Governor Honors Glen Dale Elementary Music Teacher for Presentation

Glen Dale Elementary School Music teacher Kathleen Fox received an award of recognition from West Virginia Governor Jim Justice at Monarch Stadium on Saturday, September 10, 2022, in Moundsville.

The recognition ceremony took place during intermission of the John Marshall High School Marching Band Showcase, the first competition in this year’s West Virginia Governor’s Cup Marching Band Series sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History.

The award was presented to Fox by Randall Reid Smith, curator for the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History and West Virginia Delegate Charlie Reynolds (R- Marshall). It recognized Fox for her exceptional presentation of the West Virginia Music in Our Schools Month video that was featured during the National Music for Music Education’s annual Music In Our Schools Month celebration.

Fox has filled several leadership roles within the state music association, and currently serves as the West Virginia President of the Society for General Music and the West Virginia Music Educators board as the Music in Our Schools Month chair. She is also a past president of WVMEA and former chair of the West Virginia All-State Children’s Chorus.

Fox credits her award to a network of support that she receives from her administrators and colleagues in Marshall County Schools. “I am fortunate to work in a district that supports teachers to be active within the music education community, and without supportive leaders, teachers could not pursue opportunities to serve and network with other music educators across the mountain state and beyond,” commented Fox. “I have always been approved to attend the state music conference and accompany students to participate in all-state ensembles. Our students and equipment are transported without question. This doesn’t happen everywhere.”

Fox explained that she was invited to speak during the National Association for Music Education’s annual Music in our Schools Month celebration. She decided that piecing together some pictures and videos of her advocacy efforts during the month of March would be more engaging for her audience. She forwarded her script and photos to Marshall County Schools Communications Coordinator Tony Wood. Wood then collaborated with John Marshall High School Broadcasting teacher Carly McElhaney and produced the video with Fox in the WJMH Media studio.

Fox stated “It was really special to receive this award on the 50-yard line of my alma mater at a marching band competition. I have so many fond memories as a former Marching Monarch, marching band instructor, and parent in that very spot. Marshall County Schools has definitely served me well, and I am so proud to be a product of this school system.”