General Assembly Honors Teachers of the Year
---Concurrent Resolution 7 passes in House and Senate---
Delaware's 2011 State Teacher of the Year Joe Masiello, joined by Delaware's 2011 District Teachers of the Year, addressed legislators in both chambers today on Race to the Top and other education issues in Delaware after lawmakers passed a concurrent resolution honoring the educators. The visit comes as the state nears the one-year anniversary of its top-place finish for the federal competitive grant. Delaware is receiving $119 million over four years to implement an ambitious plan to raise achievement of students across the state.
The resolution sponsors were Sen. David Sokola and Rep. Teresa Schooley, who chair the Senate and House's respective education committees.
In his address, Masiello told lawmakers we must get to work to give our children what they deserve: "Never before in my 28-year history of working in our state have I felt such a sense of hope. When I mention getting involved, I am making reference to getting the word out: the facts about Race to the Top. Our job is to spread the word about the amazing things taking place in our state in regards to education reform.
"Believe me, there's a lot of information out there in regards to Race to the Top, and the nay sayers have begun their negative rhetoric. The responsibility lies in our hands to explain, praise, and reassure the teachers in our districts that race to the top is powerful, and it's going to elevate education to a height never before seen in the state of Delaware,” he said.
"I am here to tell you that Race to the Top will not succeed without the support and belief of our innovative and creative teachers. With change comes fear, and with fear comes confusion, and the people in this room are aware of the importance of our innovative attempt at education reform in Delaware. We have the monumental privilege of lending our voices to its implementation, and expressing our belief in the success of our state's plan.
"Teachers, what better time to use our voices than now, a time when many of us are respected in our districts as teachers of the year. Let's begin by erasing the fears surrounding Race to the Top and continue touting its potential, therefore allowing everyone to embrace Race to the Top so we can allow our children to participate in a world class education system.”
The 2011 District Teachers of the Year are:
School District |
Teacher |
School |
Grade/Subject |
|
Appoquinimink |
Abby Shubert |
Middletown High School |
Grade 11 English |
|
Brandywine |
Barbara Stein Rosen |
Maple Lane Elementary School |
Grade 5 |
|
Caesar Rodney |
Catherine DiBenedetto |
Caesar Rodney High School |
Grades 9-12 Agriscience |
|
Cape Henlopen |
Kathryn DelCampo |
Mariner Middle School |
Grade 8 Mathematics |
|
Capital |
Melissa White |
Central Middle School |
Grade 8 Mathematics |
|
Christina |
Joyce Nerlinger |
Albert H. Jones Elementary School |
Grades K-5 Art |
|
Colonial |
Beth Greenstein |
William Penn High School |
Grades 9-12 English to Speakers of Other Languages; English |
|
Delmar |
Lorrie Sonnier |
Delmar High School |
Grade 12 English |
|
Indian River |
Marjorie Worrell |
Indian River High School |
Grade 9 English |
|
Lake Forest |
Pamela Sheldon |
Lake Forest South Elementary School |
Grades K-3 Visual Arts |
|
Laurel |
Christina Gallo |
Laurel High School |
Grades 9-10 Social Studies |
|
Milford |
Amanda Parisi |
Milford High School |
Grades 9-12 English as a Second Language |
|
NCCVT |
Kelly Bench |
Paul M. Hodgson Vo-Tech High School |
Grades 9-10 Social Studies |
|
POLYTECH |
Edward Bittner |
POLYTECH High School |
Grades 10-12 Social Studies |
|
Red Clay |
Joseph Masiello |
Cab Calloway School of the Arts |
Grade 6 English |
|
Seaford |
Courtney White |
Central Elementary School |
Grade 2 |
|
Smyrna |
Mandi Wilson |
North Smyrna Elementary School |
Grade 3 |
|
Sussex Tech |
Sandra Furbush |
Sussex Technical High School |
Grades 9-12 Social Studies |
|
Woodbridge |
Mikki Madden |
Phillis Wheatley Middle School |
Grade 5 |
|
Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education
for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.
|
Contact Info.
Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us |
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