April 30, 2025

Governor Meyer delivers State of the State address

Governor Matt Meyer delivered his first State of the State address this month before a joint session of the 153rd General Assembly, laying out a bold and optimistic vision for Delaware’s future. In his address, Governor Meyer called for decisive action on key priorities including education reform, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, workforce development, and efficient government operations.

Investing in Classrooms:

Reaffirming a commitment to public education, Governor Meyer noted investments in early literacy, educator pay, and getting cell phones out of schools. He highlighted a $6 million initiative to invest directly into classrooms and emphasized the importance of expanding access to affordable child care. He also called on the legislature to pass a holistic funding reform framework by the summer.

Throughout the speech, Governor Meyer urged lawmakers to collaborate and act urgently to deliver meaningful results for Delawareans. In closing his remarks, Governor Meyer was clear that the path forward for Delaware involves unity, courage, and optimism:

“In this time of tremendous challenge and division across our nation, I believe there is tremendous opportunity for Delaware. Everywhere I go, I hear the same things. People don’t want handouts – they just want a fair shot…We have the chance to evolve. To innovate. To rethink and reimagine old systems. To take steps and introduce programs that genuinely lead the nation……Together, we will restore your faith in Delaware’s ability to make big things happen. Because our state is hopeful, our state is fearless, and the state of our state is strong! We are ready to meet this moment and prove to the world that Delaware does deliver.” 

Students Named 2025 Secretary of Education Scholars

Check out this video showcasing the students and their self-reflections.

Secretary of Education Cindy Marten has recognized 96 public school students from the Class of 2025 as Secretary of Education Scholars.

Gov. Matt Meyer and other state leaders joined Marten last night to celebrate the students during a dinner in Dover.

“These students are leaders in and out of the classroom,” Marten said. “They are excelling — often in college-level courses — while leading school clubs, musical ensembles, sports teams and community service projects. They balance their studies while working part-time and volunteering in their communities. I was inspired by each and every one of them last night. I especially loved hearing their self-reflections on what inspired their success, which often pointed to the family members, educators and peers who supported them.”

The scholars also are being recognized on a website to showcase their outstanding achievements. The website includes photographs, principal nomination statements and student narrative statements as submitted by the students.

The state has named Secretary of Education Scholars every year since 1984. The number of scholars from each school is based on enrollment. Principals nominate the students based on their academic records, school leadership and community service.

Delaware is proud to celebrate Shelby Borst, the 2025 Delaware Teacher of the Year and a high school social studies teacher at William Penn High School in the Colonial School District. Borst was nominated by her students — a recognition she calls one of the greatest honors of her career.

In the video, she discuss how educators have the power and responsibility to open doors, amplify student voices, and make schools places where every student feels seen, heard, and supported.

Now in her eighth year of teaching, Borst has spent nearly a decade centering student voice in her classroom. She is committed to building inclusive learning environments, especially for students from marginalized and historically underserved communities.

“It’s not about doing things for students,” Borst says. “It’s about being with them — walking beside them and advocating alongside them.”

Help us show appreciation for Delaware's great teachers

National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5 to 9 this year. Help us show appreciation for the great teachers in your lives by sending shoutouts to School.Appreciation@doe.k12.de.us. Include:

Shoutouts will be shared using the hashtag #IloveDEteachers on Facebook (@DEDeptEducation), X (formerly Twitter @DEDeptofEd) and Instagram (@DEDeptEducation). If you post any teacher tributes, please remember to use the hashtag and also tag DDOE.

Thank you again for your shoutouts to Delaware teachers!

Delaware students awarded full-ride memorial scholarships

Memorial scholarship awardees Jian Edzy Perez from Laurel School District (left) and Jordan Davis of Capital School District (right). 

Congratulations to this year's memorial scholarship awardees! Memorial scholarships are competitive scholarships awarded by DDOE to students for their academic performance, participation in school activities and service to the community.

Students may apply for Delaware memorial scholarships in their senior year of high school. Awards are renewable and provide full tuition, fees, room, board, and books at the public colleges in Delaware.

Jian Edzy Perez of Laurel High School in the Laurel School District has been named the recipient of the 2025-2026 B. Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship, which is given in honor of the former Speaker of the State House of Representatives. Jian will receive a full-ride scholarship to the University of Delaware, covering tuition, fees, room, board, and books for up to four years of undergraduate study. Jian is a first-generation college student who plans to major in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering.

Jordan Davis of Dover High School in the Capital School District has been named the recipient of the 2025-2026 Herman M. Holloway, Sr. Memorial Scholarship, which honors the first African-American State Senator in Delaware. Jordan will receive a full-ride scholarship to Delaware State University, covering tuition, fees, room, board, and books for up to four years of undergraduate study. Jordan plans to major in accounting. 

The Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship, in honor of the former Speaker of the State House of Representatives, is an annual $1,250 merit scholarship acknowledging outstanding academic achievement. This year, the scholarship has been awarded to 40 students. Recipients will be attending full-time undergraduate studies at both in-state and out-of-state schools. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years.

Delaware Department of Education I education.delaware.gov