Citadel Credit Union will honor 31 of the finest educators from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Lancaster, and Philadelphia counties with its Citadel Heart of Learning Award on Monday, May 2 from 6-9 PM at The Mann Center in Philadelphia.
The Citadel Heart of Learning Award program, now in its 21st year, started in Chester County but has expanded in recent years to honor teachers from the entire region.
Teachers were nominated by students, peers, parents, and administrators. Citadel receives thousands of nominations each year for teachers who truly go above their standard call of duty.
Twenty-eight winners receive $1,000, and three grand-prize winners (announced at the ceremony) will receive $5,000 for themselves and another $5,000 for their school.
“Citadel is proud to recognize 31 educators who each has a unique background and their own story,” said Mike Schnably, Senior Vice President, Citadel Credit Union. “Across Greater Philadelphia, our counties, towns, and districts have varied challenges and students with diverse needs. What all areas have in common is there are dedicated teachers building strength in education. Celebrating teachers, the unsung heroes who mold our children, continues to be one of Citadel’s proudest moments as an organization each year.”
The following elementary school teachers will be honored with the Citadel Heart of Learning Award:
- Elena Carlson, Gladwyne Elementary
- Shawntae Brabham, Disston Elementary
- Michelle Jacobs, Warwick Elementary
- Matt Rogers, Salisbury Elementary
- Miriam Coppola, Wayne Elementary
- Amy Hess, French Creek Elementary
- Jason Baughman, Jordan Bank Elementary
- Jennifer Burns, Robeson Elementary Center
- Dawn Oldenski, Chadds Ford Elementary
- Deb Rooney, Bradford Heights Elementary
- Jennifer Franz, Sarah Starkweather Elementary
The following middle school teachers will be honored with the Citadel Heart of Learning Award:
- Riley Polino, Rudolph Blankenburg School
- Kristi Gases, Maple Point Middle School
- Ryan Hipp, Donegal Junior High
- Linda Homer, Darby Township
- Lisa Adamski, Scott Sixth Grade Center
- George Hankins, Colonial Middle School
- Lisa Gray, Phoenixville Middle School
The following high school teachers will be honored with the Citadel Heart of Learning Award:
- Marissa Regad, Central Bucks West High School
- Veronica Vladimirova-Cambria, Harriton High School
- Louis Lozzi, Paul Robeson High School
- Elyse Minder, J.P. McCaskey High School
- Chrissa Kuntz, Penncrest High School
- Mike Deegan, Mastery Charter Harrity Upper School
- Kyle Sollenberger, TCHS Brandywine
- Michael Kowalski, Avon Grove High School
- Kyle Hess, Great Valley High School
- Wendy Kotz, Kennett High School
- Kelly Holub, Octorara Junior/Senior High School
- Orlando Carvajal, Conestoga High School
- Dante Coles, Malvern Prep
Learn more about the Citadel Heart of Learning Award.
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WCASD School Board members Dr. Karen Herrmann (left), VP Sue Tiernan, Hillsdale Principal Julianne Pecorella, Mary Daniels, Rep. Carolyn Comitta, Superintendent Dr. Jim Scalon
Congratulations to Hillsdale Elementary School teacher Mary Daniels on being named a finalist for the Citadel Heart of Learning Award. Daniels is one of 15 Chester County teachers nominated for the award. The unsuspecting Daniels recently received a visit at Hillsdale from Citadel representatives notifying her that she was a district winner. She received $500 to spend on materials for her classroom.
An awards ceremony honoring all of the winners was held at the Desmond Hotel on May 8.
This year marks the 17th annual Citadel Heart of Learning Award program, established by Citadel and the Chester County Intermediate Unit to honor, recognize, and thank outstanding teachers in Chester County. This year, Citadel received more than 2,300 nominations for more than 1,100 teachers.
EXTON – Citadel Credit Union is honoring teachers from across the region for going “above and beyond” in teaching. Twenty-one teachers from across the Greater Philadelphia region have been named as recipients of the 2021 Citadel Heart of Learning Award.
Three grand prize winners will be announced May 20 during a live Facebook event, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. More than 1,000 teachers were nominated this year – by their students, peers, parents and administrators and community members.
“Citadel is proud to build strength in education through the Citadel Heart of Learning Award program,” Mike Schnably, senior vice president, Citadel Credit Union, said in a press release. “For the past 20 years, we’ve been honored to recognize teachers’ tireless efforts; but this year was certainly unique. Seeing how our local educators have adapted throughout the pandemic just reaffirms how vital they are to the community.”
The Citadel Heart of Learning Award was established by Citadel and the Chester County Intermediate Unit in 2001, to recognize what Schnably calls “some of the most essential and hardworking members of our community – our teachers.” Since it started, the program has awarded more than $275,000 in teacher grants.
Initially established to recognize Chester County teachers, the program was expanded to include winners from Bucks, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
In addition, to continue to expand the program and recognize more teachers, Citadel added the Traci Watson Heart Award this year, created in memory of one of Citadel’s colleagues who played an integral role each year in the Citadel Heart of Learning Award program. The award recognizes thoughtful creativity, inspiring good nature, and dedication to one’s craft.
Each of the 21 teachers receive a glass heart award, $500 to spend in their classrooms, and will be honored at Citadel’s live Facebook ceremony May 20. Each of the grand prize winners will receive an additional $1,500 and a colorful Grand Prize glass heart.
The Chester County district winners include one winner from each school district, as well as a non-publish school winner and Chester County Intermediate Unit winner:
Avon Grove: Stephanie Shrake, Avon Grove High School
Coatesville: Breanna Kriston, East Fallowfield Elementary School
Downingtown: Kathleen Cool, Uwchlan Hills Elementary School
Great Valley: Amy Hober, K.D. Markley Elementary School
Kennett Consolidated: Dian McKinney, Kennett Middle School
Octorara: Robin Lewis, Octorara Intermediate School
Owen J. Roberts: Lisa Cunningham, East Vincent Elementary School
Oxford: Nicole Wiltrout, Oxford Area High School
Phoenixville: Michelle Sinnamon, Manavon Elementary School
Tredyffrin-Easttown: Allegra Dotson, New Eagle Elementary School
Twin Valley: Elizabeth Techman, Twin Valley Elementary School
Unionville: Lauren Owsley,Charles F. Patton Middle School
West Chester: Frank Nefos, Fuggett Middle School
Non-Public School: Jane Brennan, St. Joseph Elementary
CCIU: Jessica Jakatt, Chester County Learning Center
The county winners include:
Montgomery County: William Norman, Norristown Area High School
Delaware County: Andrea Brown, Ridley High School
Lancaster County: Jerry Guttman, Manheim Township High School
Philadelphia County: Jamie Johnson, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia School Program
Bucks County: Elizabeth Baker, Maple Point Middle School
The inaugural Traci Watson Heart Award was presented to Eli Andrus, Beaver Creek Elementary School Art Teacher.
For more information or to register for the live Facebook event. visit //www.facebook.com/events/293277909071415/
To see the full list of nominees and to learn more, visit CitadelHeartofLearning.com