Meet Jody Polgar! The first Golden Apple Winner of the 2024-2025 school year

HANCOCK COUNTY, W.Va. ( WTRF ) – She’s a woman known for her unwavering faith and a passion for helping educate the young minds of our communities’ future leaders.

Jody Polgar is the September Golden Apple Award winner for the 2024-25 school year.

Polgar has been an educator for 21 years at The Children’s Academy in Weirton, and says she truly loves what she does.

The Children’s Academy is a little different than most pre-schools since it also serves the community as a daycare.

“We open at 6 a.m. and we close at 6 p.m. So school is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. here at this preschool. We’re collaboratives with Hancock County Schools, so we also have a bus that comes here that will pick up school age kids and take them to the schools. And then after school it comes here and drops them off.”

Jody Polgar | Pre-K Teacher, The Children’s Academy

When looking back at the last 21 years educating young minds, Polgar says she knew this was her calling from a young age.

“Oh, it’s awesome. It’s what God’s plan was for me – to work with kids. It’s always been in my heart since I was a little girl. And I always wanted to make a great first experience for kids in school because they have a lot of years to deal with school.”

Jody Polgar | Pre-K Teacher, The Children’s Academy

Jessica Shuble has worked with Polgar closely for the last 14 years and was her teacher’s aide for two of those years.

“Jody is an amazing, amazing teacher. I’ve actually learned a lot from her. At this particular age, four years of age, they sometimes have a hard time dealing with certain emotions. And Jody focuses on the individual child. So, she works with them just to get them to calm down, to just simple redirection.”

Jessica Shuble | Assistant Director, The Children’s Academy

Shuble spoke very fondly of Ms. Jody and is happy she is being recognized for her hard work.

“Oh my gosh, it was so hard to keep this secret from her. I was so excited for her. It’s well deserved. Well deserved.”

Jessica Shuble | Assistant Director, The Children’s Academy

Polgar says she plans to use a portion of the $500 for something the kids can enjoy, like an ice cream party!

Congratulations from everyone here at WTRF, Ms. Jody. We wish you and all the kids at The Children’s Academy a safe and happy school year.

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