Longtime Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) teacher Megan Carbonell was named the CCIU’s winner of the prestigious Citadel Heart of Learning Award on Tuesday, May 7 at Gordon Early Literacy Center. A preschool special education teacher, Carbonell was presented the award by CCIU Executive Director Dr. George F. Fiore and Citadel Credit Union representative Bethany Kuhn alongside some of her students at a surprise ceremony.

 

The Citadel Heart of Learning Award was developed 23 years ago through a partnership between the CCIU and Citadel Credit Union. The award recognizes outstanding teachers in Chester County and throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. Thousands of teachers are nominated for the award every year.

 

Carbonell was presented with a glass heart-shaped trophy and matching pin to commemorate the award.

 

“This is an incredible honor,” Carbonell said. “I never thought that I would get this award. I absolutely love what I do every day. I love my students. I love my families. I’m honored to be able to teach them. It takes a great amount of trust from parents to let us take care of their kids all day. Being acknowledged for that is humbling and special.”

 

Some of the sentiments included in Carbonell’s nomination from parents referred to her as “the most compassionate and dedicated teacher.” She was said to have “the perfect combination of structure, routine, and tough love.”

 

“Your nomination was incredible,” Fiore, who helped evaluate candidates for the award, said when announcing the honor to Carbonell. “The love that you have from parents, because of how you take care of their babies, is very clear. I’m so honored to have you represent the CCIU.”

 

Carbonell has been teaching at the CCIU for 19 years, but she originally thought she would take a different career path. She went to nursing school for three years until realizing she wanted to work with kids with special needs.

 

She’s come to love “jumpstarting” her students’ education and watching them grow into successful members of society. She said that her students have taught her “to be grateful for every gift I’ve been given.”

 

“I want to go above and beyond for all of my students,” said Carbonell. “I want them to feel like I care. Because I do. I want parents to feel like I have their child’s best interest in mind. I learn something from each child, and I take that with me and apply it to my next student.”

 

To learn more about the Citadel Heart of Learning Award, go to www.citadelbanking.com/giving-back/citadel-heart-of-learning.