Kathy Stevens, a work and family studies teacher at Thomas Harrison Middle School, received the WVPT National Teacher Training Institute (NTTI) Teacher of the Year Award.

In her classroom, Stevens helps students understand the real world implications of math and science through technology. She brings the latest technological resources into the classroom, along with NTTI methodology of hands-on interaction between students and technology. She is dedicated to contributing to the overall education of her students by empowering them to use problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. At Thomas Harrison, she has expanded the more familiar family studies lab equipment (stove, microwave, refrigerator) to include computers, scanners, digital cameras, and the Internet.

Kathy Stevens has 26 years of teaching experience. Before teaching at the middle school, she taught at preschool and adult education levels. She received her Masters of Education in Career Technical Education from Virginia Tech. She is a member of OTT, the career technical honor society, Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Virginia Association of Career and Technical Education (VACTE), Virginia Association of Teachers of Family And Consumer Sciences (VATFACS), the National Tech Prep Network, and the Family and Consumer Science Education Association (FCSEA).

The NTTI Award recognizes her outstanding teaching techniques, identifying and meeting the needs of her diverse student population while upgrading her knowledge about technology and its application in the classroom.