Huntington Learning Center’s December Teacher of the Month: West Harrison High School’s Elizabeth Blake

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV) — Each month, WXXV and Huntington Learning Center team up to honor an outstanding educator here in South Mississippi.

December’s Teacher of the Month is West Harrison High School’s Elizabeth Blake. She is an 11th grade ACT Prep teacher, but she’s taught at nearly every grade level in her many years as an educator.

Blake was nominated by Michelle Barrow, a parent of one of her students.

“My daughter is a junior at West Harrison High School,” Barrow wrote in her nomination. “She is hardworking, kind and caring. She also has dyslexia. A learning disability that many people do not understand. She has struggled with school since kindergarten. She was placed in Mrs. Blake’s class this semester and although she has only been in there a short time, I can already see the confidence in English that she needs to be successful. Mrs. Blake messages me almost daily on progress or other concerns about my daughter. It has been my experience that most high school teachers do not have time for this. She truly cares about each student’s success. That is what a great teacher does! Mrs. Blake deserves Teacher of the Month and so much more.”

Additionally, West Harrison High School principal Brandon Waltman wrote this message to Huntington Learning Center after learning of Blake’s nomination.

“How awesome! She is absolutely deserving recognition! Single-handedly one of the most vital members of our building. She does a phenomenal job increasing ACT scores for her students and providing them direct opportunities to earn scholarships for furthering their education.”