TESD Teacher Named Heart Of Teaching Award Finalist

TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP, PA — A Tredyffrin/Easttown School district teacher has been named finalists for a Chester County teaching award.

Tredyffrin/Easttown Middle School teacher Jennifer Tyrell was selected as the Citadel Heart of Learning Award Finalist for the T/E School District.

She is among 15 finalists chosen from more than 1,200 teachers nominations for the award. Forty-nine teachers in the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District were nominated.

Each of the 15 finalists receives $500 to use in his or her classroom.

Tyrell got the news during a virtual faculty meeting, where everyone knew but her. Principal Dr. Andy Phillips and his team shared the news along with congratulatory videos provided by current and former students and colleagues.

Tyrell — an eighth grade math teacher — has been teaching in the T/E School District for 25 years and supports T/E students in many roles

"I have always believed that my job is so much more than teaching math," Tyrell said. "I believe that my job as a teacher is to help our students to be good people who work hard, have integrity and compassion for others."

The Citadel Heart of Learning Program was developed by Citadel and the CCIU in 2001 to recognize, reward and thank outstanding teachers in Chester County. Citadel receives thousands of nominations every year for more than 1,200 teachers.

The 15 finalists, one from each district in Chester County, in addition to a CCIU teacher and a non-public school teacher, were recognized at a virtual awards banquet on May 19, 2020.

"All of TEMS knows Mrs. Tyrell due to her tireless efforts to make our school a wonderful place," Phillips said. "Along with our Student Council, she organizes the 5/6 mixer, school dances, Pink Day, the Magazine Drive, the Canned Food Drive, Student Government Elections, Battle of the Bulldogs, and many other important school activities. Oh, and she is also an incredible math teacher! She has been an inspiration to students for many years and is a beloved friend and colleague to the TEMS family."