Citadel has announced the 2016 Citadel Heart of Learning Award winners. Each winner was awarded $1,500 to use for classroom supplies and other instructional resources.

The award was developed by Citadel and the Chester County Intermediate Unit in 2001 to recognize, reward and thank teachers in Chester County. This year,Citadel received more than 2,700 entries for more than 1,200 teachers.

Elementary School Category:

Elizabeth Houseman
Phoenixville Area School District
Houseman is a second grade teacher at East Pikeland Elementary School, with more than 11 years of experience. She has been inspired by the dedication and example of teachers throughout her own educational experience and focuses on connecting with each child as a unique person, so as to reach each child as a learner.

An excerpt from one nomination reads: “Mrs. Houseman instills in each of her students a relentless curiosity for learning and makes learning interesting and fun. … Discovering new ideas, trying different tactics to solve challenges, being unafraid to make mistakes – these are life skills for learning that she is teaching her students. She clearly cares deeply for each of her students, and they, in turn, respect and trust her.”

Middle School Category:

Carol A. Wiegner

Oxford Area School District
Wiegner teaches seventh grade language arts at Penn’s Grove Middle School, where she has taught for more than 15 years. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, she is a member of the school’s Core Data Team, which develops strategies for meeting the academic needs of Penn’s Grove students.

One nomination describes Wiegner as “one of those teachers you never forget. She is a classic example of what every teacher should strive to be” because of her “belief in her students, willingness to take the time to get to know them individually, regular communications with parents and guardians, and diligent efforts to ensure students understand the concepts, assignments and expectations. … Just so many little things that work together to reinforce there are teachers who truly do care about their students and not just the grades they make.”

High School Category:

Andrew Wagner
Chester County Intermediate Unit
Andrew Wagner is a social studies and English teacher for the CCIU’s Brandywine Virtual Academy, and has served in multiple traditional and alternative education roles during his ten years of teaching.

An excerpt from one nomination reads, “Mr. Wagner is always upbeat, motivating, enthusiastic, funny, and easy to work with. He and his students seem to develop an immediate rapport with one another…. He always strives to enhance collaboration, teaching and learning, student engagement and to inspire others to do their best. He engages students and colleagues, and creates history in his own little corner of the world.”

For more information on the Citadel Heart of Learning Awards, visit Citadelbanking.com/chola, and Facebook.com/CitadelHeartofLearning.
Slug: Heart of Learning winners

Photo:

Heart of Learning awards

Caption:

From left: Elizabeth Houseman, Carol A. Wiegner, and Andrew Wagner.