District Teacher Recipient of Citadel Heart of Learning Award

René Rodriguez accepts the 2008 Citadel Heart of Learning Award.

Surprised by the standing ovation from co-workers at Westtown-Thornbury Elementary School, teacher René Rodriguez accepted the 2008 Citadel Heart of Learning Award for our district from Citadel’s Michael Schnably, making him one of 15 selected finalists from across the county.

“This is always one of our favorite parts of the Citadel Heart of Learning Awards,” said Citadel Senior Vice President Michael Schnably. “We like to keep it a surprise for the winning teacher so when we go in to present, no one at the school really knows what’s happening. To see the surprise, joy, and utter disbelief in the faces of such self-less and deserving individuals touches your heart and simply endorses the importance of this award program...each and every time.”

Created by Citadel Federal Credit Union and the Chester County Intermediate Unit, the Heart of Learning award is awarded each year to teachers who go above and beyond to meet the needs of their students. In its seventh year, approximately 2,000 Chester County teachers were nominated for this year’s award, of which only 15 became finalists. One finalist was chosen from each of the 13 public school districts, the Chester County Intermediate Unit, and a non-public school. These finalists will be recognized at the Citadel Heart of Learning Awards banquet with a $500 award to be used in their classrooms. Out of the 15 finalists, three county teachers (one each from elementary, middle and high school) will be selected to receive an award of $1,500 each.

Raised in the borough of West Chester, Rodriguez is a product of the West Chester Area School District and West Chester University. He began his teaching career in 1987 at East Fallowfield Elementary in Coatesville. Returning to his roots in 1990, he is in his eighteenth year teaching fourth graders at Westtown-Thornbury Elementary. “It is an honor and quite humbling to be a Citadel Award winner being that there are so many truly amazing teachers in our district. It is my privilege to be their representative,” states Rodriguez.

 

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