Kelli Kahn, a first-grade teacher at Pocopson Elementary School, has been named as one of five finalists for the 2015 Citadel Heart of Learning Award for Elementary School Teacher Excellence. 

Kahn was one of 15 finalists, and was selected from the almost 2,700 nominations received for the award this year. Her award was announced by the school district on March 26.

The Citadel Heart of Learning Award program was created by Citadel and the Chester County Intermediate Unit to recognize excellent teachers throughout the county.

Kahn teaches first grade at Pocopson Elementary.  Principal Andrew McLaughlin said, “Kelli is a dedicated teacher that makes learning fun for her students. She has built a learning environment that is full of energy, accepting of all personalities yet rich academically. She makes every one of her students feel special and provides them with a learning experience that they never forget.”

At an awards ceremony held for Kahn last week at Pocopson Elementary, one of her coworkers, Dave Lichter, said, “Kelli is a true gift to our district and the teaching profession, with all of her enthusiasm, energy, and empathy towards the students who are so lucky to have her for a teacher."

On May 5, Kahn will join finalists from all school districts in Chester County at the award banquet  for the final awards, where she will receive a $500 award that can be used in her classroom.

Sixty-five Unionville-Chadds Ford School District teachers were nominated for the Citadel honor this year:

Joseph Ahart, Scott Anderson, Michael Audevard, Christine Bailey, Betsy Ballard, Katherine Bodenstab, Robyn Brazill, Kevin Brode, Stephanie Brown, Clee Brun,  Christine Bunting, Buddy Burgess, Kelly Cicchino, Cathy Cipollini, Jennifer Clark, George Claypoole, Debbie Collins, Lori Collins, Emilie Conover, Jay Cranston, Kevin Crossman, George Crowley, Charlotte DeNenno, Faith Dilworth, Lisa Dougherty, Susan Feinstein, Jessica Gallagher, Marisa Gheris, Catherine Gillespie, Sally Greenwood, Erin Grubb, Ellie Hayes, Christine Ilgenfritz, Kelli Kahn, Michelle Lafferty, Farah Lawrence,  Veronique Liska, Jerry Little, Karin Little, Sandi Litvin, Charles Manning, Vanessa Marchetto, Kathryn Markloff,  Rachel Marquette, Fran Mulhern, Perk Musacchio, Cheryl Nelson, Kathy Newell, Dawn Oldenski, James O’Rourke, Todd Picard, Labrae Rafferty, Patrick Ricci, Chrissie Rissmiller, Amanda Ruch, Judy Small, Kristie Spina,  Jenny Steinen, Ryan Stephens, Joseph Sudimak, John Walsh, Heather Wanner, Kathy Whitman, Angela Wilbanks and Barbara Williamson.