Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a teacher for the IBX Honor Roll! We were overjoyed to receive thousands of heartfelt nominations for exceptional educators across our community. The nomination period has now closed.
The winning teachers received an on-field experience and recognition at a 2025 regular-season Phillies home game, a $500 Visa gift card, an IBX and Phillies’ swag bag, recognition on ballpark concourse signage and IBX social media, and a behind-the-scenes ballpark tour.
We are excited to introduce the winners of this year’s IBX Honor Roll. These teachers have demonstrated unwavering dedication to their students and community by fostering a love of learning in the classroom, actively participating in extracurricular activities, and positively impacting their students’ social and emotional well-being.
Fountain Woods Elementary
GRADES: 2nd – 5th
SUBJECT: Gifted Education
YEARS TEACHING: 32
Favorite pastime: Exploring national parks, watching the Phillies, and visiting Disney World as often as possible with my family.
What do you love about teaching: There is nothing more powerful or more fun than creating a space where kids feel seen, heard, and valued. I get to witness magic every day when my students tackle challenges with curiosity, dream big, explore new ideas, and create meaningful work that reflects their learning. Being part of the magic is a gift that I never take for granted!
Read more about Stephanie here.
Rainbow Elementary
GRADES: Kindergarten
SUBJECT: Elementary Education
YEARS TEACHING: 29
Favorite pastime: Gardening, traveling, reading, cooking, and watching the Phillies!
What do you love about teaching: I love teaching children how to read! It is wonderful when they discover that books are a window to the world.
I also run an after-school garden club for students from Kindergarten through 5th grade. We use a hydroponic garden to grow 150 heads of lettuce at a time. I love teaching students about plant lifecycles and watching the lettuce grow from seed to salad.
Read more about Jennifer here.
Waldron Mercy Academy
GRADES: 7th and 8th
SUBJECT: Science
YEARS TEACHING: 38
Favorite pastime: Spending time with my family and friends and also traveling.
What do you love about teaching: I love the joy and enthusiasm that the students bring to class. As the year progresses, their confidence grows. The "aha" moments are priceless! When assigned a STEM project, students get inspired, creative, and competitive. They produce incredible work. I enjoy hearing about their progress when they come back to see me. It's very rewarding.
Read more about Samdai here.
Springfield High School
GRADES: 9th – 12th
SUBJECT: Life Skills
YEARS TEACHING: 12
Favorite pastime: Hanging with my three daughters and husband and coaching field hockey, bocce, and lacrosse.
What do you love about teaching: I love building connections with my students and watching them grow over the years. My students bring me joy every day. They are all so strong and resilient. I love getting the chance to show students what inclusion looks like and hope they can take that into the real world when they graduate.
Read more about Sarah here.
Pennsbury High School West
GRADES: 11th and 12th
SUBJECT: Family and Consumer Sciences
YEARS TEACHING: 13
Favorite pastime: Reading, listening to audiobooks, and finding local bookstores with my family.
What do you love about teaching: I love when my students follow up with me after they've left my class. Nothing makes me happier than when they ask for recommendation letters or interview and student-teaching advice. I always want them to know that I can be a resource for them beyond my classroom.
Read more about Allyssa here.
Stephen Decatur School
GRADES: 4th – 8th
SUBJECT: Digital Literacy and Technology
YEARS TEACHING: 16
Favorite pastime: Watching Philadelphia sports teams and spending time with family and friends.
What do you love about teaching: The excitement of students trying something for the first time. At my current school, students don't have a technology class until 4th grade. When they work on some of the coding, digital art, and Al activities, their faces glow, and their smiles are so rewarding!
Read more about Rick here.
