Barnesville’s Extra Mile Recipients & Teachers of the Year
Corey Powell was recognized as the 2026 recipient of the George G. Skinner & Lela Skinner Bailey Teaching Development Award. Powell spent his first year of teaching at Woodsfield Elementary School. The past 27 years have been at Barnesville Schools as an intervention specialist, with 15 years at the middle school and the remainder at Barnesville High School.
This award recognizes teachers in the Barnesville School District who have performed above and beyond their responsibilities as educators, or have gone “The Extra Mile.” This award is in memory of George G. Skinner and Lela Bailey, who were both former teachers. The winner receives a cash award of $2,000.00 for professional development and teaching needs.
Powell reflected on the recognition:
“I am truly humbled and very thankful for this recognition. I have been very blessed throughout my life. The Good Lord has given me the opportunity to work with the young people in the town that raised me and helped make me the person I am today. Being able to give back to the community that has given so much to me is something I do not take for granted. From my early days of teaching and coaching, I have always wanted to be a positive role model and a good example for the young people I have had the opportunity to work with. I have always believed that what we do and how we treat others can have a lasting impact on a young person’s life.
One Bible verse that has always meant a lot to me and has helped guide me throughout my years of teaching and coaching is 1 Timothy 4:12:
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
I believe this verse is not only something we should teach our young people, but something we should try to live out ourselves. I have tried throughout my career to lead by example, encourage my students, and let them know that someone believes in them. I am extremely thankful for the many students, families, teachers, coaches, administrators, and community members who have been a part of my journey over the past 28 years. I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with so many great young people, and they have taught me just as much as I hope I have taught them. Receiving this award is a great honor, but I believe the greatest reward has always been knowing that I may have made a difference in a young person’s life. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve the students and families of Barnesville, and I am truly grateful for the people who have allowed me to be a part of their lives.
I am thankful, humbled, and blessed to receive the George G. Skinner & Lela Skinner Bailey Extra Mile Award.”
Additionally, the Walter Skinner Service Excellence Award is to recognize classified employees of the Barnesville School District who have performed above and beyond their responsibilities, or have gone “The Extra Mile.” The recipient receives a $1,000 cash award.
Elementary Instructional Aide Melissa Nugent received “The Extra Mile” award. Nugent first served as a substitute teacher for seven years, teaching preschool to high school students at Barnesville. For the last five years, she has been a paraprofessional assigned to the elementary school. Nugent’s mornings are spent in Mrs. Antolak’s kindergarten classroom. After lunchroom duties, Nugent works one-on-one with students.
“I absolutely love working with the kids, and I truly feel like I make a difference in their learning experience,” Nugent said. “I am there for all the important milestones of their education and all the little moments, like helping them learn to tie their shoes. I work with some amazing people who truly care for the children that come to our school.”
If you would like to nominate a Barnesville teacher or classified employee for the Extra Mile Awards, please complete the appropriate nomination form and submit it to the Barnesville Area Education Foundation, PO Box 1, Barnesville, Ohio 43713, by June 15 of the current school year. If you have any questions, contact Jana Crawford at 740-484-4745.
The administration met and selected a teacher of the year for each building. These teachers exemplify the best in the teaching profession. Each teacher of the year received a $500 cash award, provided by the Barnesville Area Education Foundation.
The Elementary Teacher of the Year is Alisa McCrate, an intervention specialist at Barnesville for 27 years. McCrate plans to use the award money for classroom supplies and instructional materials to support her literacy and math instruction. “It is especially meaningful to receive support that I can put directly back into my classroom and use to help my students succeed,” McCrate said.
McCrate shared a quote from B.B. King that resonates with her: “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you. I believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and build skills that will stay with them for a lifetime.”
Joni Turner is the Middle School Teacher of the Year. Turner is the art instructor who has taught at Barnesville for nine years. “I am very flattered, grateful, and honored to be recognized for my work as a middle school art educator in the district,” Turner said. She plans to purchase materials for future art lessons.
The High School Teacher of the Year is Samantha Huff. Currently teaching her seventh year, Huff is the high school Geometry and Advanced Quantitative Reasoning teacher. Feeling deeply honored and grateful, Huff said, “I have immense love for my students, colleagues, and community, and I am truly thankful for their daily support.” Huff will use the award funds toward furthering her education.
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