July 10, 2025

Teachers never get the credit they deserve for their dedication to shaping young minds and preparing them for the future. The School of Education’s Lisa and John McNichol Early Childhood Education Lab understands the hard work that teachers do and honors them each year with the Penny Hammrich SEL Excellence Award. More than 20 teachers from across Pennsylvania traveled to Drexel to receive awards in categories such as, “Honorable Recognition,” Excellence in Education,” and “Outstanding Impact.”

The award ceremony recognized the teachers for their efforts in amplifying social-emotional learning and character education within early childhood education settings (up to 3rd grade). Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a process that teaches valuable skills like managing emotions and making responsible decisions. Learning SEL skills early pays off in later grades through improved academic performance, fewer disciplinary issues and better citizenship.

Awardees received a Social Emotional Learning Award Certificate that they can include on their resume, a small monetary award, and an invitation to become members of the McNichol ECE lab where they can receive additional teaching resources and participate in ongoing research in early childhood education.

Based on nominations received by the awards committee, winners were identified in three categories this year:

Outstanding Impact

Samantha Bennish

Preschool Teacher, Steeple Kids Child Care

Lisa Colpetzer

Lead Pre-K Teacher, State College KinderCare Learning Center

Sade Cruz
Lead Pre-K Teacher, Memas Early Learning Center

Emily Grey

Intermediate Teacher, Chesterbrook Academy

Khileedah Mitchell

Pre-school teacher, The Goddard School of Wayne, PA

Donyia Precia

Family Engagement Coordinator/Infant toddler Teacher, Penrose Academy

Renita Richardson

Pre-K counts Teacher, We Care Learning and Development Center

Courtney Witkowski

Lead Teacher of our Preschool classroom, Kiddie Academy of Plumsteadville

Toni Mitchell

Pre-K Teacher, Sunflower Childcare Center

Excellence in Education

Chudney Davis

Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher, Early Foundations Learning Academy- Medary Campus

Alexandra DeCiccio

Pre-K Lead teacher, Soans Christian Academy

Rafaelina Delgado

Maestra/ Toddlers, Rising stars Family Daycare

Amy McGowan

Teacher-Grade 1, Powel Elementary School

Curtis McMillian

Infants-Grade 4, McMillan’s Christian Family

Jenny Osterweil

Group Supervisor, Lead Teacher, Young Toddlers, Honeyland Child Care Center

Ashley Robertson

Pre-K Lead Teacher, Y2Kids Child Care Center

Cordella Young

Group supervisor for the 4–5-year-olds classroom, Friends Child Care Center

Honorable Recognition

Sandi Aldana

Toddlers & Infants, Brightside Academy

Jennifer Fox

Kindergarten- 4th grade, School District of Philadelphia

Maria Gonzalez

Assistant Teacher Infant, Little Blessing from Heaven

Morgan- Lynn Gronkowski

Pre-K Teacher, Little Wiggles and Giggles Learning Center

Emily Crystal Hernandez

Lead Toddler Teacher, Little Blessings from Heaven

Madison Kelly

Lead Young Toddler Teacher, Rose Garden Preparatory Day School

Cynthia Rios

Lead Toddler Teacher, Little Blessings from Heaven

Alexandra Rodriguez

Lead Teacher, Infants, Little Blessings from Heaven

Sara Whitesell

Lead Pre-K Teacher, Magic World Child Care Center

To learn more about the awards program, or to nominate a teacher for next year, visit: https://drexel.edu/soe/research/labs/mcnichol-lab/current-activities/teacher-recognition/