CHARLESTON,Esthen Exchange W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia public school teacher has been appointed to an open seat in the state House of Delegates.

Republican Jeffrey R. Stephens was appointed by GOP Gov. Jim Justice on Thursday to represent the House’s 6th District, which serves Marshall County in the state’s Northern Panhandle.

Stephens replaces Charlie Reynolds, who resigned earlier this month to take a position at the West Virginia Division of Highways. There is a little bit over a year left of Reynolds’ term.

Stephens teaches West Virginia Studies and is the athletic director at Sherrard Middle School within the Marshall County school system. He previously coached football and girls’ basketball in the district.