FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2022

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Glenville State University
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GLENVILLE, WV – Eleven students have completed their student teaching internships for Glenville State University (GSU) during the spring 2022 semester.

Myrtle Copen of Clarksburg, West Virginia completed her student teaching in Music Education (PreK-Adult) at Gilmer County High School with Austin Broussard and at Gilmer County Elementary School with Judy Leggett. Luke Bendick and Dr. David Lewis were her GSU supervisors. She is the daughter of Christina Copen of Clarksburg.

Zachary Cyriacks of Sutton, West Virginia completed his student teaching in Elementary Education (K-6) and Multi-categorical Special Education (K-6) at Flatwoods Elementary with Missy Strong and at Burnsville Elementary with Isaac Casto and Andrea Russell. Dr. Gerda Kumpiene and Dr. Will Vann were his GSU supervisors. He is the son of Raymond and Rebecca DeNuzzo of Sutton. He is the father of Olivia and Lowen Cyriacks.

Paige Fields of Logan, West Virginia completed her student teaching in Elementary Education (K-6) and Multi-categorical Special Education (K-6) at Leading Creek Elementary School with Tiffany Somerville and Melissa McQuain. Dr. Gerda Kumpiene was her GSU supervisor. She is the daughter of Rodney and Michele Fields of Logan.

Victoria Gum of New Milton, West Virginia completed her student teaching in General Science Education (5-Adult) and General Math-Algebra I (5-9) at Doddridge County Middle School with Melissa Lesher and at Doddridge County High School with Bobby Burnside. Dr. Gerda Kumpiene and Larry Baker were her GSU supervisors. She is the daughter of Tonya and Troy Gum of New Milton.

Brittany Koutsunis, originally of Oceana, West Virginia, completed her student teaching in Music Education (PreK-Adult) at Gilmer County Elementary School with Judy Leggett and at Gilmer County High School with Austin Broussard. Luke Bendick and Dr. David Lewis were her GSU supervisors. She is the daughter of the late Tammy Koutsunis of Oceana.

Chance McTaggart of Gassaway, West Virginia completed his student teaching in Social Studies Education (5-Adult) at Braxton County High School with Allie Suesli and at Braxton County Middle School with Lori Dittman. Dr. Shelly Ratliff and Dr. John Ivens were his GSU supervisors. He is the son of Susie Hamrick of Gassaway, West Virginia and Christopher Scott McTaggart of North Carolina.

Jacob Persinger of Linn, West Virginia completed his student teaching in Elementary Education (K-6), Early Education (PreK-K), and Multi-categorical Special Education (K-6) at Gilmer County Elementary School with Tammy Moore and Janet Coombs. Dr. Gerda Kumpiene and Dr. Shelly Ratliff were his GSU supervisors. He is the son of Tina Persinger of Sand Fork.

Karra Smith of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia completed her student teaching in Elementary Education (K-6), Early Education (PreK-K), and Multi-categorical Special Education (K-6) at Leading Creek Elementary School with Melissa McQuain and at Gilmer County Elementary School with Nicole Moyers. Dr. Gerda Kumpiene and Connie Stout O’Dell were her GSU supervisors. She is the daughter of Jeff and Robin Smith of Harpers Ferry. Smith was also recognized as the Outstanding Student Teacher Intern for the spring 2022 semester.

Chrissy Summers of Washington, West Virginia completed her student teaching in Music Education (PreK-Adult) at Mineral Wells Elementary School with Amy Chaves and at Parkersburg South High School with Christopher Shew. Dr. Will Vann and Dr. David Lewis were her GSU supervisors. She and her husband William have three children, Jacob, Nathaniel, and Matthew.

Colton Watts of Maysville, West Virginia completed his student teaching in Music Education (PreK-Adult) at Roane County High School with Hope Staats and at Peterson Central Elementary School with Andrea Heath. Dr. Gerda Kumpiene and Dr. David Lewis were his GSU supervisors. He is the son of Christopher and Janet Watts of Maysville.

Colby Werry of Martinsburg, West Virginia completed his student teaching in Health and Physical Education (PreK-Adult) at Gilmer County Elementary School with Diane Sharps and at Gilmer County High School with Amy Chapman. Luke Bendick and Maureen Gildein were his GSU supervisors. He is the son of Matt Werry of Clarksburg and Ellen Werry of Martinsburg.

Senior teacher education students take part in an internship during their final semester at GSU. At the conclusion of their internship students must complete a presentation illustrating their mastery of the Interstate New Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards as well as the standards of their particular area of study.

For more information about the Teacher Education Program at Glenville State University, contact (304) 462-4119.