A dozen West Virginia teachers received the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award in Charleston Friday and one quarter of them were from Wood County.

Special education teacher Gayla Hickle and 10th grade English teacher Patty Sayre from Parkersburg High School received the award at the Clay Center.

Eric Minigh, an eighth grade math teacher at Blennerhassett Middle School and Diana Benedum, a fourth grade teacher at Creed Collins Elementary in Pennsboro were also honored.

Each teacher receives a $3500 award and a grant to be used at the school.

"I've taught for 37 years and to have the public as well as colleagues decide that I was worthy of merit is just an incredible incredible experience," said Sayre.