Shaver (District 46) will participate, he is a member of the House Education Committee, interim committees include Education Subcommittee C; Public School Finance;
Joint Standing Committee on Education.
Shaver has been a longtime educator, Teacher of the Year, Preston County School Systems, 2000-2001; Project Leadership 2002; Principal, Fellowsville Elementary Exemplary School, 2002-2003.
Click here for more info and a printable registration form
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