The School District of Lancaster proudly joined educators, administrators, and community partners from across Lancaster and Lebanon Counties for the Lancaster County STEM Alliance’s inaugural Excellence in Education Awards Ceremony, held Friday, November 7 at Millersville University’s Biemesderfer Hall.
Hosted in partnership with Millersville University and The Steinman Foundation, the celebration recognized educators and pre-service teachers who bring creativity, innovation, and purpose to their classrooms. The evening featured a keynote by Alessandra Landini of Reggio Emilia, Italy, a global leader in connecting students to real-world learning, followed by a MAKE/FILMS video premiere and a ceremony honoring outstanding educators across five categories.
Among this year’s honorees, McCaskey High School’s Dr. Todd Mealy was awarded the Community Connector Award, recognizing his transformative work linking classroom learning to civic engagement.
Dr. Mealy, who teaches social studies and leads McCaskey’s AP African American Studies course, has reshaped how students experience history. Through his leadership of the Lancaster Witness Stones Project, students research and memorialize the lives of enslaved and formerly enslaved individuals in Lancaster County, connecting their findings to larger conversations about justice and identity. His teaching blends scholarship, storytelling, and community partnership, turning historical study into action.
Superintendent Dr. Keith Miles shared, “Dr. Mealy represents the very best in education, bringing creative and innovative historical icons into the classroom, empowering McCaskey students to connect deeply with history, and transforming learning. Through his tireless work, like his AP African American Studies course and the Lancaster Witness Stones Project, he’s empowering students not just to study history, but to make it.”
In addition to Dr. Mealy’s recognition, several McCaskey educators were nominated across award categories, reflecting the extraordinary breadth of talent and innovation within the district:
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Ms. Colette Stephens, nominated for the Innovative Instruction Award, redefines performance-based learning through her leadership of the McCaskey Orchestra and Voices of Freedom Ensemble. Her productions weave together music, storytelling, and cultural identity, transforming concerts into lessons in empathy and social awareness.
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Mr. Brandon Bixler, nominated for the Excellence in Project-Based Learning Award, leads McCaskey’s Agricultural and Environmental Science program and founded the city’s first Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter. His hands-on approach connects students to sustainability, urban agriculture, and civic responsibility through projects that feed both minds and communities.]
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Mr. Carlos Cruz, nominated for the Innovative Instruction Award, integrates science, art, and technology in ways that bring biology to life. His students use drones, AI tools, and claymation to explore complex scientific ideas, while his role as a Welcoming Schools Ambassador ensures that every learner feels valued and seen.
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Ms. Jen Johnson, nominated for the Exemplary Mentor Teacher Award, leads McCaskey’s Early Childhood Education program and co-founded the district’s Educators Rising chapter. Her students engage in real-world teaching simulations and field experiences that mirror collegiate-level training, preparing the next generation of educators.
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Ms. Amanda Funk, also nominated for the Exemplary Mentor Teacher Award, strengthens the district’s educator pipeline through a partnership with Millersville University, where students earn early-college credits and experience the teaching profession firsthand. Her work ensures that McCaskey students see themselves as the future of education in Pennsylvania.
These educators exemplify SDoL’s commitment to innovative teaching that connects learning to life. Their classrooms are places where students question, create, and contribute, spaces where education becomes not only a path forward but a force for community transformation.
As Dr. Miles reflected, “When we invest in educators who innovate, who collaborate, and who care deeply about students, we shape not only classrooms but entire communities.”
Congratulations to Dr. Todd Mealy, our Community Connector Award recipient, and to Ms. Stephens, Mr. Bixler, Mr. Cruz, Ms. Johnson, and Ms. Funk for their outstanding nominations. You represent the creativity, excellence, and heart that define the School District of Lancaster.