Four Lexington Two educators recognized with state, national honors

Four Lexington School District Two educators have been recognized with state and national honors.

Haley Williamson has received the Outstanding Special Education Award from the National Association of Special Education Teachers. Williamson is one of only five educators nationwide to receive the award, which the association notes is in recognition of educators who embody lifelong learning, innovation, and a deep commitment to providing access to every student.  Williamson, a Brookland-Cayce High School special education teacher, has launched a number of initiatives at the school to bring together students with and without disabilities so they can learn from and support each other.

Kimberly Plowden has been selected as the Counseling and Career Development Professional of the Year Award by the South Carolina Association for Career and Technical Education (SCACTE). The annual award recognizes a school counselor or career development professional who has made significant contributions in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs within South Carolina and their efforts in connecting students to CTE opportunities. Plowden is the coordinator of Work-Based Learning at the Lexington Two Innovation Center.

Roger Villegas is a recipient of the University of South Carolina College of Education’s Coaching Teacher Award of Excellence. The College of Education notes the award is given annually to a coaching teacher in the state of South Carolina for their work supporting interns through the supervision of their student teaching experience.  Villegas, who is a social studies teacher at Fulmer Middle School, received his own bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of South Carolina.

Rosalinda Contreras, a member of the district’s STAR Family Partnership team through the Early Childhood program, has been selected as one of four National Parent Educators of the Year by the Parents As Teachers Association.  The award recognizes individuals for their exceptional dedication to supporting families and early childhood development, according to the association.  Contreras will be recognized at the group’s international conference this fall.