Last Wednesday, physics teacher John Taylor accepted the title of Teacher of the Year, a yearly award bestowed by National Honors Society. It was given to him at the NHS Induction Ceremony in front of a large crowd in the auditorium. His speech started with several jokes, which may have come to a surprise to parents, but was eagerly expected by all of his students. Secondly came a brief background of his teaching career. Taylor first taught at a school for the blind, and later a juvenile detention center before ending up at West. He ended his speech on an inspirational note, urging students to take the morally correct path, instead of the easiest one at the moment.

Taylor follows a long line of other teachers to win this prestigious award including Marla Dercher and Kelly Gill. As he stood behind the podium, he said with a smile on his face, “I am very honored to receive this award.”