Nathan Jeffers/photo

Pictured (standing) is Rhonda Tennant, with the members of the Mason County Board of Education (from left) Greg Fowler, Randy Searls, Paul Sayre, Superintendent Suzanne Dickens, and Tom Nunnery.

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POINT PLEASANT — Rhonda Tennant, a fourth grade teacher at New Haven Elementary School, was recently named the Eddie C. Kennedy Reading Teacher of the Year at a reading conference at the Greenbrier Resort.

Members of the Mason County Board of Education also recognized Tennant during Tuesday’s board meeting. Kim Burris, representing the Mason County Schools Reading Council, presented Tennant to the board and said this was the third time this award has been given to a teacher in Mason County.

“We’re very glad you won,” Board President Tom Nunnery said.

“We’re proud of you,” Board member Greg Fowler added.

Tennant described her trip to the conference, saying when she heard the other nominees’ credentials, she was simply happy to have her name in the mix, and she was content with just representing her school and Mason County. She didn’t expect to win and was “flabbergasted” when she did.

“It’s a tremendous honor to bring this award back to Mason County,” Tennant said.

Last school year, Tennant was also named the 2012 Carol S. Miller Reading Teacher of the Year. When discussing this award last year, Tennant also gave credit to other teachers at New Haven who emphasize reading and writing, saying when the students come to her classroom, they’re already really great readers.

“I just feel like a teacher who worked hard and did my job,” Tennant said last year.

Also speaking at Tuesday’s board meeting was Director of Vocational Education and Maintenance Ruth Caplinger, who discussed Mason County Schools’ Wellness Committee, asking that a board member become involved in the commitee, as well as discussing the district’s annual food service agreement. Caplinger also invited board members to the state Career and Technical breakfast coming up in March and said the speakers at the breakfast would include the new State Superintendent Dr. James B. Phares.

(Note: The approved agenda and personnel items from this meeting will appear in Saturday’s edition of the Point Pleasant Register.)