About West Virginia Civics Coalition

Our Mission

The WV CIvics Coalition works to strengthen civic learning and civic participation across West Virginia. We bring together educators, organizations, and community members from across the state to support policies, practices, and partnerships that help people understand how our democracy works and how they can take part in it.

We believe that civic learning should prepare students and community members of all ages to engage thoughtfully in civic life. Our work focuses primarily on K-12 civic learning, while staying responsive to higher education and the broader needs of West Virginians across the state.

The WVCC exists to connect people, share knowledge, and elevate voices from communities across the Mountain State. By building strong relationships across political, geographic, and institutional lines we seek to ensure that civic learning reflects the real experiences of West Virginians and supports a democracy that serves everyone.

We collaborate with educators, students, policymakers, and community partners to listen, learn, and advance a strong future for civic learning in West Virginia.

OUR HISTORY

The West Virginia Civics Coalition began with a small group of people who shared a belief that civic education in our state would be stronger if it was built collaboratively. That first meeting was straightforward and practical, centered on building relationships, listening closely, and identifying opportunities. A simple spreadsheet helped keep track of connections as interest grew, but the work was never about the tool. It was about people showing up, sharing ideas, and committing to the slow, thoughtful work of building something meaningful together across West Virginia.

From those early efforts, the Coalition has grown steadily and with intention. The organization formally incorporated as a West Virginia nonprofit and received Internal Revenue Service approval as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization, establishing a strong foundation for long-term sustainability. The Coalition has since hosted two successful annual Civic Learning Week events, engaging educators, students, policymakers, and community members through both in-person and virtual participation. It has also launched a Civic Cords program recognizing graduating high school students who have met civic education standards and developed curriculum programming to support civic learning for teachers across the state.

Today, the Coalition is guided by an elected Board of Directors that includes leaders from education, government, the judiciary, and community organizations throughout West Virginia. The Board meets monthly via Zoom and supports the work of active committees that advance the Coalition’s initiatives. Looking ahead, the Coalition is preparing students to serve as facilitators for a public listening tour in multiple regions of the state in 2026, further centering youth voice and community engagement. An accessible website and active social media presence serve as key communication tools, while a stable financial structure supported by a multi-level sponsorship model ensures the Coalition can continue to grow thoughtfully and sustainably. Together, these milestones reflect a journey rooted in grassroots beginnings and sustained by shared leadership and a deep commitment to civic education in West Virginia.

COALITION OFFICERS

Betsy Osborne

President

During her teaching career, Dr. Osborne dedicated ten years to teaching social studies in a middle school classroom. She taught 7th grade U.S. History (1865-present), as well as 8th grade Civics and Economics.

Currently, as a teacher educator, she assists students in the Secondary Social Studies program who aspire to become social studies educators. Dr. Osborne’s research interests revolve around critically examining and disrupting whiteness within social studies education. Her dissertation, “The Eruption of Disruption: The Manifestation of Disrupting whiteness in Secondary Social Studies in Appalachia” (2023), investigated the lived experiences of social studies educators and their entanglement with the phenomenon of disrupting whiteness. She is deeply invested in understanding and challenging the dominant narratives and perspectives that have historically excluded marginalized voices from K-12 social studies curriculum.

Eli Baumwell

Secretary

Eli Baumwell serves as the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect and expand civil rights and liberties.

He joined the ACLU-WV in 2015 as Policy Director. Prior to that, he practiced Social Security disability law. Eli holds a law degree and a master’s in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, and a bachelor’s degree in government from Cornell University. He lives in Charleston, West Virginia, with his wife and triplet sons.

John Quesenberry

Vice President

Teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School
Finalist for Bill of Rights Institute National Civics Teacher of the Year (2023)
Gilder-Lehrman State History Teacher of the Year, West Virginia (2014)

Woodrow Wilson High School Teacher of the Year (2022)
West Virginia Council for the Social Studies – Former President / Current Executive Committee
West Virginia Civics Coalition – Secretary
West Virginia Education Association – State Executive Committee
Raleigh County Education Association – President
Sphere Teacher Advisory Committee
National Constitution Center Teacher Advisory Committee
WV Courts Learning Center Teacher Advisory Committee
Committee to Rewrite State Social Studies Standards
WV United Methodist Church – Southern District Lead Team
WV United Methodist Church – Lay Servant (Lay Speaker)
Mullens United Methodist Church – Lay Leader, Administrative Council Chair, Sunday School Teacher
WV United Methodist Church – Delegate to Annual Conference
National Education Association – Delegate to Representative Assembly
Head Football Coach – Independence Middle School

David King

Officer

David King serves as director of Ohio-West Virginia Youth Leadership Association (YLA). Civic understanding and responsibilities are woven in all YLA youth programs including Youth in Government Student Legislature

and Supreme Court at the West Virginia Capitol and the Ohio Statehouse, 8th Grade Youth & Government Seminars, local YLA Chapters, Entrepreneurship and Leadership Summits at YLA Camp Horseshoe in West Virginia and soon at YLA’s new Ohio Center for Community Leadership and children’s programs at Camp Horseshoe. Prior to his YLA service, David taught 11th Grade American History. David earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Wittenberg and a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Bowling Green State University. He was named a Distinguished West Virginian by Governor Joe Manchin in 2005 and was appointed to the Ohio Association of Commodores by Governor Ted Strickland in 2007. Wittenberg recognized David with their 2021 Servant Leader Award.

David is a graduate of Leadership West Virginia. A founder of South-Central Ohio Preservation Society, David’s memberships include historical societies in Aurora and Tucker County WV and Greenfield, Ohio, The Aurora Project in Preston County, Chautauqua Network, Heritage Ohio, Preservation Society of West Virginia, WV Humanities Council, Gallery at 409 Point Pleasant, Southern Hills Arts Council In Jackson, Ohio, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation,

Tom Tinder

Treasurer

Holds degrees from West Virginia University. Employment experiences with state and county government entities, legal organizations, and philanthropic foundations.

Volunteer positions in local, state, and national nonprofit groups. Service leadership in programs to benefit WV citizens. Personal focus on faith, family, and friendships.

WVCC BOARD MEMBERS

Eli Baumwell (Charleston)
Jennifer Bundy (Charleston)
Pat Dillon (Dingess)
Dr. Shanequa Smith (Charleston)
David King (Point Pleasant)
Chief Judge Tom Kleeh (Clarksburg)
Autumn Meadows (Charleston)
Terri Meadows (Charleston)
Margaret Miller (Charleston)
Betsy Osborne (Morgantown)
Rory Perry (Charleston)
Mike Queen (Charleston)
John Quesenberry (Beckley)
Tom Tinder (Charleston)
Eric Waggoner (Charleston)