After 32 years with the Harrison County Board of Education, Bridgeport’s Wendy Imperial has retired. Looking back on her three-decade stint which has included teaching, administration and counseling, she feels like she accomplished what she set out to do when she pursued a career in education.

 

“I tried to help people and support families,” she said. “I always did joke that it was my role as a middle child to be the fixer. That’s what I did in my professional life, too. I let the middle child in me kick in and said, ‘Let me help you.’”

 

The daughter of Barbara and James “Jim” Northey, Imperial is a 1974 graduate of Bridgeport High School. Older siblings Wayne (Northey) and Susan (Owen) graduated in 1967 and 1970, respectively, and younger sister Julie (Lane) in 1976. All four live in the area and she is happy to have more time to spend with them, as well as her mother, now Barbara Coffindaffer, 91 years old.

Imperial said the thought to become a teacher first crossed her mind when she was very young, but family circumstances eventually put that plan on hold.

 

“I think a lot of little girls – especially those my age – played school when they were little and aspired to be a teacher,” she said. “But when I was in junior high, my dad came home from work, had a heart attack and died at age 50. During my high school years, the plan to go to college didn’t seem affordable. I graduated and went to work.”

 

Imperial obtained her broker’s license and appraiser’s license and sold real estate and soon thereafter got married. Though that career was going fine, the dream to teach was still very much alive, so she began taking night classes at Fairmont State, working toward a bachelor’s degree in education.

“I eventually had to go on campus,” she said. “I got student loans to help pay the bills. I loved that experience and I loved learning. I finally got my degree in 1984, 10 years after graduating high school.”

 

Superintendent of Harrison County Schools Robert Kittle implemented a hiring freeze that very year.

 

“So I substituted for long-term positions a year at a time – at Sardis, Chestnut Hills, Towers and Lumberport Elementary,” she said. “I got to see a lot of schools and a lot of people and was finally hired at Norwood Elementary. I taught there for a year and during that time got my master’s degree in counseling.”

 

The next chapter in her education career was as a counselor at Bridgeport Middle School.

 

“I loved that job,” she said. “Though I never really aspired to be in administration, I kind of saw how administration could set the culture for the school. I decided to go ahead and get administration certified, taking hours for that on top of my master’s.”

Imperial went on to become the assistant principal at Gore Middle School and ultimately the principal.

 

“Then Gore closed,” she said. “I became the principal at West Milford Elementary and was there for five years.”

 

She eventually found herself in another facet of the education career in which she had not previously considered.

 

“I had never aspired to be at the county office, but with changes there and retirement, a position became available for assistant superintendent of curriculum instruction and technology. I would oversee school counselors,” Imperial said. “It really was the perfect match. I didn’t have to really deal with a lot of discipline. It was more about curriculum and technology – which I love – and counseling – which I also love.”

 

Imperial has worked in that position for six years – three under Superintendent Susan Collins and three under Dr. Mark Manchin.

 

Qualifying for retirement and in good health, the time seemed right to set herself free from professional responsibilities and spend time with family. Plus Imperial feels she has led a very strong curriculum team which was ready to put their knowledge into action during a time when curriculum is at the forefront.

“More than ever, schools are talking about students and curriculum and individualizing to meet their needs. More data is being reviewed and there’s more discussion about what we can do to support and advance those who need to advance and remediate those who need it,” she said.

 

With a career she once dreamed of now behind her, Imperial said she can look in the mirror and feel good about every step of the way.

“I’ve been really blessed and have loved everywhere I have worked and every job I did,” said Imperial, who is constantly reminded that her work at those locations is remembered and appreciated.

 

“Some of the kids I had in the school system are now in their 40s.To have one recognize me and comment about how much they enjoyed it when I was their teacher or counselor, you can just feel the hugs,” she said. “It’s always said that if you can reach one student in your career, then your career is worth it.”

 

It’s definitely been worth it; worth the wait to go to college, worth paying for her education by herself and worth the years and passion invested, Imperial said.

 

For the past 15 years or so, Imperial has also been a member of the adjunct faculty at West Virginia University, teaching counseling. She’s already been contacted with a request to work additional hours in that endeavor.

 

Time will tell, she said.

 

During her first full day of retirement, Imperial found herself painting the interior of her garage. She also plans to spend time refinishing furniture and volunteering. An avid West Virginia University basketball fan, she'll continue to pursue that interest, as well.

 

“I look forward to enjoying this time. I was kind of a workaholic, so I feel like I can step away from that and put energy into other things,” she said.

 

And who knows. She might end up delving into yet another career.

 

“I’m a licensed counselor and have been for several years, so I could do private practice if I wanted to,” she said. 

 

Editor's Note: Imperial is pictured (from top) at a meeting of the Harrison County Board of Education, student teaching at Simpson Elementary School in 1984 and with her family members.