Adam L. Cheeseman is the Superintendent of Doddridge County Schools. A native West Virginian, he oversees the 1200-student district in North Central, West Virginia, where he has implemented many innovative changes.
The district’s “Career Exploration” course meets student needs by teaching financial literacy and job-building skills such as interview skills, resume writing, understanding budgets, and how the credit system operates. The county also recently hired a College and Career Readiness Coordinator to enhance student opportunities for vocational development and college preparation.
He has emphasized the “Holistic Child” by extending the delivery of meals to students both during the school year and on breaks, hiring a Mental Health Coordinator, a Mental Health Specialist, a County Behavior Specialist, and a county Social Worker. To enhance student achievement, he hired Countywide Math and English Language Arts Specialists who work directly with classroom teachers.
He has closely partnered with JASON Learning to expand the science curriculum and send students to train with top scientists worldwide. The county has placed dedicated STEAM labs in each school in the district and became the first district in the nation to be named an AASA STEM Certified District.
The district has partnered with critical regional businesses, developing state-approved localized curricula with industry. Doddridge County Students receive specialized education in engineering, broadband internet development, diesel mechanics, oil and gas production, AI, and HVAC.
Once one of the lowest-performing school districts in the state, Doddridge County rose from 53rd position to consistently rank in the top five districts in the West Virginia General Summative Assessment.
Mr. Cheeseman received his Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Alderson Broaddus University and his Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Liberty University in 2011. He is currently working on his Doctorate in Strategic Leadership through Liberty University. He is married to his wife, Lisa, and has three daughters.
Mr. Cheeseman is the past president of the West Virginia Association of School Administrators and was recently named the 2023-2024 West Virginia Superintendent of the Year.
Past AASA West Virginia Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2023 West Virginia Superintendent of the Year: Michael Wells
2022 West Virginia Superintendent of the Year: Stephen Wotring
2021 West Virginia Superintendent of the Year: Blaine Hess
About the Award:
The Superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State-level winners are selected on the following criteria:
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- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement