Mahoning Valley educators honored amid growing uncertainty in education
Ohio & Mahoning Valley - Educators from across the Mahoning Valley were recognized Tuesday night at the inaugural Mahoning Valley Educators of the Year awards, celebrating teachers who go above and beyond for their students. The event, held at the Eastwood Event Centre in Niles, honored one teacher from each district in Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties, as well as five special award winners.
The ceremony was created by Josh MacMillan, an art instructor at Hubbard High School, who saw a need to formally recognize teachers.
“We honor coaches, business professionals, and leaders in various industries, but education is the foundation of all of that,” MacMillan said. Inspired by a local awards event for young professionals, he began working with community partners to launch this initiative.
Among the honorees was Abbie Millard, a fifth-grade teacher at West Branch Middle School, who received the Educator of the Year award. She described the experience as “unreal” and humbling.
“I don’t feel any more special than all the amazing teachers who were nominated, but it’s an honor to represent my district,” Millard said.
She emphasized the importance of preserving and investing in education, despite the uncertainty surrounding it. “Education is the cornerstone of every job,” she said. “Without it, none of the careers we have today would exist. Supporting schools should be a top priority.”
The event comes at a time when schools across Ohio—and the nation—are facing budget cuts, teacher shortages, and increased demands in the classroom. Many educators are being asked to do more with fewer resources, leading to burnout and concerns about the future of the profession.
MacMillan noted that local communities play a crucial role in supporting teachers, regardless of broader educational policies.
“The best thing people can do is support their local schools and teachers,” he said. “A lot of great educators don’t get public recognition, they just do the work because they love it.”
Teachers like Kelly Komlanc, a reading interventionist at Hubbard Exempted Village Schools, echoed that sentiment, saying the job is always about the students.
“Sometimes I’m the first person they see that day. Sometimes they come to school just to see us,” she said. “It’s the kids that make it all worth it.”
While challenges remain, this event serves as a reminder of why many teachers continue in the profession—because of their passion for education and their students.
