Members of the academic community are mourning the loss of Language Arts teacher Shannon Wigfield, who perished in a horrific school bus accident. Photo credit: LinkedIn
Hearts are heavy in Bolivar, Ohio, this week as the community mourns the loss of English teacher Shannon Wigfield. She perished in a horrific school bus accident on Tues., Nov. 14. The beloved educator taught at Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia. She was 46 years old.
The group on the bus was on their way to the Ohio School Board Association Capital Conference at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, where the Tuscarawa Valley High School Band was scheduled to perform. Shannon had agreed to serve as a parent chaperone because one of her three children was a member of the band.
The horrific accident also claimed the lives of three students, Tuscarawa Valley High School mathematics teacher Dave Kennat, and fellow parent chaperone Kristy Gaynor. According to police authorities, the accident occurred when the bus the students were traveling in was hit by a commercial semitrailer traveling in the same direction, resulting in a five-vehicle chain reaction.
The loss of the beloved educator has been very difficult for those who knew her, according to Bob Alsept, Superintendent of Buckeye Career Center. He remembers Shannon as, “A wonderful teacher, but more than what she taught, she really made them feel special about themselves, wouldn’t let them fail, could be hard on them as she needed to be, but also let them know that she cared deeply about their success,” he says. “I never remember seeing her and thinking she was having anything but a great day because she had a smile on her face and just carried herself enthusiastically and you know what? That rubs off on students, they are drawn to that,” Alsept continued.
Shannon was born on May 10, 1977, in Dennison, Ohio. She graduated from Claymont High School in Uhrichsville, Ohio, in 1995. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Ohio University in 2000. Her career as an educator spanned 24 years.
Our sincerest condolences to Shannon’s family, friends, and colleagues.