Education has always been at the forefront of the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum’s mission. We are always exploring new ways to collaborate with educators to help teach this history to new generations of students.

With this goal in mind, the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum has recruited eight teachers from throughout the state for an Education Advisory Panel. Over the course of their two-year terms, these panelists will:

• learn about the people’s history of the Mine Wars and the stories and figures that make this era a unique part of West Virginia and American history; 

• develop classroom-ready educational materials like lessons, reading guides, and other programming that the Museum will make available to educators at no cost; 

• bridge the gap between the classroom and history within your students’ community;

• forge lasting connections and solidarity among educators by joining a dedicated panel of classroom teachers and community institutions that teach people’s history. 

These panelists represent some of the most qualified educators in the region. We are excited to build these partnerships, and we can’t wait to see the new ways they develop to share the story of the West Virginia Mine Wars!

Brian Allman

Brian Allman is a nationally recognized public-school educator who currently teaches social studies at Buckhannon-Upshur High School in Upshur County, West Virginia. In 2019, Allman was recognized with West Virginia’s Milken Educator Award as a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School. This award is nicknamed the “Oscars of Teaching.” In 2020, Mr. Allman was selected as a member of the West Virginia State Journal Generation Next: 40 under 40 and was the recipient of the Young Alumni Achievement Award at his alma mater, West Virginia Wesleyan College. Allman was also named a 2022 Lowell Milken Center Fellow at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas. Most recently, Brian was honored as the 2023 West Virginia History Teacher of the Year awarded by the Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History. Allman earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 2007. He also received a master’s degree in educational leadership from Marshall University in 2015 giving him certifications to serve as a principal, supervisor of general instruction, and superintendent. He looks forward to participating on this panel because he recognizes the importance of preserving our state’s history for generations to come.

Adena Barnette-Miller

Adena Barnette-Miller earned her degree in Secondary Social Studies Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 2003 and began teaching at her alma mater, Ripley High School, in 2004. Barnette-Miller was chosen as the 2011 West Virginia James Madison Memorial Foundation Fellow which funded her master’s degree in American History and Government from Ashland University. In 2019, the James Madison Foundation chose Barnette-Miller as its first congressional fellow from WV. Barnette-Miller attained the 2021 Gilder-Lehrman Institute’s West Virginia History Teacher of the Year, the 2016 WV DAR Outstanding Teacher of American History, and placed third in the national DAR contest. Barnette-Miller was chosen the 2018 Jackson County Democrat of the Year for her leadership during the statewide educator walkouts. Barnette-Miller is the elected president of the Jackson County Education Association, a board member of the West Virginia Education Association Executive Committee, and is the NEA Resolutions Committeewoman for WV. Barnette-Miller is the current president of the WV Council of the Social Studies and coordinates her school and county social studies fairs. Barnette-Miller and her husband created a place-based YouTube Channel entitled “WV History with Mrs. B.” where they share stories about West Virginia, its people, and its history. 

Ashlea Carey

I am excited to join the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum Education Advisory Panel because I believe the Mine Wars are a vital part of our heritage that we must preserve. I look forward to collaborating with other educators and historians in order to bring these stories to the students of West Virginia and beyond.

I am entering my fifteenth year of teaching and currently teach English at Chapmanville Regional High School in Logan County.

Joe Hunt

For nearly 25 years, I have dedicated my career to teaching Social Studies in Mingo County, West Virginia. I began my journey at Williamson High School and Matewan High School before moving to Mingo Central High School, where I now serve as the Social Studies Department Chair. Over the years, I have taught a wide range of subjects, including World History, US History, AP US History, Psychology, AP Psychology, and Civics. My commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, as I have also served on the WV Textbook Committee and am a proud alumnus of Ford's Theater’s "Set In Stone" program.

Born and raised in the "Heart of the Billion Dollar Coalfield," I am deeply connected to the history of our region. As the son and brother of UMWA coal miners, I understand the importance of the coal mining industry and the significant, yet often overlooked, role it has played in our nation's history. This personal connection, along with my passion for history, is why I decided to join the WV Mine Wars Education Advisory Panel. I am committed to ensuring that the story of the WV coal miners and the Mine Wars is accurately represented and recognized as a crucial chapter in American history.

Jessica Means

My interest in our state’s history started at a young age traveling with my grandfather through the coal fields of West Virginia. His stories, although fascinating, seemed exaggerated until I learned in college that the stories were true. His stories of the toil and tragedy in our mountain state captured my attention and inspired my love of history and our state. As I continue into my 12th year of teaching 8th grade WV Studies, I strive to enrich the learning experiences for my students at John Adams Middle School in Kanawha County and encourage them to connect with our past. The stories of the Mine Wars have been looked over in our history for too long and I look forward to working on the Education Advisory Panel to bring more resources to our teachers.

Allyson Perry

After graduating in 2014 with my M.A. in History from West Virginia University, I began teaching at Barrackville Elementary Middle School in Marion County. In 2018, I became a National Board Certified Teacher, and in 2022, I graduated with my Ed.S. and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Marshall University. Currently, I teach 8th grade West Virginia Studies and English Language Arts and mentor newly-hired teachers.

My initial interest in Appalachian history began in college, but my desire to learn more about labor history stemmed from my involvement in the West Virginia Education Association. I was elected to the WVEA executive committee from 2017 to 2020 and served as president of the Marion County Education Association from 2016 to 2020. As a local and state leader during the 2018 and 2019 teacher strikes, I was inspired by the stories I heard of previous labor struggles, including the Mine Wars.

I am excited to join the Education Advisory Panel and merge my interest in our state’s history with my dedication to education. I hope to inspire students with stories from the West Virginia Mine Wars and help the next generation better understand and appreciate this critical period in American history.

Eric Starr

My name is Eric Starr, and I am a teacher at Tug Valley High School. I hold a bachelor’s degree in social studies education for grades 5-12 and a master’s degree in history. Over the years, I've been blessed to teach various courses at both high school and college levels, sharing my love for history with learners.

While pursuing my master’s degree, I developed a deep interest in Mine Wars History. Learning about the miners' struggles and their fight for justice deeply resonated with me, especially since I have always called West Virginia my home and come from family who are members of the UMWA, NEA, and Teamsters.

It is an honor to be a member of the Mine Wars Education Advisory Panel. My mission is to champion this underserved piece of history and bring quality educational materials to students and teachers.

Tonya Stuart

In 2005, I began teaching with a great group of first graders in Harrison county. In the years since,  I’ve spent time as a reading specialist for kindergarten-5th grade students, an academic coach supporting colleagues, and for the past 4 years, I have been blessed to teach 3rd grade. I graduated from Fairmont State College with my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and earned my Masters in Literacy Education from WVU.  I am a granddaughter of a coal miner, and a daughter of a welder who worked for several coal companies.  I am a WV  teacher who went on strike in 2018 and became passionate about fighting for those who work in public education and the students we serve.  As a result, I have learned more than I ever did about labor history in WV and believe that it is crucial for our students to understand the history of our state and its people. I am looking forward to being on this panel in order to support teachers in this same  endeavor.