Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Laurel Faculty and Staff Award Winners

The Virginia Beidler Neff ’29 Award was established to recognize teachers within their first three years of teaching at Laurel who demonstrate excellence and potential in the classroom. This year there are two recipients. Eugene Sumlin, Middle and Upper School Performing Arts Teacher and Theatre Director, and Dr. Keoni Castellano, Upper School Math Teacher.

The Mary French Conway '46 Endowment for Teaching Excellence Award recognizes excellence in teaching, both in the classroom and in a demonstration of commitment to the School through participation in non-classroom activities with students. This year's recipient is Fourth Grade teacher Lindsay Penkala.

The Hostetler Chair is the first endowed chair established at a girls’ school in the country and made possible by a transformative gift from Hazel Prior Hostetler ’11. It recognizes master teachers who have generally taught for at least 10 years and have demonstrated excellence in classroom teaching as well as an unusual ability to communicate with students. Kindergarten Teacher Kelli Thomas is this year’s recipient. 

The Innovative Teaching Award is an endowment created on the occasion of the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1964 to award excellence in teaching. The award is given annually to a Laurel teacher or team of teachers to encourage and promote outstanding classroom innovation, leading to new or improved curriculum and/or programs that impact the education and lives of Laurel girls. The Class seeks to award the implementation of creative, mission-driven teaching ideas that will help Laurel girls find their voices and excel in the world. Mindy Byrnes, Director of STEAM Education and K-5 STEAM teacher, is this year’s awardee.

Claudia Lief Zalevsky ’98, Donor and Alumnae Engagement Manager, is the recipient of this year's Staff Above and Beyond Award, established in 2021 in honor of staff members in our community who routinely go above and beyond in a variety of ways that benefit the school and our community.