The 20th Annual BP Teachers of Excellence Awards received over 1,200 teacher nominations this year.
BP’s Dawn Patience said they decided to award 32 teachers of excellence and the Kenai Peninsula garnered five awards.
Patience: “Jake Doth, who is with Nikiski Middle/High School, Shannon Dwyre from Skyview Middle School, Judy Gonsalves from West Homer Elementary School, James Harris from Soldotna High School, and Matthew Widamin from Kenai Central High School.”
Each teacher of excellence will be given a 20th Anniversary Commemorative Award, a $500 gift card, and their school receives a matching $500.
Kenai Central High School’s construction, drafting and welding teacher Matt Widamin said the nomination was a complete surprise but he feels good knowing his hard work is noticed.
We asked him which program he would designate the $500 for his school to…
Widamin: “It would actually be the welding program, that’s usually the one that costs most, and yet it’s the most in need for kids as well. Most kids come through that program in the higher numbers so as a program in need it’s most viable to put the money in that program.”
