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By CARRI GRAHAM
ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- St. Clairsville Elementary School Principal Amber Toriseva is known for her friendly presence and the love she has for the students and their wellbeing.
Toriseva, 44, has filled her role as principal for the last two years. She said every day holds something new -- an attribute about her job that she adores.
"There are so many puzzles to figure out throughout the day so my main job is to be a problem solver and to effectively and quickly solve those problems because before I do that, another one arises," she said, adding that she begins her day with an agenda which typically changes.
Toriseva said she works to maintain a calm demeanor and remain flexible in order to get the job done. She said her motto in education is "firm, fair and friendly."
"I kind of treat all situations that way. I want people to realize that every decision I make is in the best interest of the students and I try to remain firm in that decision. I look at all things -- making sure something is fair and that I have a friendly face," she said.
"One of the best compliments I ever received was from a special education student this year who struggles to communicate. His teacher asked him if he came down to my office because I was giving him gifts at Christmas time and he said 'you mean the lady that's always smiling?' I think that everyone would probably say that the friendly part is what I try to approach staff and students with."
Toriseva started off her career at Wheeling Country Day School after graduating from Wheeling Jesuit University, where she worked as a second grade teacher. She then took a couple years off when she had her daughters. Upon her return to the workforce, she secured a job as a second grade teacher at Barnesville Elementary School. Prior to becoming principal, she spent four years as the St. Clairsville-Richland City School District's special needs coordinator.
Toriseva said her love of the area she grew up in and being able to help the area's youth has kept her in the Ohio Valley.
"I love to give back where my foundational education started. It's kind of cool to walk the halls of the elementary school where I was once a child," she said, adding that being there for her students brightens her day.
"It just takes one little smile from a kindergartner to get through your day."
Toriseva urges those starting out in the workforce to follow their passions.
"When you're passionate about it, it's not a job. It's something that you love. I've poured in more hours here than I ever should and my phone is still connected to me when I leave here. I do try to find that separation but it's not work to me," she said.
"You find a job you love and you dedicate your time to it."
When it comes to her job, Toriseva quoted a line written on the school's interior wall which states "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."
"With that quote and in the position I'm in as principal, I rely heavily on the input of my staff before I make any decisions. I look at the big picture and what's going to benefit our students the most and I rely on every staff member from the custodians to our teachers to make the functionality of our school its optimal place to be," she said.
As for the future, Toriseva said she always looks out for trends in education and where changes are being implemented through technology. She said she is always interested in increasing community partnership with organizations that help to support the school in the coming years.
Toriseva just recently tied the knot on Valentine's Day to Josh Galloway. The couple's blended family, which they refer to as the "Brady Bunch," now consists of Toriseva's two daughters and Galloway's three sons, all who attend school in the St. Clairsville school district.
She is a member of the Experience Church, and now also a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She also supports the St. Clairsville Cheerleading Association as well as donating her time to assist the school's athletic program and is a member of the Red Devil Club.