by Gail Marsh

Assistant city editor

During its regular meeting Monday evening, the Harrison County Board of Education announced this year's selection for the Harrison County Teacher of the Year.

Alice Rowe, Bridgeport High School's long-time journalism teacher, was nominated by her school's faculty senate and chosen by a selection committee of professionals for the award.

"We are extremely excited and pleased that Alice was chosen. She is a tireless educator who works day and night with her students to produce an award-winning journalism program," said Lindy Bennett, Bridgeport High School's principal.

Rowe was interviewed last week by staff at the state Department of Education and was informed she is one of seven finalists for state Teacher of the Year. The winner of that award will be notified in mid-November.

"I'm very humbled because I know of so many other qualified people deserving of this award," Rowe said on Monday.

Rowe began teaching at Bridgeport in 1969, following two years of teaching at Baldwin High School in Pittsburgh. A graduate of West Virginia University, Rowe originally taught both English and journalism at Bridgeport, but as the journalism program grew, she was able to devote herself full-time to teaching journalism and to the school's newspaper, yearbook and in-house daily television show.

Under her leadership, the school's newspaper was first in the state to start its own Web site, which is updated every week. She also helped to secure $25,000 from the state Legislature to replace the school's antiquated classroom equipment.

Dr. Carl Friebel, Harrison's superintendent, said he and Rowe both taught at Bridgeport back in the late 1970s. He said Rowe was always a teacher who could bring out the best in her students.

"She was a very student-centered teacher in that she gave the students a lot of hands-on opportunities to gain experience, whether with photography or writing," Friebel said.

"She expended a lot of extra effort to make sure everything was done first class," he said.

Assistant city editor Gail Marsh can be reached at 626-1447 or by e-mail at gmarsh@exponent-telegram.com