Harrison County, WV. – The West Virginia Department of Education has announced that Ivy Alonso, a special education aide at Johnson Elementary School in Harrison County, is one of five finalists for the 2026 West Virginia School Service Personnel of the Year award.
Ms. Alonso supports students with significant needs, including non-verbal autism and Rett Syndrome. She carries a red backpack filled with calming tools to help students during the school day.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Ms. Alonso provides respite care and attends student events. Her colleagues describe her as the constant in every storm and say she is an irreplaceable part of the school community.
She was named the Harrison County Schools Service Personnel of the Year in April 2025.
The West Virginia Board of Education created this award program in 2020. It honors classroom aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians, office workers, and other school service personnel for their work in schools and communities.
The winner will be announced during a ceremony on September 9, 2025, at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston.