Citadel has announced the finalists for the 2016 Citadel Heart of Learning Award for Chester County’s best and brightest teachers.  Each of the fifteen finalists will be awarded $500 which they can use for supplies or other items for the classroom. 

Three overall winners, one for high, middle, and elementary schools, will be decided this evening at the Citadel Heart of Learning Award Banquet at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern. The overall winners will receive an additional $1,500 they can use for their classrooms.

The award launched in 2001 by Citadel and the Chester County Intermediate Unit to recognize, reward and thank the exceptional teachers in Chester County. The award also aims to bring attention to the positive impact their work and dedication have on both the students and the wider community. This year Citadel received more than 2,700 entries for over 1,200 teachers.

The fifteen finalists heading to the final round were chosen by a Selection Committee of prominent community members.

The finalists selected for the high school award are Andy Wagner from Brandywine Virtual Academy, Josef Schneider from Collegium Charter School, Jennifer Watson from Octorara Senior High School, Natalie Smith from Owen J. Roberts High School, and Jennifer Gallagher from B. Reed Henderson High School.

For middle schools, the nominees are Jill Benjamin from Avon Grove Intermediate School, Sean Noonan from Scott Middle School, and Carol Wiegner from Penn’s Grove Middle School.

For the elementary schools, the finalists are Dottie Graham from Bradford Heights Elementary School, Christopher Vogt from Charlestown Elementary School, Christopher Braunstein from Greenwood Elementary School, Elizabeth Houseman from East Pikeland Elementary School, Sara Scargill from Devon Elementary School, Peg Dombach from Twin Valley Elementary Center, and George Claypoole from Hillendale Elementary School.

Check out previous VISTA Today coverage of Citadel here.