Emily Szymanski
District Teacher of the Year

Emily is a creative and enthusiastic preschool and infant teacher at the Brennen School. She's been working with young children for eight years and is passionate about early intervention and providing meaningful learning opportunities for children with special needs.

Emily will represent the Christina School District as its District Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year, and will also be in the running to be named the State Teacher of the Year by the Delaware Department of Education. The State Teacher of the Year will be announced this fall.

Trudy Small
Behavioral Health Professional of the Year

Trudy is the proud school nurse of Downes Elementary School.  As a BSN registered nurse graduate of Delaware State University, Trudy has been a member of the healthcare profession for over 32 years.  She is committed to ensuring the well-being of all who enter her office.  She is passionate about providing compassionate and quality care to students and staff while remaining mindful of their individual preferences and needs.

Khiry Henderson
Educational Support Professional of the Year

Khiry is the epitome of a team player. He always goes above and beyond to help out wherever he's needed, no matter what the task or location. Whether he's tackling his own duties or helping out a colleague, Khiry does it all with a huge smile and a positive demeanor. His dedication and enthusiasm are infectious, and he inspires others to be their best selves. 

Linda Frazer
Lane Transportation Center
Transportation Employee Champion of the Year

Linda is not just any bus driver – she's amazing! She goes above and beyond to ensure the safety and comfort of the students on her bus. Rain or shine, she always shows and starts and ends the days with a smile and positive attitude! Her cheerful personality, warm smile, and her dedication to her job are truly inspiring.

Alfred Hall
Eden Support Services Center
Technology Employee Champion of the Year

Al is an IT professional who is truly dedicated to his craft and consistently goes “above and beyond” to provide exceptional support and service. Not only does he look for solutions, but he also makes sure that you get exactly what you need in a timely manner. Al always takes time to follow up on requests and ensure that you understand what he has done. He is very efficient and always goes the extra mile.

Andrea Woodard
Leasure Elementary School
Secretarial Employee Champion of the Year

Andrea has demonstrated exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic during her time as a school secretary at Leasure Elementary. She consistently goes above and beyond in her duties, ensuring that the school runs smoothly and efficiently. Andrea’s exceptional communication skills and positive attitude have helped to create a welcoming and supportive environment for both students and staff.

Tyishah McNeil
Jones Elementary School
Paraprofessional Employee Champion of the Year

Tyishah works extremely hard for the students and staff at Jones Elementary and goes above and beyond continuously. She has taken on the responsibility of numerous roles and responsibilities over the past year - from training new paraprofessionals to organizing new classrooms. Tyishah has shown a level of commitment that is truly inspiring and has proven time and time again that she is capable of taking on any challenge that comes her way.

Khiry Henderson
Eden Support Services Center
Custodial/Maintenance Employee Champion of the Year

Khiry is the epitome of a team player. He always goes above and beyond to help out wherever he's needed, no matter what the task or location. Whether he's tackling his own duties or helping out a colleague, Khiry does it all with a huge smile and a positive demeanor. His dedication and enthusiasm are infectious, and he inspires others to be their best selves. 

Leilani Donovan
Glasgow High School
Child Nutrition Services Employee Champion of the Year

Leilani is known for her exceptional knowledge and willingness to share it with others. She is dedicated to ensuring that every child receives healthy and nutritious meals that will help them grow and thrive. Leilani is a shining example of what it means to be a dedicated and caring school nutrition worker.

Elyse Barnes
The Bancroft School

Elyse is an exceptional educator who believes that every student has the potential to succeed. With her kind-hearted and compassionate approach, she creates a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and pushing themselves to new heights. Elyse is more than just a teacher—she is a mentor, a role model, and a friend to her students.

Dr. Serena Socha
The Bayard School

Serena is a dedicated and dependable teacher who is deeply vested in both her school and her community. She is passionate about education and works tirelessly to help her students succeed. But more than that, Serena is a compassionate teacher who truly cares about each and every one of her students. She goes above and beyond to make sure that they feel valued and supported. 

Laura Freehafer
Brader Elementary School

Laura is an incredible teacher who has learned to adapt and change her approach to teaching over the years. She understands that every student is unique and requires a personalized approach in order to truly thrive. She is an advocate for all her students and works to ensure that her students have the best academic experience possible.

Emily Szymanski
Brennen School

Emily is a creative and enthusiastic preschool and infant teacher at the Brennen School. She's been working with young children for eight years and is passionate about early intervention and providing meaningful learning opportunities for children with special needs.

Emily will represent the Christina School District as its District Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year, and will also be in the running to be named the State Teacher of the Year by the Delaware Department of Education. The State Teacher of the Year will be announced this fall.

Jennifer Witte
Brookside Elementary School

Jennifer is a truly passionate and compassionate teacher who cares deeply about her students' success. She sets incredibly high expectations for both herself and her students, pushing everyone to do their best and achieve their full potential. Jennifer's creative learning style helps to keep her students engaged and excited about learning. 

Peter Boyer
Christiana Vikings Campus

Peter, affectionately known as Coach Boyer, is a social studies teacher at the Middle School Honors Academy at Christiana HS who is known not only for his incredible teaching skills, but also known to appear as the annual CHS Santa. He is patient, kind, and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure his students succeed.

Roger Phipps
Delaware School for the Deaf

Roger Phipps is an educator with over 10 years of experience. Known for his humorous and dedicated teaching style, Roger brings enthusiasm and energy to every lesson he teaches. Whether he's leading a classroom discussion or helping a student one-on-one, Roger is always patient, supportive, and encouraging.

Connie Spedden
Downes Elementary School

Connie is one of the most enthusiastic educators you'll ever meet. Her passion for learning and physical education is evident in everything she does. She truly believes that physical education is a vital part of a well-rounded education, and she works tirelessly to help her students develop a love of movement (and music) and a passion for lifelong learning.

Jennifer Dalgarn
Gallaher Elementary School

Jennifer firmly believes that trust and respect are the foundation of any successful educator-student relationship. Jennifer understands the importance of building strong relationships with students in order to create a positive and productive learning environment. Jennifer sees each student as an individual, deserving of the best educational experience available.

Kevin Davis
Gauger-Cobbs Middle School

Kevin is a math teacher who truly believes that learning should be fun. He challenges himself and others to take risks and seek alternatives, encouraging his students to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems. Kevin always finds ways to keep his students engaged and interested in the subject.

Shannon Anderson
Glasgow High School

Shannon's exceptional talent for connecting with students is truly remarkable. Her ability to foster a wonderful rapport with students creates a positive and engaging learning environment that inspires students to succeed. Shannon sets high standards and expectations for her students, encouraging them to push beyond their limits and achieve their full potential.

LaShanda Wooten
Jones Elementary School

Lashanda is a truly special teacher who embodies empathy and caring in everything she does. She genuinely cares about her students and their success, and she goes above and beyond to help them achieve their goals. She encourages her students to be proud and confident in themselves. She says, “If they love themselves, they will work hard not to disappointment themselves.”

Stephanie Drake
Keene Elementary School

Stephanie has always known that she was meant to be a teacher. From the time she was just five years old, she dreamed of helping students learn and grow. Now, as a teacher, Stephanie prides herself on her ability to connect with her students and build meaningful relationships with them. She knows that when students feel confident and comfortable with their teachers, they're more likely to thrive in the classroom and beyond.

Mandee Wentzel
Kirk Middle School

Mandee's passion for teaching started early on. In first grade, she knew without a doubt that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up.  Now, as an accomplished teacher herself, Mandee strives to create an academically engaging learning experience for her own students so that they can reach their full potential.

Alishya Hess
Leasure Elementary School

Alishya has proven to be an exceptional teacher as she transitioned seamlessly from a general education teacher to a special education teacher. Her compassion, patience, and dedication to her students have made all the difference in their academic and personal growth. It is clear that Mrs. Hess has found her true calling as a special education teacher, and her students are fortunate to have her as their advocate and guide.

Stephanie Dobson
Maclary Elementary School

Stephanie is an exceptional teacher who truly cares about her students. She is known for her sweet and caring personality, and her dedication to student success is unparalleled. Her involvement in student activities and events is a testament to her commitment to creating a positive and supportive learning environment.

Laurie McGuire
McVey Elementary School

Laurie is an educator who is truly dedicated to improving instruction and helping her students succeed. She believes in taking a student-centered approach and is always willing to go above and beyond to ensure that her students are getting the help they need. She is dedicated to building strong relationships with her students and creating a safe and supportive learning environment. 

Adrienne Bane
Networks School for Employability Skills

Adrienne is not your average teacher. She's a force to be reckoned with in the classroom, thanks to her incredible organizational skills and unwavering dedication to her students. Adrienne gives 100% every day, and it shows in the results her students achieve. 

Paula Woolfolk-Cohen
Newark High School

Paula is a teacher who believes that trying new things is key to personal growth and development. She understands that it's easy to get stuck in our comfort zones. Thanks to Paula's inspiration and guidance, her students know that they can overcome their fears and dislikes and try something new—and they're excited to see where their newfound confidence will take them.

Heather Townsend
Oberle Elementary School

Heather is an exceptional educator who understands the importance of nurturing the whole child in her students. She goes above and beyond to ensure that her students feel seen, heard, and valued in her classroom. Heather takes the time to get to know her students and their unique needs, and she creates a supportive learning environment that encourages growth and exploration. 

Michael Herring
Sarah Pyle Academy

Michael is an exceptional teacher who is passionate about engaging and connecting with his students. He knows how to create an inclusive learning environment where everyone feels valued and supported and is always looking for ways to connect with students and help them succeed.

Monica Christy
Shue-Medill Middle School

Monica is a lifelong learner who believes that there is always something new to be learned. As an educator, she is constantly seeking out fresh perspectives on teaching and learning, and loves to explore new ideas and innovative approaches to education. Monica is passionate about creating opportunities for self-expression and for students to learn in a way that is meaningful and engaging.

Jacqueline Billic
Smith Elementary School

Jacqueline is a remarkable educator who has dedicated her career to creating a positive and inviting school culture. She is known for her sincere concern for her students and goes above and beyond to make sure that they feel valued and supported.

Dr. Doreen Scott-Baker
Stubbs Early Education Center

Doreen is known for her unwavering commitment to her students and her ability to connect with each and every one of them on a personal level. Her passion, caring, and compassion are evident in everything she does, and the students at Stubbs are lucky to have her.

Rose D'Alexander
West Park Place Elementary School

Rose’s dedication to her students is truly exceptional. She takes the time to get to know each of her students and their individual needs, ensuring that they receive the attention and resources necessary to succeed. Her commitment to her students and their families is nearly unmatched, and it is clear that she goes above and beyond to ensure their success.

Heather Wilson
Wilson Elementary School

Heather is a firm believer in the power of education, especially when it comes to young children. She knows that providing children with a quality elementary education can have a profound impact on their future success. Heather believes that every student is capable of achieving great things, and she instills this belief in her students through her unwavering dedication and support.