Submitted by Neshaminy School District
Four Neshaminy teachers were honored at the June 10 School Board meeting. The annual Neshaminy Teacher Recognition Awards celebrate educators that stand out in four areas: Leadership, Innovation, Community Partnership and The Spirit of Neshaminy. The winners were chosen from nominations submitted by Neshaminy staff members. The awards were presented at the meeting by Dr. Michelle Burkholder, Director of Elementary Education, and Dr. Kate Hinshaw, Director of Secondary Education, Superintendent Jason Bowman and the building principal for each recipient's school.
"Each year we come together to celebrate the exceptional teachers within our district," said Dr. Burkholder. "Educators whose classrooms demonstrate excellence, leadership, innovation and community impact, not only within the classroom but also in the community."
The 2025 award winners are:
- Megan Cahill, second grade teacher, Albert Schweitzer Elementary School, Leadership Award: Principal Dr. Amy Orlando cited her active participation in building and district-level professional development, sharing resources and tools that she created with her colleagues, modeling teaching techniques for new and experienced teachers, her effective use of data-driven instruction to create small groups and differentiated instruction to help her students grow. She also cited the relationships that she builds with her students and their families.
- Kerry Hammon, science teacher, Neshaminy High School, Innovation Award: Principal Stephen Garstka said that Ms. Hammon is a dedicated science teacher who is always looking for ways to keep her students engaged. She attends professional conferences and leads development classes with her colleagues to share what she has learned. She has embraced the new Pennsylvania STEELS science standards, developing new educational materials and instructional strategies to engage students and improve student learning within the framework of the new standards.
- Kelly Alberts, special education / life skills teacher, Carl Sandburg Middle School, Community Partnership Award: Principal Derek Albarran said that Ms. Alberts has mastered the art of helping her students thrive both inside and outside of the classroom. She actively involves her students in serving and connecting with the greater Neshaminy community through such projects as preparing meals for the homeless in cooperation with Neshaminy retirees and organizes a fundraiser supporting the Women's Humane Society by making and selling home-made dog treats. She connects families with essential services, volunteers with the Shop with a Cop program, brings her students to monthly life skills dances and coaches the Special Olympics track team. She sponsors Sandburg's Buddy Club, which brings students of all abilities together for fun activities and friendships.
- McKenna Mullin, special education teacher, Neshaminy High School, Spirit of Neshaminy Award: Principal Stephen Garstka said that Ms. Mullin is dedicated to providing the most challenged students the opportunity to be like every other student in the building, while providing opportunities to build life skills. She embodies the values of compassion, dedication and leadership that define the Neshaminy community. She is the founder and leader of the Neshaminy Unified Track Team, creating a space where athletes of varying abilities can train, compete and grow together as equals. The program has flourished and spread to the district's middle schools, promoting the values of empathy, inclusion and teamwork from an early age.
