Great Valley Teacher Wins 'Heart of Learning' Award

teacher Bernie Secrist was announced as a winner of the Citadel Heart of Learning Award at a banquet Tuesday night at the . The award comes with $1,500 for classroom use, on top of the $500 that all finalists received.

In April, 15 Chester County teachers including Secrist were named as finalists for the award. At the banquet, one winner was announced in each of three categories. Secrist won the middle school award, Kelly Colquitt Downingtown Area School District won for elementary school and Delbert Ferster of Owen J. Roberts won the high school award.

Secrist was nominated by multiple people, including superintendent Alan Lonoconus. A press release from the school district has reaction from another district employee:

“Bernie is very dedicated to her students,” said Great Valley’s Director of Special Education Danielle Schoeninger who was present at the awards banquet. “She gives all students a chance to experience success in a positive, nurturing way. Bernie is also very supportive of her colleagues, and has helped all of us learn how to be better teachers.”

Read the previous Malvern Patch story to see that she was a finalist before the entire middle school, and find out why she has moved 21 times in her career.