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GRIM, KINCAID EARN ARCH COAL AWARDS
Prestigious Award Honors Putnam Teachers
News release
Courtesy of Karen S. Nowviskie
Putnam County Schools

Two Putnam County high school teachers were named winners of the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award this week. Catherine Grim of Hurricane High School and Joseph Kincaid of Poca High School were among only twelve teachers in the state to receive the honor.

The Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award is one of West Virginia’s longest running and most prestigious teacher award programs. Teachers in grades k – 12 who are nominated by a student, peer, or community member are vetted by a blue-ribbon panel of judges. Honors for the highly competitive award go to only twelve West Virginia teachers annually.

Catherine L. Grim, a business teacher at Hurricane High, is a 24 year veteran with a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia State College and a master’s degree from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies. She is among an elite group of West Virginia teachers to obtain National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Certification, one of the most difficult and validating attainments in the teaching profession. Grim was recently accepted into Globoloria, and after completing the program’s training, she will teach students to conceive and design original educational computer games. She is advisor of Hurricane High’s National Honor Society and involved in a wide range of civic and community activities.

Grim’s goals for her students are clear: “I want my students to master the fundamentals of the class; however, I also want them to be lifelong learners, critical thinkers and problem solvers. To meet these goals, I have tailored my classes so that students do not simply sit and observe. Everyone is continually engaged in some sort of discovery or problem-solving activity each day,” she states.

Joseph Kincaid, music instructor at Poca High, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Charleston and will complete his master’s degree next summer. He has taught for only eight years but has already attained National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Certification. In addition to his classes, Kincaid directs Poca’s award-winning show choir. He has served as chairman of the WVMEA State Show Choir for three years and is currently a nominee for West Virginia General Music Teacher of the Year. He mentors National Board candidates, helps to obtain scholarships for his students, and is involved in civic and community activities.

“I believe all students are capable of learning within their abilities; all students are unique in their abilities, temperament and personality, and every student deserves the opportunity and personal assistance to enhance their learning,” Kincaid states. Music education is “a vehicle through which we can explore and more fully understand our human nature,” he adds.

Putnam County Superintendent of Schools Harold "Chuck" Hatfield says the recognition of these teachers is not surprising. “Teachers like Cathy Grim and Joe Kincaid are the reason we as a system are so successful. These two prove daily that they are outstanding educators. I’m very pleased that their teaching excellence has been recognized and rewarded,” he states.

In addition to the honor of being named to this elite group, Grim and Kincaid received trophies, classroom plaques, personal cash awards and cash prizes for their schools.

The awards were presented on March 9, 2010, by Steven F. Leer, Arch Coal chairman and chief executive officer. He was accompanied by Governor Joseph Manchin, III, State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven Paine, and West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee.

Arch Coal's media release for Catherine L. Grim

Arch Coal's media release for Joseph Kincaid

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