Ashtabula County Teacher Death, Districtwide Class Cancellation, Community Grief Support

Pymatuning Valley schools mourn sudden loss of beloved fifth grade teacher

ANDOVER, Ohio – The Pymatuning Valley Local Schools community is grieving after the sudden Ashtabula County teacher death of fifth grade math and science teacher Kevin Wolf, whose passing led the district to cancel classes Friday and open counseling support for students, staff, and families.

Beloved Fifth Grade Teacher Remembered

Wolf taught fifth grade at Pymatuning Valley Middle School in Andover and was widely known as a patient, steady presence for students transitioning from elementary to middle school.

In a message to families, the superintendent described Wolf as a dedicated educator, trusted colleague and dear friend, as well as a loving husband and father. District leaders emphasized that his impact extended beyond the classroom, where he was known for building relationships, encouraging students who struggled with math, and making science feel hands-on and approachable.

Wolf, a graduate of Pymatuning Valley High School, had returned to his home district to teach, a point of pride for many in the community who saw him as an example of a student-turned-mentor investing back into local kids.

As of Friday, no cause of death had been publicly released.

Classes Canceled to Allow Time to Grieve

In light of Wolf’s death and the threat of severe winter weather, Pymatuning Valley Local Schools canceled classes districtwide on Friday.

The superintendent told families that the decision was made to give students and staff space to process the news rather than asking children to manage a normal school day in the immediate aftermath of the loss. Parents were encouraged to talk openly with their children, watch for signs of anxiety or withdrawal, and reach out for help if kids appeared overwhelmed.

Staff were also given time away from the classroom to mourn a colleague many had worked alongside for years.

Counseling and Community Support in Andover

To support those grieving, the district arranged counseling resources at the Anchor of Hope Resource Center on East Main Street in Andover, open from mid-morning through late afternoon on Friday.

School counselors and other trained professionals were made available for students, staff, and community members seeking a quiet place to talk, reflect, or pray. Families were told that students did not need to be currently enrolled in Pymatuning Valley schools to receive support.

The district signaled that additional counseling and classroom-level support will likely continue when students return, noting that the loss of a teacher can be especially difficult for younger children who may be experiencing the death of a trusted adult in their daily life for the first time.

Long-Term Impact on a Tight-Knit District

Pymatuning Valley is a small, close-knit district where many families know each other through school, church, youth sports, and community events. The death of a popular teacher like Wolf reaches far beyond one classroom.

For current fifth graders, the loss is immediate and deeply personal. For former students now in high school or beyond, social media and word-of-mouth tributes reflect how many still remember his classroom as a turning point in their academic confidence, especially in math and science.

District leaders have asked the community to keep Wolf’s family and the Pymatuning Valley school community in their thoughts and prayers in the weeks ahead, acknowledging that grief will not end with a single day off from school.