About Sharon Spencer

Delegate Sharon Spencer has been a member of West Virginia House of Delegates for more than 24 years. She was first elected in 1982 and has served longer than any other member from Kanawha County.

Sharon is the Committee Chairperson for Pensions and Retirement.  She is the Assistant Majority Whip and serves on the Committees on Health and Human Resources, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs,  and Finance. She is also a proud member of the Legislative Intern Committee and serves as a member of the Select Committee on Senior Issues.

Sharon has a Master of Arts degree in Special Education from Marshall University. In addition, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Specialization, Elementary Education and Child Development from West Virginia University and the University of Charleston. She is currently pursuing Doctoral studies in Special and Higher Education at WVU. She also studied at the University of Maryland in Education of the Deaf.

Sharon is certified by the State of West Virginia in early childhood, elementary education K-8, special education K-12 and mentally impaired.   She holds a Principal's Certificate as well as a Superintendent's Certificate from Salem University.

Sharon teaches kindergarten at Glenwood Elementary in Kanawha County, West Virginia. She is a nationally recognized author and presenter on the topics of vocational and educational programs and the costs of rehabilitation support for individuals with disabilities, and she has developed faculty training programs throughout the United States regarding disability access and the cost of accommodations and support.

Sharon is the author of publications and training manuals regarding gifted education, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Otitis Media, developmental delays, job training skills, and vocational and rehabilitation programming. Delegate Spencer has worked closely with the Governor’s Office, the state departments of Health and Human Resources, Division of Maternal and Child Health, Education, Corrections and the Division of Rehabilitative Services. She is the past Chair of the Committee on Special Education and Disability Access and Recruitment and Retention of Students at Risk in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Sharon has been a Ham or amateur radio operator since 1998. She is past ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator—West Virginia section, member of the West Virginia State Amateur Radio Council, member of the Kanawha Amateur Radio Club, Vice-President of Charleston Area Hamfest, member of the Kanawha Amateur Radio Emergency Service (local ARES affiliate group), an Amateur Extra class operator and she also serves as an ARRL Volunteer Examiner.

Sharon authored the "Amateur Radio Antenna Protection Act", which was passed by the state Legislature and signed into law in 2002. The landmark legislation requires counties and municipalities to "reasonably accommodate" amateur radio antennas and comply with FCC rules. "I love amateur radio and being involved in public service. I especially like participation in emergency communications. Through my involvement in the WV Legislature, I have been able to focus much governmental attention to the wonderful things HAMs do for their communities. I am so thankful to be a part of this great hobby!"

Sharon was named "West Virginia Outstanding Amateur of the Year" and was recipient of the West Virginia State Radio Council's "Special Achievement Award" at the annual West Virginia ARRL State Convention in 2002. In 2003, she was named "Kanawha Valley Amateur Radio Operator of the Year".

Sharon is a member of the Civil Air Patrol.  She has attained the rank of Major.

Sharon is involved in community theater. She is a past board member of the Kanawha Players and has been involved with the Charleston Light Opera Guild and Children’s Theater of Charleston. She is the mother of seven children.