2024-26 Cohort

Country roads are bringing teachers home to West Virginia!

Our inaugural Teachers Ascend cohort, funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, has welcomed 9 teachers representing 4 states to Monongalia and Preston Counties for the opportunity to make a difference in West Virginia classrooms and explore all the Mountain State has to offer.

Meet the Cohort

Meet the Teachers

Drew Calandrelli

Mathematics, Morgantown High School
St. Louis, Missouri

Elizabeth Campbell

First Grade, West Preston School
Manassas, Virginia

Marissa Myers

Mathematics, Preston High School
Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania

Andrea Mulligan

Music Education, South Middle School
Ebensburg, Pennsylvania

Christian Ostrander

Kindergarten, Preston Elementary School
Somerset, Pennsylvania

Nicole Radick

Fifth Grade, Skyview Elementary School
Richmond, Virginia

Katelyn Swedberg

First Grade, West Preston School
South Glens Falls, New York

Maria Vito

Physical Education, North Elementary School
Bentleyville, Pennsylvania

Jessica Willis

Special Education, Cheat Lake Elementary School
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"I knew I wanted to return to West Virginia, so when I saw the Teachers Ascend program and what their mission was, I knew it was meant to be! Having a home base that shares my loves of teaching, West Virginia and the outdoors could not have been a better choice!”

Jessica Willis

Cheat Lake Elementary School

"I chose Teachers Ascend because it seemed like a new adventure in a new place with lots of like-minded individuals. It offers resources and connections that would be difficult to make otherwise when starting out in a new place."

Christian Ostrander

Preston Elementary School

"When the Teachers Ascend program was introduced to me, it just seemed like the perfect fit! Moving to a new state is always stressful, but knowing I had this opportunity was really comforting."

Elizabeth Campbell

West Preston Middle School

ADVENTURE ACROSS WV

From hiking to biking to enjoying West Virginia cuisine, the cohort has traveled around the region to experience the vibrant, expansive outdoor recreation, dining and entertainment options available, while also creating lasting friendships along the way.

Teachers Ascend cohort members visit Blackwater Falls State Park in Tucker County.

Cohort members traverse Morgantown's Zipline Aerial Adventure.

Cohort members gather before biking Morgantown’s Rail Trail.

Cohort members Christina, Christian and Katelyn before their introductory mentorship session.

The 2024-26 cohort visited the Ascend West Virginia co-working space.

Cohort members Elizabeth and Katelyn before the group dinner.

Biking Morgantown’s Rail Trail.

Cohort members before the group dinner.