WHES teacher noted for ‘excellence’

A West Homer Elementary School teacher is one of five Kenai Peninsula Borough School District educators who have been selected as 2014 BP Teachers of Excellence. 

Judy Gonsalves of WHES joins Jacob Doth of Nikiski Middle-High School, Shannon Dwyer of Skyview Middle School, James Harris of Soldotna High School and Matt Widaman of Kenai Central High School in receiving the award.

“Judy is an exceptional teacher who has been teaching for 30 years,” said WHES Principal Ray Marshall. “For the last 12 years, West Homer Elementary has been blessed to have her as our speech and language pathologist.”

Gonsalves is West Homer’s 10th teacher to be nominated since BP began its “Teacher of Excellence” program 15 years ago, according to Marhsall.

Most recently honored were in 2014, when Barbra Ann Veeck was named BP’s “Teacher of the Year” and Katie Bynagle was one of the peninsula’s five “Teachers of Excellence.”   

This year’s five teachers will be recognized at an April 28 reception at Alaska Christian College in Soldotna.