EXTON, PA — Citadel Credit Union is accepting nominations through Jan. 15, 2027, for a regional teacher recognition program that will distribute $100,000 in personal awards and school grants to more than 35 educators across southeastern Pennsylvania.
The 2026-27 Citadel Heart of Learning Awards will recognize teachers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, along with neighboring communities, according to the Exton-based financial institution.
Students, parents, fellow educators, school administrators and community members can nominate teachers who have made significant contributions to student learning and their school communities.
The program provides monetary awards directly to teachers while also directing grant funding to their schools, extending its financial impact beyond individual recipients.
Since establishing the awards in 2000, Citadel has recognized more than 465 educators and distributed more than $700,000 to teachers and schools.
The latest $100,000 commitment continues the credit union’s annual recognition program, which has operated for more than 25 years.
“Some of the most meaningful moments in education happen quietly, when a teacher recognizes what a student needs and chooses to go the extra mile,” said Steve Miller, Citadel’s vice president of philanthropy and community engagement.
“We want students, families, colleagues, and community members to help us tell those stories and recognize the educators whose influence reaches far beyond the classroom.”
The awards recognize teachers whose work extends beyond routine classroom instruction, including efforts to support individual students, strengthen school communities and address educational needs.
Recipients from the previous award cycle included Kimberly McFadden, a science teacher at McCaskey High School in the School District of Lancaster, who received a 2025-26 Grand Prize Award.
“I love my job, and I love what I get to do every day. To be recognized for that is really, really meaningful, and I’m very thankful to my colleagues for nominating me,” McFadden stated.
Michael Andrews, a first-grade teacher at General George A. McCall School in Philadelphia, was also among the 2025-26 recipients.
“Teaching has become an unexpected passion and purpose that I have enthusiastically embraced,” Andrews stated.
For the current nomination period, Citadel is accepting submissions online at CitadelBanking.com/Nominate.
Nominations can describe how an educator has influenced students, contributed to a school’s educational environment or provided support during important moments in a student’s development.
The credit union is also encouraging video nominations through TikTok, Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #CitadelHeartofLearning.
Participants posting videos can tag @citadelcreditunion on TikTok or @CitadelBanking on Instagram and Facebook.
Participating Citadel branches will provide nomination stations, while posters and QR codes will be distributed at schools and branches throughout the region.
The nomination deadline is Jan. 15, 2027. Complete eligibility requirements and program guidelines are available at CitadelBanking.com/HeartOfLearning.
Award recipients will be recognized during surprise celebrations in spring 2027.
Each honoree will receive a personal monetary award, a grant for their school and a glass heart award commemorating the recognition.
The program provides an opportunity for Chester County residents and others across the six-county region to nominate educators for financial recognition while directing additional resources to participating schools.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.