2011 Administrator of the Year

The 2011 Adult Education Administrator of the Year recipient, Donna Metz, has been teaching adult basic education (ABE) for 32 years, and is now the principal of Marion County Adult and Community Education Center. When Donna was dean of students, she provided assistance in day-to-day operations of the school. Now as principal, she assists her staff in establishing a classroom management plan that creates and maintains a learning environment encouraging successful instruction for all students. Donna’s master’s degree in Counseling has been crucial to effectively working with at-risk youth and adult students who have not previously been able to focus on their education.

Donna is also the GED® Examiner in Marion County and her other accomplishments include receiving the Employee Excellence Award from WorkForce West Virginia; a Certificate of Appreciation from the Department of Education’s Division of Technical and Adult Institutional Education in 2010; and Donna will be receiving the National Career Pathways Network Award for 2011 honoring the Marion County Adult and Community Education Center.

Donna has teamed together with many organizations in Marion County to help further adult education. Some of these agencies include: WorkForce West Virginia, Fairmont State University (FSU); Pierpont Community & Technical College (PCTC), and Literacy Volunteers of America.

“It is an honor to work with Donna Metz, such a passionate individual in the ABE program. She is dedicated to providing the students with a safe and educational environment to meet all of their learning needs. She takes time to really evaluate what will constantly make our learning center BETTER and more COLORFUL for the students. I am very blessed to work for such a dedicated person as principal, Donna Jo Metz.” JoMarie Chandler

“. . . Donna makes our staff feel like a family! She is ALWAYS there to lend a hand, and she makes it a point to get to know our students. There are not very many administrators out there that would make so much time for their staff and students in between all of the additional tasks that are placed upon them.” Brianna Boone

“Through WVABE and the leadership of Donna Metz, we began a collaborative program with FSU in 2005 and have continued that relationship with PCTC. Donna has been instrumental in developing a working relationship with the academic skills department at PCTC. Her leadership is invaluable to our success.” Kay Pitrolo