Around Livingston for May 14, 2012
Educator a finalist for Teacher of the Year
Walker High School English teacher Margaret Westmoreland has been named a finalist for the Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year award.
Westmoreland is one of eight high-school teachers to advance to the final round of competition. All finalists will be honored at the sixth annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Symposium and Celebration in July.
Westmoreland teaches English to juniors and seniors, officials said. She is responsible for the English III, English IV and English IV Honors classes, as well as two college courses: English 101 and the introduction to education class known as STAR, school officials said.
She is the school’s Leadership Council sponsor, working with the school’s upperclassmen to become better campus and community leaders.
Westmoreland has a master’s of education degree in educational administration and a Plus-30 certification and a bachelor’s degree in English education.
Each year the state honors the top Elementary, Middle and High School Teacher of the Year. Additionally, Louisiana’s Teacher of the Year winners will advance to the National Teacher of the Year competition.
Mercedes Benz of Baton Rouge will award the Teacher of the Year a one-year lease to a brand new car. Teacher winners and regional finalists will also receive cash prizes, along with other donated prizes.
Chemistry Teacher of Year
The Awards Committee for the Baton Rouge Section of the American Chemical Society selected Michael Cox, of Albany High School, as a co-awardee for the High School Chemistry Teacher of the Year for the nine-parish region, school officials said.
Both teachers and their schools will receive $500 as well as a donation to the school, which will be used to enhance chemistry and science education at each school.
During his career, Cox has been nominated for many awards, including Teacher of the Year at Albany High seven times, the National Teacher of the Year nomination in 2002, Outstanding Math Educator by LATM for 1995 and 1996, Tandy Technology Scholars Outstanding Teacher for 1994-1995 and 1995-1996, and the Softball Coach of the Year in 1984.
He has also taught for many years on weekends and summers in various programs such as Upward Bound and ACT Prep courses offered at SLU, school officials said.
Grand opening
Faithful Companions, a grooming salon, located on the grounds of the Continental Kennel Club, will host a grand opening/pet fest from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the CKC’s newest location located just off I-12 in Livingston.
The event will feature agility demonstrations, retriever trials, weight-pulling demonstrations and a pet contest.
Food, crafts and door prizes also will be available.
The Livingston Parish SPCA will be at the event.
To submit news, contact the Florida Parishes Bureau office by phone at (225) 664-9058, by fax at (225) 664-9710, or by email at Florida @the advocate.com.