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PARKERSBURG - Frieda Owen a former assistant superintendent of curriculum for Wood County Schools, passed away Tuesday and is being remembered for helping teachers pursue national certification and encouraging student writers through Wood Whispers.
Former Wood County Board of Education members Dave Kurtz and Rick Olcott recalled her support for educators and students
"She had a huge impact on the school system," Olcott said. "I think that there's no question of that."
Kurtz said Owen was instrumental in the district's early efforts to encourage teachers to pursue national board certification. He recalled Wood County offering a financial bonus to teachers who earned the credential before the state established its own incentive.
"We wanted to reward anyone who achieved that recognition of becoming board certified," Kurtz said.
Owen also led efforts to help teachers prepare for certification, providing support support as they worked through the process, he said.
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, an independent nonprofit organization established in 1987, offers voluntary certification recognizing accomplished teaching, according to the board's website. The website states the standards are developed by educators. Certification includes a performance-based assessment of teachers' knowledge, skills and classroom practice and operation.
Olcott said Owen's mentorship stood out because her work extended beyond helping teachers qualify for local state pay supplements. He said he viewed certification as an opportunity to develop teachers who could take leadership roles and to help support staff and faculty at their schools.
He said he was impressed by the way Owen "mentored and nurtured the teaching community" through the certification processes.
Owen's efforts were also highlighted in a January 2013 article. Tammy McKnight, then a curriculum director for Wood County Schools, described Owen's role in publicizing certification and supporting educators through the process.
"She felt it was very important for teachers to go through this in terms of professional development and let everyone know teachers are professionals," McKnight said in the 2013 article.
Kurtz also remembered Owen's work with Wood Whispers, a publication featuring students' writing, which he called "one of her real legacies."
He recalled attending luncheons recognizing students whose writing had been selected for publication.. Owen helped produce the magazine and was the main person overseeing it, he said.
The publication encourage students to pursue writing, Kurtz said, reflecting Owen's interest in English and writing as a central office administrator.
"She was just a very intellectual and very driven woman," Kurtz said. "She was very excited about education and wanted to make things better in Wood County."
Owen's son, Ky Owen, said her work with both Wood Whispers and the national board certification stood among the accomplishments she valued most.
Ky said her legacy also rests with the students she taught and the teachers she supported throughout her educational career. The family has received comments and messages and condolences from former students and educators who remember her influence, he said.
Outside her career, Ky remembered his mother as someone who loved conversation and storytelling. He described her as a firm but loving parent alongside her husband Dave Owen, who served as editor of what was then The Parkersburg Sentinel.
Ky also said his mother helped edit his manuscripts, and gave an honest assessment to his writing, making it clear when she thought something needed work.
"It was a labour of love, he said.