Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield And Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. Honor Teacher Of The Year
February 12, 2009
PARKERSBURG, WV – In recognition of being named West Virginia's 2009 Teacher of the Year, MaryLu Hutchins, was awarded a $5,000 check from Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield (Mountain State) and the use of a new 2009 Toyota Prius for one year from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. (Toyota). The $5,000 check and keys to the vehicle were presented to Ms. Hutchins during a special presentation conducted today by Governor Joe Manchin, at the State capitol.
This year's Teacher of the Year recipient, MaryLu Hutchins, is a first grade teacher at Steenrod Elementary School in Ohio County, West Virginia. She began her teaching career in 1979 as a kindergarten teacher, and in 1985, she moved to Kruger Elementary School where she taught first grade until 1990. She has been teaching first grade at Steenrod Elementary since then. Ms. Hutchins was also named Teacher in Residence at West Liberty State College in 2006.
Ms. Hutchins, who earned her National Board Certification in 2004, also holds a bachelor's degree from West Liberty State College and a master's degree from West Virginia University, where she is currently working on a doctorate. She is the 2006 recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the 2005 West Virginia Science Teacher of the Year and a 2000 Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award winner. Ms. Hutchins is a program facilitator and mentor for the National Board for Professional Teaching Certification and serves on several local, regional and state education-related committees.
As West Virginia's 2009 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Hutchins will receive an educational technology package valued at approximately $14,300. She was selected by a committee appointed
by the state superintendent of schools to evaluate six finalists who were their county Teacher of the Year winners. Ms. Hutchins received this honor based upon her dedication to her students, commitment to creating a 21st century classroom and innovative, technology-rich teaching practices. She will represent West Virginia in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
Although representing very different sectors of the economy in West Virginia, Mountain State and Toyota share one significant goal – improving the overall education system in West Virginia to ensure that students are prepared both mentally and physically to enter the workforce. Both organizations have programs to help accomplish this goal, but the common ingredient for the success of these programs is West Virginia's teachers and educators.
"Today's children are tomorrow's leaders and the lifestyle lessons we teach them today carry into the future. Recognizing the efforts of those individuals who shape our leaders of tomorrow is just one small way we can ensure a prosperous and healthy outlook for our state, said Gregory K. Smith, President and CEO for Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield. "We are fully committed to offering and supporting programs that will have a positive impact on the daily lives of our customers and the citizens of West Virginia."
"It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of our 1,100 Toyota team members currently working in the Buffalo facility, to recognize West Virginia's Teacher of the Year for 2009," said Mike Lutz, General Manager of Administration, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. "Toyota could not be a success without great teachers. Great teachers inspire great students, and great students are the sort of people we want to hire. We truly believe there is a direct link between great teachers and our company's ultimate success. We congratulate Ms. Hutchins on her achievements and appreciate her dedication to West Virginia's children and ultimately our state's positive future."
About Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield
Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Mountain State provides or administers coverage to more than 500,000 West Virginians and has close to 1,000 employees in Parkersburg, Charleston, Wheeling and Weirton. To learn more about Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield, please visit www.msbcbs.com.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. opened in 1998 and employs 1,100 people. Last year, Toyota manufactured 530,000 engines and 415,000 transmissions for the following North American built vehicles: Sienna, Solara, Venza, Avalon, Camry, Lexus RX350, Corolla, Matrix and Vibe.
