Rae Ellen McKee, a Chapter 1 remedial reading teacher at Hampshire County's Slanesville Elementary School, serves the children of a corner of Appalachia fewer than 10 miles from the village where she was born. Her enthusiasm for expanding the opportunities of students clearly at risk of becoming tomorrow's dropouts is regarded as contagious; she elevates the personal expectations of students and parents alike. A fifth-generation teacher, Ms. McKee declined an opportunity to attend law school because, as she put it, "teaching is in my blood." Her eloquence as a spokesperson for her profession has made her a much sought-after speaker far beyond the borders of West Virginia. Ms. McKee was honored in 1991 as National Teacher of the Year.
1979 Shepherd College, B.A.
