The Education Department at Cedar Crest College has honored Parkland High School teacher Paul “Wes” Spence with the Howard L. Klopp Exemplary Teacher Award.

Faculty members presented Spence with the award Nov. 8 at the high school.

The Exemplary Teacher Award is named for Howard L. Klopp, a former education professor and chair of the Education Department at Cedar Crest.

The award recognizes outstanding teaching in elementary, middle and secondary schools in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

School administrators, teachers, students or parents nominate an outstanding teacher who represents excellence in the teaching profession.

Spence, a social studies teacher, was nominated by Parkland High School Assistant Principal Tamara Stavenski-Bennick.

“Mr. Spence is truly an outstanding teacher who represents excellence in the profession,” Stavenski-Bennick said.

“Students love having Wes as a teacher because he is extremely positive and shows genuine care and concern for his students.”

Spence exhibits all of the qualities that meet the selection criteria for the Exemplary Teacher Award: a devotion to quality in education, the ability to focus on each student’s strengths, a commitment to helping students achieve their full potential, concern for the students that extends beyond the classroom, outstanding service to school and community, and dedication to helping colleagues and advancing the profession.