Conshohocken Elementary School presents author Hallee Adelman with the Friend of Education Award

Conshohocken Elementary School honored author Hallee Adelman as the 2025 Friend of Education during a special celebration held Nov. 24.

Students, faculty, staff, and Dr. Adelman’s family surprised her with the honor during an assembly held in the gym, and thanked her for her generosity toward the school. The Friend of Education Award is given out annually at the conclusion of American Education Week as a way to honor the people who support the school and its students. Over the years, Dr. Adelman has donated books to students, engaged them in an annual Book Song Challenge contest, and been a guest reader in many classrooms.  

Lisa Watkins, first grade teacher and leader for the Friend of Education committee, helped introduce Dr. Adelman at the assembly, and talked about the reason for her selection.

“This year we feel like it’s important to honor someone who thinks of children and the feelings they may have to battle against as they grow up,” said Mrs. Watkins. “The feelings battle isn’t always easy. Hallee Adelman’s books have given children a way to properly process their feelings and eventually come to terms or understand them.”

Dr. Adelman’s “Way Past” books have long been a part of Conshohocken Elementary class libraries and have also been used by Counselor Elyse Nevins when she teaches students strategies for identifying and regulating their emotions. Each book focuses on a different emotion that a child might experience, reinforcing that it’s normal to have such feelings while also providing guidance on how to process those emotions in a positive way.

To honor Dr. Adelman’s contributions to literacy and student well-being, the students brought in spare change during American Education Week. They collected $743 and will donate that money to Tree House Books, a giving library and literacy center in Philadelphia that Dr. Adelman supports.