Anna Bowers, a dedicated and passionate teacher, lives in Ona, with her husband Chris and their three children: Bobby, a 6-year-old soon-to-be first grader at Village of Barboursville Elementary (VOBE); Rebecca, a 4-year-old pre-kindergartner at Busy Bees; and Rhett, who is just 1 year old. This coming school year marks Anna's 12th year of teaching, which she has proudly spent at Barboursville Middle School.

Originally from Kettering, OH, Anna graduated from Kettering Fairmont High School before attending Marshall University, where she pursued her dream of becoming a teacher. "When I was younger, I used to play school all the time," Anna reminisces. "I always wanted to be a teacher to help kids. I fell in love with teaching math because I enjoy building confidence in my students. In addition, I struggled in middle school and wanted to make the transition through middle school easier for my students."

Anna shared with Stroll Barboursville, "I love the moment when a student figures out a concept. It’s so awesome to see that light bulb go off.  "I love Barboursville Middle School. It is the only school I’ve taught at. They welcomed me with open arms and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else."

Her advice to those considering a career in teaching is both honest and encouraging. "You will have some hard days, but the good days outweigh the hard days. Seeing your students succeed is so amazing to see."

Outside of the classroom, Anna leads an active and fulfilling life. "I love to read and run. My kids keep us busy being involved in extracurriculars. We are always on the move," she explains. In addition to her love for running and reading, Anna is an avid college basketball fan. "I played in high school and used to coach at Barboursville Middle School."

Anna's love for her community is evident, "I love the community. It reminds me a lot of Kettering where I grew up. Everyone knows everyone. I always wanted to be at a school where we feel like family," she shares. This sense of belonging and community is a cornerstone of Anna's life and work, making her not just a teacher, but a cherished member of the Barboursville Middle School family, and our community.