Huntington's Bold Investment Aims to Reignite West Virginia Classrooms

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – March 26, 2026 – In a surprise announcement that brought cheers from a room full of educators, Huntington Bank revealed that more than 250 West Virginia middle school professionals have been selected for a transformative, year-long professional development experience. The award, part of the bank's 'Ignite the Classroom' initiative, marks a significant investment in the state's teaching force, aiming to bring world-class training to the front lines of education.

The selected educators, hailing from 12 counties across the state, will participate in the program at no cost, thanks to a unique partnership between Huntington and a coalition of prominent West Virginia foundations and corporations. The initiative, now entering its third year nationally and second in the Mountain State, has more than doubled its West Virginia cohort from the 120 participants in the previous year.

A Spark of Innovation from Atlanta

At the heart of the 'Ignite the Classroom' experience is an immersive, multi-day training session at the renowned Ron Clark Academy (RCA) in Atlanta, Georgia. Far from a typical professional development seminar, RCA is an internationally recognized nonprofit middle school celebrated for its dynamic and highly effective teaching methods. The academy is known for turning traditional education on its head, using music, movement, and a vibrant, competitive "house system" to foster exceptional student engagement and build a powerful school culture.

Educators visiting RCA don't just sit in lectures; they observe master teachers in action, participate in hands-on workshops, and learn to implement strategies designed to ignite a passion for learning. The methods focus on building strong student-teacher relationships, fostering a sense of community, and making academic rigor exciting. Previous participants have described the experience as "amazing" and career-altering, providing them with a renewed sense of purpose and a toolkit of practical, high-energy techniques to bring back to their own schools.

"West Virginia's educators play a vital role in shaping the future of communities across the state, and Huntington is proud to invest in their continued growth," said Chad Prather, president of Huntington's West Virginia region. "Through this year's Ignite the Classroom program, we look forward to providing educators with a transformative professional development opportunity that will positively impact West Virginia students for years to come."

Addressing Critical Needs in State Education

The timing of this expanded initiative is crucial. West Virginia's education system has been navigating significant headwinds, including a persistent teacher shortage that left over 1,500 positions unfilled in recent years. Furthermore, the state has grappled with challenges in student performance metrics and a chronic absenteeism rate that stood at nearly 23% in the 2024-2025 school year.

In this context, 'Ignite the Classroom' is more than a philanthropic gesture; it's a strategic intervention. By focusing on empowering and re-energizing current educators, the program directly addresses the state's own strategic goals. The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE), which collaborated with Huntington to select the participating schools, has prioritized investing in high-quality professional learning to improve teacher retention and effectiveness.

"The West Virginia Department of Education is committed to supporting the growth and development of our educators, whose hard work and dedication drive the success of our schools," said West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. "We applaud Huntington's Ignite the Classroom initiative and are grateful for the opportunity it provides our educators to participate in professional development that strengthens their skills, awakens their creativity and, ultimately, enhances learning outcomes for students across the Mountain State."

The Ripple Effect: From Teacher to Student

The true measure of the program's success lies in the tangible changes seen in schools long after the trip to Atlanta. Testimonials from past participants paint a compelling picture of the initiative's ripple effect. One school administrator from the 2025 cohort reported a staggering 40% reduction in chronic absenteeism after implementing RCA-inspired strategies, a change that represented the recovery of over four million instructional minutes for students.

Teachers report that classrooms have become more exciting and engaging, making students more eager to come to school. One veteran teacher with 25 years of experience noted that the program re-inspired her, providing fresh ideas that make a real difference. The implementation of RCA's signature "house system"—where students work in teams to earn points for academic effort and positive behavior—has been particularly effective, fostering peer encouragement and a stronger sense of school community.

This focus on empowering teachers aligns with Huntington's broader mission of community investment. Since its launch in 2024, the 'Ignite the Classroom' program has reached nearly 2,300 educators across the bank's multi-state footprint, demonstrating a sustained commitment to strengthening the human capital that forms the bedrock of local economies.

A Coalition for West Virginia's Future

Financing such an ambitious undertaking is a collaborative effort. While Huntington Bank provides the foundational investment, the program's expansion in West Virginia was made possible by a powerful coalition of local and regional partners. Major contributors include The Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust, which matched donations to double the number of participating teachers, and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, a philanthropic giant with a long and storied history of supporting educational advancement and teacher quality initiatives in the state.

Other key supporters include WVU Medicine, the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, Vandalia Health, and The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, among many others. This broad base of support underscores a shared understanding across West Virginia's corporate and philanthropic sectors: investing in educators is a direct investment in the state's future workforce and long-term prosperity. By equipping today's teachers with the best possible tools, this coalition is helping to cultivate a more capable, engaged, and competitive generation of West Virginians. The educators selected for this year's cohort, representing middle schools in Berkeley, Boone, Cabell, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Jefferson, Kanawha, Mercer, Monongalia, Randolph, and Tucker counties, will begin their year-long journey this summer.