May 28, 2025

Red Clay social worker named 2025 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year

Jaclyn Durant, a school social worker from the Red Clay Consolidated School District, is the state’s 2025 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.

Governor Matt Meyer and Secretary of Education Cindy Marten made the announcement at a statewide banquet honoring the district and charter network behavioral health professionals of the year.

The Richey Elementary school social worker said her goal always is to support the whole child – addressing both emotional and practical needs – so the child can thrive not only academically but socially and emotionally as well.

“I approach my work through a trauma-informed, relationship-based lens, integrating nervous system regulation strategies into the supports I provide,” Durant said.

What those supports looks like differs depending on the level of student need and could include peer conflict resolution strategies, lunch bunch groups and yoga.

One of the projects she developed and continues to facilitate at Richey Elementary is the school’s morning check-in routine and classroom regulation stations.

“As more students began arriving at school dysregulated, I recognized the need for both a daily emotional check-in and accessible Tier 1 regulation supports throughout the day,” Durant said.

She created bilingual feelings charts featuring the school mascot and encouraged teachers to place it outside their classroom doors. Each morning as students enter, teachers greet them and use the chart to gauge how students are feeling.

“This process fosters connection, allows teachers to identify students in need of support, and can be used as a discussion tool during Morning Meeting,” Durant said. “If a student appears dysregulated, the teacher can immediately contact a member of our support staff or encourage the student to use the classroom regulation station – a dedicated space in every homeroom and united arts classroom. Each station includes a carpet or pillow and a basket of self-regulation tools such as fidgets, breathing tracers, yoga poses and affirmation cards. The goal is for students to spend two to five minutes using the tools to regulate then return to learning.”

Video showcases 2025 behavioral health nominees

Check out the 2025 Behavioral Health Professional of the Year nominees from each Delaware school district as well as the Delaware Charter School Network.

Congratulations to Early College School (ECS) at Delaware State University (DSU) students Kara McCarthy and Christopher Richardson, who graduated from DSU with associate degrees this month - weeks before earning their high school diplomas.

The pair are part of the ECS model, which allows students to take a mix of high school and college courses during their high school years. Students can earn up to 60 college credits - equivalent to an associate degree - by the time they finish grade 12. 

Delaware high schools offer several early college credit opportunities, including advanced placement courses, dual enrollment, and The International Baccalaureate. These programs are designed to help students get a head start on college, lower the cost of degrees, and ease the transition to higher education.

Kara and Christopher are the first in ECS history to complete associate degrees before high school graduation. Their achievement shows what’s possible when students have access to college coursework in high school - and the support of their educators and schools to succeed.

Delaware honors 2024 AP Schools of Access and Excellence

The Delaware Department of Education, in partnership with the College Board, celebrated schools across the state with the Delaware AP School of Access and Excellence Award for their outstanding work in both expanding Advanced Placement (AP) access and supporting student success.

The honored schools have demonstrated a strong college-going culture by:

2024 Awarded Schools:

The celebration featured remarks from 2024 Delaware Teacher of the Year Shelby Borst, Secretary of Education Cindy Marten, and student speaker Marcos Salvador-Riera from Cab Calloway School of the Arts.

Congratulations to all the 2024 awardees for advancing excellence and equity in AP education!

Governor Meyere's Office announces internship program

The Office of Governor Matt Meyer announced that it is now looking for summer interns.  

During this 8-week program, interns will have the opportunity to learn about state government and support the work of the Governor's office in serving the residents of Delaware. Potential projects and responsibilities include drafting proclamations, tributes, and event memos; answering constituent calls; and attending events such as a cabinet speaker series and confirmation hearings.  

“This internship is a great opportunity for college students and recent graduates to gain relevant skills in public service,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “Over eight weeks, interns will work directly with public officials and learn firsthand about the inner workings of state government.” 

The internship program is open to rising undergraduate students, as well as recent 2025 graduates. Please submit a resume, a writing sample, and 3 references to GovInternships@delaware.gov by 5pm on Monday, June 2.  

For additional information, please contact GovInternships@delaware.gov. 

Delaware Department of Education I education.delaware.gov