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State Superintendent of Schools

Jorea M. Marple

Jorea M. Marple took over as West Virginia's 27th state superintendent of schools on March 1, 2011.

As superintendent, Marple oversees West Virginia's public school system, which includes 55 individual school districts, serving about 282,000 students in preschool through 12th grade.

Marple, who has a doctorate in education administration from West Virginia University, has more than 35 years of experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, university instructor, principal, assistant county superintendent, county superintendent, assistant state superintendent and deputy state superintendent. She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education at Fairmont State and a master of arts in reading from WVU. She also is a published author on effective school leadership. Marple has experience in West Virginia schools in Marion, Monongalia, Greenbrier and Kanawha counties.

As a principal at Tiskelwah Elementary School in Kanawha County, she helped students significantly improve their standardized test scores, which earned Tiskelwah a National Blue Ribbon School distinction. As an assistant state superintendent and deputy state superintendent, she has helped guide the state's journey to create a responsive and accountable 21st century school system.

Her responsibilities have included working to create the state's 21st century learning program, "Global 21: Students deserve it. The world demands it." The plan, which has garnered West Virginia national and international attention, includes increased rigor and relevance and incorporates real-world learning and performance skills, such as problem solving and creative thinking, into state standards.

Marple also has been involved in the state Department of Education's work with pre-K programs, school technology implementation, school leadership development programs, reading initiatives and teacher quality efforts.

On the international front, Marple has been selected to participate in the Global Education Leaders Program. Based in London, the program's goal is to develop in-depth, sustainable transformation practices beyond the simple exchange of ideas.

Nationally, Marple served as a leader within the National Urban and Suburban School Association. She was invited to participate in both the Columbia and Harvard universities' superintendent academies. She has worked with the U.S. Department of Education, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, Council of Chief State School Officers, other state departments of education, the State Educational Technology Directors Association, the National Association of Test Directors, the National Association of Special Education Teachers and the National Staff Development Council. She also has been honored as a YWCA Woman of Achievement.

Marple and her husband, Darrell V. McGraw Jr., live in Charleston. They are the parents of two adult children.

You may reach the superintendent at: dvermill@access.k12.wv.us

Superintendent's Interpretations Website

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