2023 Rita Takach “Reading Teacher of the Year” Announced

It is a privilege for the Marshall County Literacy Council to honor its Rita Takach “Reading Teacher of the Year” for 2023.

Nicole Hess, fifth-grade teacher at Central Elementary School, received her award at the Marshall County Literacy Council’s Spring Banquet on Monday night. Nicole will complete an application for West Virginia Reading Association’s Eddie C. Kennedy Award in November.

Nicole promotes literacy through many activities. She is passionate about getting to know her students and matching books with their interests and reading level. She dedicates time to read for enjoyment in her classroom. 

Nicole promotes literacy with picture books across the curriculum. She focuses on students’ interests, abilities and needs to foster a lifelong love of learning. She believes reading should be fun.  Nicole’s goal is to help students find success, whether that be with decoding a word, becoming more fluent, or comprehending a text. 

She received many compliments of her teaching. Her co-worker states Hess maintains solid instruction while being innovative and trying new things.  

“I have learned from watching her and I am a better teacher because of her influence,” noted Heather Stillion.

“She uses her knowledge of reading assessments and data to drive her instruction and create prescriptive practices that serve a purpose,” states Allyson Varlas.