Krista DeVaughn

The Sistersville High School Alumni Association is pleased to recognize Krista Hanood DeVaughn as the Golden Apple Award Recipient for 2025. Krista is an SHS graduate and member of the class of 1988. The Golden Apple Award is presented annually by the association in recognition of a teacher who has exemplified the teaching profession and has at least 25 years of service to students of Tyler County.

Krista earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education Multi-subjects K-8 from West Virginia University in 1992. She began her career substitute teaching in 1992 until 1996. Krista’s first full-time teaching position started in 1996 with first grade, then kindergarten from 1997 until 1999. Krista received a master’s degree in special education from West Virginia University in 1999. She then shifted her focus to special education until 2008.

Krista earned a Certification in Educational Leadership from Salem University in 2006. In 2008, Krista was awarded the position of Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at TCMS/TCHS. She then transitioned to principal at Sistersville Elementary School in 2010, where she remains today. During her tenure she has received multiple awards including Sistersville Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Tyler County Teacher of the Year, West Virginia Teacher of the Year finalist, and First Year’s Principal’s Academy Distinguished Scholar.

Krista has always been a dedicated leader and mentor to others over the years. She has participated in the Teacher’s Advisory Council, Faculty Senate Vice President and President, and Teacher Leadership Institute. She has been a dedicated cheerleading coach and track coach. Krista has also volunteered in our community as a youth league coach and a member of the Sistersville Hospital Foundation.

Krista is the daughter of the late Emil Hanood, class of 1955 and Martha Wells Hanood, class of 1956. She has one brother, Danny Hanood, class of 1992. Krista was married to the late Kevin DeVaughn, class of 1986. They have two daughters, Madison, who is a 2025 graduate of WVU with a Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology (M.S., CF-SLP) and Hali, who just completed her freshman year at West Liberty and is currently studying elementary education. Both daughters were recipients of the Roy C. Heinlein scholarship. Krista feels very fortunate to have lived and worked her entire career in Tyler County.