Livingston is ‘Mat-Su BP Teacher of the Year’

WASILLA — Blake Livingston, an English and human relations teacher at Wasilla High School, is the Mat-Su Borough School District BP Teacher of the Year. Celebrating its 20th year in 2015, the program attracted about 1,200 nominations.

Livingston was recognized at an awards ceremony honoring five Mat-Su Borough School District BP Teachers of Excellence, who are among 32 Alaska teachers honored statewide. The BP Teachers of Excellence program is open to all Alaska school districts, recognizing teachers for their dedication to educating and inspiring students.

Livingston teaches English and human relations at Wasilla High School. His classes foster a culture of dignity and respect. As a mentor and boys soccer coach for 17 years, he was recognized seven times as a coach of the year for Region III. Livingston said he believes sports is a metaphor for life and co-founded of the Warrior Athletes for Positive Change, a group that teaches athletes are role models and held to a higher standard.

The five BP Teachers of Excellence Mat-Su Borough winners are:

• Jennifer Bleicher, Cottonwood Creek Elementary School

• Jason Karl Froehle, American Charter Academy

• Blake E. Livingston, Wasilla High School

• Lukis Nighswonger, Iditarod Elementary School

• Lois Randall, Meadow Lakes Elementary School

Each BP Teacher of Excellence receives a $500 gift card and a $500 matching grant to their school. The teacher of the year receives a $1,500 scholarship for continuing education.

The program honors K-12 teachers from public or private schools who have made important contributions to education and their communities. Since the program’s inception in 1995, BP has recognized 650 Alaska teachers.