The new administration at Ravenswood Middle focuses on building relationships

Garner, from Roane County, has been in an administrative role as vice principal at Ravenswood Middle since 2022. In October 2023, she was chosen by the Jackson County Board of Education to become the principal with the transfer of Bill Heis to principal at Ravenswood High.

Garner started her career in Roane County where she taught science at Roane County High School and eventually became assistant principal. She then moved on to the principal position at Walton Elementary and Middle where she remained for 12 years, before coming to Ravenswood Middle School.

She has a master’s degree in Safety and Environmental Management and an undergraduate degree in medical technology, both from West Virginia University. However, Garner obtained her teaching degree from Marshall University.

“I worked in a hospital setting for seven years before teaching,” Garner said. “During that time frame I developed an interest in teaching and went back and got my degree in education.”

She decided to make the career move to Jackson County when the opportunity arose.

“I wanted to venture away from what I always knew and challenge myself in the process,” she said. “I was looking for a change professionally and the time was right.”

Garner has one goal in mind.

“My goal is to make this school and Jackson County number one in the state,” Garner said. “The key to that is building relationships with ourselves, the students and the community.”

Garner’s husband Jerry works in education in the Roane County school system. She has one son, Derek, who is a junior at West Virginia University.

Eric Hupp

Hupp is a 1994 graduate of West Liberty State University with an undergraduate in Criminal Justice, which led to a career at Pressley Ridge at White Oak working with troubled youth.

“Through there I became a program supervisor which oversaw seven residential cottages and one diagnostic cottage,” Hupp said. “From there I moved up to a clinical coordinator overseeing the treatment aspect of the kids and their education.”

Following his time at Pressley Ridge, Hupp went to Marshall University and began special education classes. There he also obtained his school counseling certification to go along with his marriage and family counseling.

In 2010 he was offered the opportunity to be the counselor at Ravenswood Grade School.

“I worked with the principal Jane Graham and got a lot of experience in dealing with numerous aspects of education,” Hupp said.

Jackson County Superintendent of Schools, Blaine Hess, offered Hupp the chance to become a wrestling coach and eventually a football coach.

Hupp feels his time as a coach and counselor has led him to the vice-principal position.

“Coming to this job, I know all these kids,” Hupp said. “I know their background and where they come from. I think the relationships I have built have really helped me with this transition.”

Hupp’s goal piggybacks Garner’s idea of building relationships.

“I want to grow, grow in this position, grow in my relationship with these kids, the staff and the community,” he said. “I want to retire from here.”

Hupp’s wife Chris is also involved in the Jackson County school system. Together they have two adult daughters, Karlee and Erica.