Two Earn Staff Excellence Awards

Two Westlake Schools’ staff members, Maureen McBride and Sandra Santora, were honored by their peers with staff excellence awards.

The Excellence in Teaching award went to McBride, a fourth-grade teacher at Hilliard Elementary School. Santora, a special education assistant at Lee Burneson Middle School, received the Excellence in Classified Service award.

The two were honored at the March 18 Board of Education meeting.

 McBride, who has been with the district since 1987, is described by colleagues as a passionate teacher who works to meet the needs of all of her students.

 “She has a gift of finding a way to connect with each child,” a colleague wrote in a nomination letter. “Maureen has the belief that all students are capable of significant achievement.”

 McBride has served on various school committees over the years, including curriculum, Literacy Night, Earth Day and Harvest for Hunger committees.

Santora was hired by the district in 2003. Her colleagues describe her as a team player, organized and professional.

“Sandra is always willing to help when needed and is always flexible to meet the needs of students and staff,” a colleague wrote in a nomination letter. “She finds a way to make a connection with each student she is needed to work with and does so sincerely.

“She takes the toughest cases and makes them a success story.”

Award winners will have their names inscribed on a plaque to be permanently displayed at the Administration Building.