Laura Presley, a high school English teacher in Mercer County and West Virginia University Extension 4-H alum, was announced as the 2027 West Virginia Teacher of the Year in September. For as long as she can remember, her goal was always to be the best teacher and role model she could be for her students, and she credits her experience in 4-H for teaching her the skills and values to achieve that goal.
“I was in 4-H to help build these skills that I needed, and that helped me grow so much, both personally and professionally. I really do believe that it was all intricately woven on purpose, and that it brought me exactly where I was meant to be,” Presley said.
A Mercer County native and Princeton Senior High School graduate, Presley is teaching her 16th school year at her alma mater, and her 19th year of teaching overall. She has become a cornerstone of the high school experience for students in Mercer County, not only by teaching English classes, but also by helping coordinate school events like homecoming, graduation and move-up day.
She believes it’s easy to stay involved because this career has always been her dream. Teaching is in her blood; her parents, grandfathers, sister, best friends and even her husband are all teachers, too, and she loves seeing the joy they all experience and bring to others through the profession.
“I just feel like I was born to teach. Once I got started student-teaching in a high school and saw all the things I could get involved in, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. Those extracurriculars made my high school experience so great, and I wanted to give that same experience to my own students,” Presley said.
She received her bachelor's degree from Concord University, and her master’s degree and leadership certification from Marshall University. Later on, she worked to become a National Board Certified Teacher, which is the highest level of teaching credentials one can earn in the U.S. She also serves as an ambassador for the NBCT program and a mentor for other teachers who are going through the process of getting their certification.
Long before she ever thought about college, Presley was getting involved in her community through 4-H. She enrolled as soon as she could and never looked back, joining the Princeton Dakotas club in third grade and going to Mercer County 4-H camp the next year.
She went to camp every summer and even became chief, a Teen Leader, served as a camp counselor from eighth grade onward, and was later inducted as a West Virginia 4-H All Star.
The theme of National 4-H Week is “Beyond Ready,” showcasing how 4-H builds leadership, life skills and resilience in youths across the country. There are many elements of her 4-H experience that Presley cites for teaching her different skills that all came together to prepare her for the future.
She highlights the relationships within 4-H that encouraged her, the talent competitions that taught her to speak confidently in public, writing songs and meditations to express her creativity, and serving as a counselor to instill the value of teaching those younger than her and acting as a role model.
“I definitely credit 4-H for teaching me how to be a leader and encouraging me to be creative, whether that was writing songs or meditations, and I guarantee that has helped me be a better teacher. It’s unique in the way it lets kids lead each other. We really had the space to grow into our roles,” Presley said.
Her experience illustrates how the facets of the 4-H program came together to give her the confidence and drive to follow and achieve her dreams of becoming a teacher that students in her community could turn to and look up to.
"I have known Laura since her days as a 4-H member and camper in Mercer County, and it has been wonderful to see the leader and educator she has become,” said Brent Clark, director of WVU Extension 4-H and Youth Development. “She is a great example of what we hope 4-H provides young people: the leadership, confidence and life skills to pursue their goals, serve others and make a difference in their communities. We are incredibly proud to call Laura a West Virginia 4-H'er."
As Teacher of the Year, Presley has already had multiple speaking engagements, got to read to her daughter’s class at school and will serve as the grand marshal at the Concord University homecoming parade. In January, she will be officially inducted as 2027 West Virginia Teacher of the Year, and she plans to create initiatives that celebrate and lift up teachers across the state.
For youths questioning whether they want to join 4-H, or for parents deciding if they want to put their kids into the program, Presley emphatically encourages you to give it a try.
“Absolutely give 4-H a chance because it will give you so many opportunities that you didn't even know were available,” she said. “It will help shape you into a confident and caring human, and you will reap benefits that you didn't even know were possible. The relationships you build, being pushed to grow and learn about yourself, and giving back to your community all come together to help change our world. So, if you want to be a part of that, you should join 4-H!"
West Virginia 4-H reaches all 55 counties in West Virginia. WVU 4-H faculty, staff, and volunteers bring 4-H programming to every corner of the state, including community and special interest clubs, livestock projects, in-school programs, and camping. These programs help 4-H'ers build a strong foundation for future success as leaders while also creating connections with their community and peers.
To learn more about 4-H activities in your community and keep up with the latest in West Virginia 4-H news, follow @WestVirginia4H on Facebook and @wv_4h on Instagram.
If you want to learn more about WVU Extension, visit extension.wvu.edu or follow @WVUExtension on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.
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sk/10/06/2026