Nineteen Delaware teachers have been nominated for the honor of being named Delaware's Teacher of the Year for 2016.

 

Selected from among the 9,000 public school teachers in the state, the candidates were nominated by their districts because of their ability to inspire students with a love of learning, demonstration of professional traits and devotion to teaching.

 

Already leaders among the colleagues in their buildings, each now has assumed a role representing educators in their districts. And in October, one will take over the state title from 2015 Delaware Teacher of the Year Megan Szabo, a middle school science teacher from Caesar Rodney School District.

 

Earlier this month, the nominees spent a day meeting with past State Teachers of the Year and Department of Education leaders. We asked the teachers to share their thoughts on teacher leadership.

 

"The implementation of (professional learning communities) in our school and district has given teachers an outstanding opportunity for leadership across content areas. It has provided opportunities for collaboration as well as vertical and horizontal articulation throughout the district," said Amanda Chas, Appoquinimink School District Teacher of the Year. Read more from the teachers and find the full list of nominees as well as photos here. Congrats to all!

Delaware College Scholars gain academic, social skills through summer residential program

 

 

Delaware students from across the state are spending part of their summer gaining the academic and social skills necessary for college success thanks to a free residential program launched in Delaware last year.

 

The Delaware College Scholars (DCS) program provides nearly 80 rising juniors and seniors the opportunity to live and learn at St. Andrew's School in Middletown for three weeks this June, giving Delaware students the know-how to enroll in and graduate from a four-year university and helping to ensure that each student is prepared to succeed in his or her post-secondary plans. This year's attendees include rising seniors returning after their inaugural year last year and a new class of rising juniors entering the program for the first time. DCS also aids in reducing "summer melt," which describes the trend affecting 10 to 20 percent of college-eligible students, usually from low-income families, who fail to follow-through on their plans to attend college in the fall. The program gives a preference to those from low-income families who would be first-generation college-goers. This year, the students from the 2014 inaugural class have returned to join the 42 first-time attendees.

 

All the students spend their days taking SAT preparation classes as well as college essay writing, math and literacy courses aimed to prepare them for university-level work. They learn human development and general organization and study habits, as well as different ways to relax and reduce stress through yoga, dance and sports. Advisory sessions from current college students also help the juniors and seniors get a first-hand perspective of university living. Throughout the next school year, students will visit area college campuses to gain exposure to selective universities and learn about the college admissions and financial aid process.

See more photos here.