September 25, 2024

Delaware Teacher of the Year to be named in October

Twenty of the state’s top teachers will be honored at a celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 15, when one of them also will be named Delaware’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

The candidates were nominated by their districts or the Delaware Charter Network during the 2024 calendar year because of their superior ability to inspire students with a love of learning, exemplary demonstration of professional traits and strong sense of dedication and devotion to teaching.

Each nominee submitted a detailed application exemplifying his or her teaching philosophy. Five Delaware Department of Education staff members and five former state teachers of the year independently evaluate each application. A former state teacher of the year and department staff member observe each candidate in the classroom. Taking into consideration the scores from the application review and observations as well as a recorded presentation by the nominees, another independent panel of non-department judges then recommends to the Secretary of Education the one teacher who will serve as the 2025 Delaware Teacher of the Year.

The teacher chosen to become the State Teacher of the Year will become Delaware’s nominee in the national program, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers in partnership with the Voya Foundation.

Two Delaware schools named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools

Cedar Lane Elementary (left) and Welch Elementary (right) are among this year's National Blue Ribbon Schools. 

The U.S. Department of Education today recognized 356 schools as the 2024 cohort of the National Blue Ribbon Schools, including two schools in Delaware. This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.

The Delaware schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools were:

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”

The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools reflect the full diversity of American education and serve students from all backgrounds. While awardees represent a wide array of schools, they share common traits. National Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success.

A National Blue Ribbon School award flag displayed in a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized emblem of exceptional teaching and learning. These schools serve as models of effective and innovative practices for educators across the nation.

Migrant students complete another successful summer session

Students attending Delaware's migrant summer school participate in educational and emotional support experiences (more pics).

Delaware’s Title I-C Migrant Education Program (MEP) wrapped up another successful summer school program, running for seven weeks from June to August. The federally funded program provides crucial educational and support services to children of seasonal agricultural workers who migrate to Delaware. These students face unique challenges in their education due to frequent family moves, and the MEP aims to help them overcome these obstacles.

Serving over 100 students from grades K-12 across Kent and Sussex counties, the program took place at two locations: the Milford Boys & Girls Club and the Western Sussex Boys & Girls Club. The summer school offered a blend of academic instruction and enrichment activities, operating five days a week, with free meals, snacks, and transportation provided daily.

This year’s program kicked off with a family enrichment conference held at Delaware Technical Community College’s Owens Campus. Keynote speaker Javier Acuna, who immigrated from Colombia in 1999, inspired attendees by sharing his journey of overcoming adversity to pursue education and entrepreneurship. Over 50 migrant families participated in the event, attending workshops and visiting informational booths hosted by local community programs. Interpretation services, transportation, and meals were provided by the MEP.

Throughout the summer, students engaged in a wide range of activities, including daily instruction in math and reading, swimming, and other extracurricular pursuits. The program uses the I-Ready Curriculum and Assessment to track students' academic progress, with pre- and post-assessments given to measure their growth. Parents were encouraged to participate in their children’s learning experience, with family events held throughout the program.

In a continued effort to expand opportunities for migrant students, MEP partnered with Salisbury University for the third year to host a five-day STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) camp. Students participated in hands-on projects, giving them exposure to college-level education and experiences that will help them build essential skills for their academic and professional futures.

MEP’s summer school program plays a vital role in helping migrant students succeed academically despite the unique challenges they face. With initiatives like the STEAM camp and partnerships with institutions like Salisbury University, the program provides critical support to ensure migrant students in Delaware have the tools they need to thrive and graduate from high school.

Looking ahead, MEP remains dedicated to continuing its mission of offering educational support to migrant families, ensuring that every child receives the assistance they need to overcome barriers and succeed in school.

Five more schools have earned Delaware's Sapphire Award for Excellence in School Counseling. The 2024-2025 Sapphire Award schools are: Lake Forest Central Elementary (Lake Forest); Milton Elementary (Cape Henlopen); Anna P. Mote Elementary (Red Clay Consolidated); POLYTECH High School (POLYTECH); and Sarah Pyle Academy (Christina). 

This state recognition, celebrating its 5th year, recognizes school counseling programs that are comprehensive, data-informed and designed to serve all students.

“These schools have shown their commitment to students by providing high-quality school counseling services,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said, noting each program uses a combination of classroom lessons, small group counseling and individual counseling to support the success of its students.

The schools design programming to meet the specific needs of their students.

Mindy Adams, school counselor at Milton Elementary and the Delaware School Counselor Association's current school counselor of the year, is committed to forming relationships with her students, families, staff and community.  Her students benefit from her use of data and implementation of early interventions for students focused on their attendance, behaviors and academics. Her students are the winners because of her outstanding efforts.  

School counselors, Angela Johnson and Kristin Nye, from Anna P. Mote Elementary, analyzed their data and recognized the need for early intervention for students with chronic unexcused absences. One of their interventions included a breakfast club consisting of daily check ins with the counselors, mindfulness activities, problem solving, and planning for a positive day. Post-intervention data showed their efforts positively impacted those frequently absent students.

Lake Forest Central's school counselors, Thomas Garrett and Jenny Satterfield, strive to create a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where all students can feel empowered to learn.  Their program provides access to a diverse range of learning opportunities fostering self-discipline, motivation, encouraging lifelong learning where all students feel prepared for the future.   

POLYTECH's team of counselors recognize the important correlation between earning credits and success in high school. School counselors – David Eilers, Krissy Hall, Aaron Kellam, Takara Kellam, and Sean Kenney -- work with their 9th graders on organizational skills, motivation, and future planning to help them develop habits that will contribute to their success. Their intentional interventions lead to an increase in the total number of credits the freshman earned this past year compared to previous years.

Finally, school counselors, Amanda Applegate and Laura Malmstrom from Sarah Pyle Academy capitalize on the uniqueness of their program to provide targeted supports to their students. Sarah Pyle Academy students use their Personalized Learning Plan system to monitor their progress towards graduation. The school counselors work with the students both individually and in the classroom to ensure they not only know how to use the system, but that they also regularly reflect on their progress and write about it. Their interventions have increased student success, and the counselors are now working on a plan to utilize this same type of structure to help students review and reflect on their attendance as well.

DIAA announces Dale Farmer sportsmanship awards

Thirteen (13) Delaware schools are being honored for sportsmanship by the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA).  The Dale Farmer State Champions in Sportsmanship Award is presented annually to schools that have demonstrated a strong school community commitment to the educational nature of interscholastic athletics.

The 2023-24 Dale Farmer award is being awarded to the following schools:

*The number listed beside each school denotes the total number of times the school has won the award

“Sportsmanship is the cornerstone of athletics. The DIAA lives by the moto of “Education through Athletics” each and every day. The Dale Farmer award recognizes those member schools who embrace the DIAA philosophy and incorporate “Education through Athletics” throughout their athletic programs.  I am pleased to recognize those educational institutions that embrace and teach sportsmanship,” said DIAA Executive Director David Baylor. 

Delaware Department of Education I education.delaware.gov