CHARLESTON, WV – Congratulations to Education WV member Becky Turner, who was awarded $10,000 as one of the Union Plus Hometown Heroes during the Union Plus/Unions Power America Labor Day celebration!
Turner, who is a transportation aide in Kanawha County, was presented the award for quickly and safely disarming a student who had brought a firearm onto the school bus and selflessly protecting the bus full of children. The incident occurred in January 2026.
Quote byDale Lee, Education WV Co-President
If you missed the live Labor Day broadcast of the celebration, you can watch the moment Turner learned she won $10,000 and hear the full story of her heroic actions at the link below. Becky’s segment begins at 15:29 in the video.
“Her first thought was, I have to protect all the kids on the bus, and I have to protect this child too,” explained Education WV Co-President Dale Lee.
Turner’s swift and selfless act demonstrated the high level of care and dedication she puts into her job and the children she serves.
“Education WV is incredibly proud of Becky and honored to have a Union Plus Hometown Hero as our member,” said Education WV Co-President Kristie Skidmore.
Despite the accolades, Turner remained incredibly modest, stating, “I don’t see myself as a hero. I see myself as someone who cares deeply about my kids.”
Quote byKristie Skidmore, Education WV Co-President
While the award came as a surprise, Turner already has plans of using some of the funds to launch a business idea aimed at creating stations for those who get overwhelmed in busy social situations to decompress as well as providing supplies for her schools. Upon hearing her plans, the Union Plus representatives took Turner shopping for school supplies immediately after the surprise award presentation.
