WVU Parkersburg teacher candidates begin Fall 2026 residencies

Parkersburg, W.Va. (September 9, 2026) — Eight WVU Parkersburg teacher candidates are spending the fall 2026 semester immersed in K-6 classrooms as part of the university’s yearlong teacher residency program.

“The Residency Model has been such a wonderful addition to teacher preparation programs. Residents are given the opportunity to work with the same cooperating teacher and the same K-6 students for an entire year,” said Dr. Bobbi Marshall, dean of Professional Studies. “Being able to participate in the same class for a full school year gives teacher candidates the opportunity to participate in the start of the school year as well as the end of the school year. The full year experience provides teacher candidates with the skills that they need to successfully step into their own classroom after graduation.”

The Elementary Education Program provides field experience in the classroom as early as the freshman year. Under the traditional student-teaching model, teacher candidates spend a semester in two classrooms and quickly assume teaching responsibilities under the mentorship of an experienced teacher until they are teaching full time. The new residency model places teacher candidates in one classroom for their entire senior year, and they assume responsibilities more gradually.

The Fall 2026 class of students in Education 401 includes:

JACKSON COUNTY — Lanna Bragg

WIRT COUNTY — Kelsie Means

WOOD COUNTY — Lauren Brandjes, Kaitlin Duckworth, Marlee Hunt, Allie Lowther, Megan Mestuzzi and Rylee Wise

Visit https://www.wvup.edu/academics/programs/elementary-education/ to learn more about WVU Parkersburg’s Elementary Education program.