MARIETTA, OHIO — For Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) alumna Lynette Stengel, the dream of becoming a teacher was never a question, it was a calling she recognized as early as kindergarten. Today, nearly 19 years after beginning her journey at WSCO, Stengel is in her 15th year teaching third grade at Salem-Liberty Elementary School, inspiring the next generation of learners in her own community.
Stengel chose WSCO with both purpose and practicality in mind. A resident of Lowell, Ohio, she wanted to stay close to home while pursuing her education degree. At the time, an agreement between WSCO and West Virginia University at Parkersburg (WVUP) allowed students who completed two years at WSCO to transfer and receive in-state tuition. The opportunity provided a cost-effective pathway to a bachelor’s degree while allowing Stengel to remain rooted in her community.
“I knew I wanted to go into education,” Stengel shared. “It wasn’t ever something I had to actually decide, I just always knew I would be a teacher.” With both her grandmother and mother serving as teacher’s aides in elementary schools, education had always been part of her family’s story.
At WSCO, Stengel earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Education/Middle Years in 2009. During her time as a student, she applied for and received several scholarships, enabling her to graduate debt-free. “The scholarships were so helpful,” she said. “I was able to complete all of my degrees without having any student loans.”
One of the most influential figures in her academic journey was Dr. Carole Hancock, who served as both her advisor and instructor while at WSCO. “Dr. Hancock was with me from the beginning,” Stengel said. “She knew exactly what I needed to do to transfer to WVUP, and she made the process completely seamless.” Even after graduating from WSCO, Dr. Hancock has remained a supportive presence, continuing to check in on Stengel’s career and accomplishments.
Stengel credits WSCO’s hands-on approach and small class sizes as crucial in preparing her for the classroom. Many of her education courses included fieldwork hours in school districts throughout Washington County, giving her direct experience working with students and teachers before completing her degree. “We weren’t just sitting in a classroom being told how to be a teacher,” she explained. “We were actually in schools, interacting with educators and students. That experience helps you see if teaching is truly the right career path, and for me it absolutely was.”
After graduating from WSCO, Stengel seamlessly transferred to WVUP, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education, Multi-Subjects K–6, with a specialization in Mathematics from fifth grade through Algebra I. In 2014, she continued her educational journey by earning a Master of Science in Education from Walden University, focusing on Elementary Reading and Mathematics.
The summer months offer her a unique ‘then-and-now’ perspective on her professional growth. For over a dozen summers, Stengel has taught at Camp Invention, which is held on WSCO’s campus. “It’s always neat to be the one teaching in the rooms that I once took classes in,” she reflected. “It feels like a full-circle moment.”
Her dedication to education has not gone unnoticed. Stengel was recently recognized by the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools as the Outstanding Elementary Educator for Fort Frye Local School District, an honor that highlights her impact in the classroom and her commitment to rural education.
Stengel’s journey reflects the power of starting local and dreaming big. Through strong mentorship, hands-on learning, and a commitment to her goals, she transformed a childhood calling into a lasting career.
