PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – First Lady Cathy Justice has been appointed to the Board of Education.

On Thursday, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice appointed First Lady Cathy Justice to the West Virginia Board of Education.

“I am honored to take on this role and continue to work to support our wonderful students, faculty and families. Every child in West Virginia deserves a safe, welcoming environment in which to thrive. I look forward to contributing to the board and helping our education system become stronger for everyone,” said First Lady Justice.

The First Lady has been a tireless advocate for the children of West Virginia and has led numerous initiatives throughout the state.

The hallmark of her service is the Communities in Schools program, which has expanded to all 55 counties. She also pioneered the Friends With Paws program, having placed 42 therapy dogs in schools across the country, providing extra comfort and support to West Virginia students.

The First Lady Justice attended Beckley Public Schools before graduating from Marshall University in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in education. She has taught in Raleigh County Schools and has continued to use her background and experience in education to build pillars of support for children, helping to strengthen community supports that address the ever-growing needs of students and families.

“Cathy has been an incredible champion for our students and our schools,” said Governor Justice. “With her tireless work to bring Communities In Schools to all 55 counties and her commitment to the Friends With Paws program, she has already shown a deep dedication to the well-being of our students. I can’t think of anyone better suited to help lead the Board of Education in the right direction.”

Communities in Schools West Virginia is the First Lady’s flagship initiative. Planning for the program began in early 2017 and took root in West Virginia schools in 2018.

Now, CIS operates nationwide, providing basic needs, resources and mentoring to at-risk students and helping them stay in school and succeed. West Virginia is the only state in the country that operates CSI in every county.

Through its partnership with the West Virginia Legislature and the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE), Communities in Schools impacts 117,000 students through the work of 298 school coordinators in 285 schools.

As a result, 99% of students served remained in school, demonstrating improved behavior, academic performance and attendance.

Vulnerable student populations often need support that extends beyond what schools or any organization can provide. These site coordinators bring together local resources to meet the child’s unique needs and strengthen support through consistent and sustained engagement. This allows the child and family to focus on academic success.

In addition, her Friends With Paws program has placed 42 therapy dogs in schools across the country, providing students with companionship and emotional support in their daily lives. According to counselors, this program has opened channels of communication with students and often leads to improved attendance and behavior.

Therapy dogs are specially trained to provide comfort and support to people in various stressful environments. They can help people feel at ease, improve their mood, relieve anxiety and break down social barriers. Therapy dogs are highly trained and certified to demonstrate their ability to work in stressful environments, ignore distractions, and provide therapy to people with diverse backgrounds and circumstances.

First Lady Cathy Justice was born in Beckley and raised in Prosperity. She continues to support her community by assisting local charities and reading to children in schools. As First Lady, she traveled the state speaking to students about the importance of attending school.

The First Lady Justice will fill the seat previously held by Dr. Danial Snavely and will serve a nine-year term.

See an error in our reporting? Send us an email via click here!

Copyright 2024 WTAP. All rights reserved.