Meeting the Needs of All

Michele Blatt never considered a career outside of education. A teacher, she says, is just who she is.

“Teaching is the only profession I considered,” Blatt says. “I enjoy teaching children at church every Sunday. I am the happiest when I am around children.”

It’s her own children, Jonathan and Emma, who have always been the reasons she does what she does each day.

“I am so proud of the young adults they have become and the amazing work they do in their careers,” she says.

Blatt became West Virginia’s 34th superintendent of schools on July 1, 2023. She was named to the executive position by the state board of education on June 23, 2023, although she has been leading state education initiatives much longer as an employee at the West Virginia Department of Education for the past 17 years, most recently as deputy superintendent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I began my tenure as deputy superintendent during the pandemic. We figured out how to close schools, move to remote learning, feed children, live by the colors of a map, bring children back to in-person learning, distribute vaccines and then move into the post-pandemic world,” she says. “We had to do it all by leaning and depending on one another, and I will make sure we continue to do that.”

Prior to her time at the Department of Education, she served more than 25 years at the public school level as both a teacher and principal.

“My career has afforded me the opportunity to hold a variety of positions, which allows me to see public education from multiple viewpoints,” she says. “Teaching and making a difference in the lives of children has been my driving force throughout my career. I learned early on as a middle school teacher that public education is the saving grace for so many students. Education truly opens the doors to the world. When I was offered the opportunity to take on a leadership position in the county, I was hesitant to leave the classroom because I loved teaching. I know now that the various opportunities I had at the county and state level have prepared me for this position.”

Her years of experience not only afford her the ability to make decisions based on what is best for West Virginia students, but it also gives her the ability to understand the needs of teachers, staff and administrators.

“I am thankful I had the opportunity to come up through the system so I can use my past experiences to make the best decisions,” she says. “We all know education is an economic driver, and we must work together to ensure our children are prepared for their journey after high school.”

Long before high school, however, are the early years in a child’s education when basic skills are developed. West Virginia KIDS COUNT data from 2022 through the Annie E. Casey Foundation reveals that 78% of fourth graders are not proficient in reading and 85% of eighth graders are not proficient in math. Blatt’s administration is taking on initiatives to ensure West Virginia children are well-equipped in both subjects.

“Ready, Read, Write, West Virginia, the state’s literacy initiative, and UNITe with Numeracy, our continued mathematics focus, will remain at the core of our efforts,” she says. “Ensuring our children are proficient in reading and math by the end of third grade is critical. This requires us to get back to the basics in early education and provide the support and interventions our students need.”

It is those foundational skills that are needed to ready students for higher levels of education and to prepare them for the career pathway of their choice. Blatt says the career technical education (CTE) programs for middle schools are getting off the ground, bringing a lot of energy and excitement into the schools and paving the way for the next generation of workers.

“CTE programs are key to addressing the shortage of skilled workers in West Virginia and around the country,” she says. “West Virginia’s CTE programs empower students to explore potential careers in various hands-on, technical
training programs. These opportunities not only teach students real-world knowledge and skills but also provide opportunities for industry-recognized credentials and meaningful work-based learning experiences.”

In order to educate this future workforce, skilled teachers must lead them in the classrooms. With a national and statewide teacher shortage becoming a cause for concern, the state Department of Education is focusing on maintaining its teachers and developing new ones. TeachWV Grow Your Own Pathway to Teaching has entered its second full school year and aims to increase access to college for high school students interested in pursuing a career in teaching at a reduced cost and timeframe.

“We are pleased that the inaugural class of 250 students has saved their families $90,000 in tuition costs. This first cohort had an average GPA of 3.6,” Blatt says.

The Department of Education partners with colleges and universities and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC) to recruit future West Virginia public school teachers. The WVHEPC offers the Underwood Smith Scholarship to 25 aspiring teachers each year.

“The West Virginia Board of Education and West Virginia Legislature have supported the alternative pathways that make it easier for people interested in switching careers to consider and pursue teaching,” Blatt says. “It requires multiple initiatives and programs along with our collective effort.”

In addition to recruitment, retention of teachers is a priority for Blatt.

“Seniority is still the main factor when it comes to retention if there is a need for transfers or reduction-in-force; how­ever, this is becoming less of an issue due to the shortages we face across the state in teaching positions. Research shows that retention of teachers is tied to the amount of support received such as mentoring programs and the leadership in the school” she says. “Working together to help everyone see the importance of teaching to the future of West Virginia is critical in elevating the profession.”

As the state superintendent of schools, Blatt strives to help all students and educators in the public school system, which she takes pride in.

“West Virginia has always been my home and our students deserve every possible opportunity to be successful,” she says. “Our superintendents, teachers, staff and communities are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our students. I choose to do everything I can daily to help our public education system succeed so our students have the skills they need to be productive citizens.”