Education West Virginia Members Celebrate Union Merger at Blennerhassett Hotel

A sense of unity and optimism filled the air Wednesday night as educators, union leaders, and community members gathered at the historic Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg, West Virginia, for a special celebration event titled, “Mix, Mingle, and Merge: Education West Virginia Begins!” The evening marked a major milestone in the state’s education community as members from two of West Virginia’s largest teachers’ unions came together to celebrate their upcoming merger.

Set to become official on September 1, the merger of the West Virginia Education Association (WVEA) and the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia (AFT-WV) will create a single, unified organization called Education West Virginia. Once finalized, this union will become only the sixth in the nation to successfully merge state education associations — a significant step for educators and advocates alike.

The event brought together members of both organizations for a night of camaraderie, reflection, and looking ahead to a stronger future together. Teachers mingled, shared stories, and expressed excitement about what the unified body could mean for the future of public education in West Virginia.

Kristie Skidmore, co-president of Education West Virginia, addressed attendees with heartfelt appreciation and a vision for the road ahead. “I’m happy to be here this evening and I’m very pleased to see everyone,” Skidmore said. “I look forward to a new start and the things we can do as Education West Virginia.”

Her words echoed the overall sentiment of the evening: unity, renewed purpose, and a shared commitment to advocating for the state’s educators, students, and public schools.

The upcoming merger is the result of months of planning, collaboration, and consensus-building between the WVEA and AFT-WV. Both unions have long served West Virginia’s educators by fighting for better pay, safer schools, and stronger policies to support public education.

By coming together under one umbrella, the newly formed Education West Virginia aims to amplify its voice at the state and national level, streamline advocacy efforts, and offer stronger support and representation to its members.

Guests at the Blennerhassett Hotel were not just celebrating the organizational shift — they were celebrating a renewed spirit of solidarity. Conversations throughout the evening reflected excitement about new opportunities to engage lawmakers, improve working conditions, and build a better future for students across the state.

As Education West Virginia prepares for its official launch in September, the positive energy from Wednesday’s event serves as a promising sign. It was a night to remember — a shared moment of unity that marked the beginning of a new chapter in West Virginia’s education history.

With a united voice and renewed determination, Education West Virginia is ready to lead the way forward for teachers, students, and schools across the Mountain State.

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