The Malvern School® Recognizes Best of the Best at 2019 Annual Awards

Leader in early childhood education honors top teachers, directors and schools across Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Glen Mills, PA – September 30, 2019 – A leader in the field of early childhood education – and the largest privately owned preschool in the region – The Malvern School honored outstanding educators and schools throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey at its 2019 Annual Awards Ceremony held Friday, September 27 at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern, PA.

“The Malvern School’s commitment to quality and excellence in everything we do is something you see in each and every member of our team at every single one of our 27 schools and our Executive Office,” says Kristen M. Waterfield, President and Co-Founder of The Malvern School. “From teaching and leadership … to curriculum and culture … to health and safety, philanthropy and more, our Annual Award winners raise the bar for all of us. They are a force that drives us forward as an organization, enable us to offer some of the most advanced early childhood education programs for young children and make our schools such a vital part of more than two dozen local communities.”  

Kerry Kauffman, 2019 Teacher of the Year and Kristen Waterfield, President and Co-Founder

Among the highlights of the program was the Teacher of the Year award, presented to Kerry Kauffman from The Malvern School of Oaks. Kerry is one of the lead preschool teachers and is a hardworking, key member of The Malvern School team. Her engaging teaching style and extremely well-run classroom are exemplary models for others to follow – attributes that were recognized when her room received the highest score during the school’s re-accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) earlier this year.

Rachel Siegfried, Assistant Teacher of the Year and Kristen Waterfield, President and Co-Founder

Assistant Teacher of the Year was awarded to Rachel Siegfried from The Malvern School of Upper Gwynedd. Part of the team for almost 10 years – nearly as long as the school has been open – Rachel continually exceeds expectations in the Infant classroom and across the school. Not only does she provide a warm, nurturing and engaging environment for some of the school’s youngest friends, she also supports new parents by sharing her own experience as both a mother and a teacher.

Katie LeVan, Director of Education of the Year and Kristen Waterfield, President and Co-Founder

Katie LeVan from The Malvern School of Warrington was named Director of Education of the Year, recognized for exemplifying the characteristics necessary to lead a quality early childhood education program and contributing to the overall success of the school and the organization as a whole.

Debbie Martin, Director of Operations, Angela Ludwig, Executive Director of the Year, and Kristen Waterfield, President and Co-Founder

Angela Ludwig from The Malvern School of Blue Bell took home the honor for Executive Director of the Year. Angela is a two-time winner of this award, having also been named Executive Director of the Year in 2015 during her tenure at The Malvern School of Oaks. Her dynamic leadership is evident in The Malvern School of Blue Bell being acknowledged with five additional awards this year, including Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Top Fundraiser, raising more than $20,000 to fight childhood cancer, and the Presidents’ Choice Award, personally selected Malvern School President and Co-Founder Kristen M. Waterfield.

The full list of The Malvern School Annual Award winners includes:

• Teacher of the Year – Kerry Kauffman, The Malvern School of Oaks (PA)
• Assistant Teacher of the Year – Rachel Siegfried, The Malvern School of Upper Gwynedd (PA)
• Director of Education of the Year – Katie LeVan, The Malvern School of Warrington (PA)
• Executive Director of the Year – Angela Ludwig, The Malvern School of Blue Bell (PA)
• Big Q (Quality Standards) – The Malvern School of Downingtown (PA) (second consecutive win in the category)
• Health and Safety Coordinator of the Year – Dave Dadich, The Malvern School of Richboro (PA)
• Curriculum Coordinator of the Year – Sharon Tatinov, The Malvern School of Medford (NJ)
• Health & Safety – The Malvern School of Richboro (PA) (fourth win in the category)
• Best Place to Work – The Malvern School of Downingtown (PA)
• Families First – The Malvern School of Richboro (PA), (second consecutive win in the category)
• 100% Club – The Malvern Schools of Glen Mills (PA) and Blue Bell (PA)
• Superior Achievement Program Assessment – The Malvern Schools of Frazer (PA), Erial (NJ), Richboro (PA), Downingtown (PA), Warrington (PA), Oaks (PA), Medford (NJ) and Blue Bell (PA)
• Superior Achievement Business Assessment – The Malvern Schools of Richboro (PA), Washington Township (NJ), Warrington (PA), Oaks (PA), Medford (NJ) and Blue Bell (PA)
• Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Top Fundraiser – The Malvern School of Blue Bell (PA)
• Platinum Performer – The Malvern School of Richboro (PA)
• Presidents’ Choice – The Malvern School of Blue Bell (PA)
• Rising Star – The Malvern School of Horsham (PA)
• Core Values – Maryann Hennelly, Executive Assistant, The Malvern School Executive Office

Learn more about The Malvern School and opportunities to join its Exceptional Team.

About The Malvern School
The Malvern School, founded in 1998, is a year-round private preschool for ages six weeks to eight years. The Malvern School believes in developing the whole child in a nurturing, yet engaging environment and offers an innovative curriculum that has raised the bar in early childhood education. Today, The Malvern School has 27 locations throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and Central and Southern New Jersey and is dedicated to providing curriculum that is designed to meet or exceed the highest standards established by the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s largest early childhood accrediting organization.