A high school social studies teacher from the Colonial School District is Delaware’s 2025 State Teacher of the Year.
Shelby Borst of William Penn High School now is Delaware’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year. Governor John Carney made the announcement tonight during a Dover ceremony to honor the 20 district/charter teachers of the year.
Borst, in her eighth year of teaching, advocates for more equitable learning systems. She started by recognizing needed changes within her own classroom then sought out professional learning to further her knowledge.
Analyzing the demographics of her own classes, she realized that the students on her roster for college preparatory classes were more likely to be Black or Hispanic, multilanguage learners and have lower grade-point averages. Those in her Advanced Placement and dual enrollment rosters were more likely to be white with higher grade-point averages and to have been previously enrolled in honors or AP courses. When she asked her college preparatory students about higher-level courses she found two similar responses: students either didn’t know the options existed or felt they couldn’t take the courses.
“Not only was I saddened by my students’ lack of confidence in their abilities, but I was also astounded by my students’ lack of knowledge about honors and AP-level courses,” Borst said. “No student, regardless of the barriers they face in society, should ever have to worry about hurdles in the classroom. Just as redlining denied Black and other communities of color access to homeownership for decades, gatekeeping currently denies Black and other underserved students access to the ownership of their education.”
Borst set out to dismantle systematic barriers that caused these responses in her students. She avidly recruited students in all levels of social studies courses, met with counselors to identify candidates for AP courses who are historically underrepresented, and created an informal flier for the behavioral science pathway.
The next year, her two AP classes turned into three – then five.
“Students of all backgrounds, identities and abilities have thrived in a learning community that works with them rather than against them. More students than ever had the access and opportunity to engage in challenging coursework, earn college credits, and build meaningful connections,” Borst said. “As I continue this mission each year, I no longer have students barred from walking through my doors. Students proudly walk in, knowing they are accepted.”
One former student, Aubrey Bing, said she transferred to William Penn from a small private all-girls school a month into the school year. She credits Borst for helping her through the transition, including helping her connect with a peer who became her first friend at the new school.
“It was clear that Ms. Borst genuinely cared about her students’ well-being,” Bing said, later adding, “Ms. Borst fostered a supportive, judgment-free environment that encouraged me to participate actively, share my experiences, and be authentically myself.”
Borst graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in social studies education before earning her graduate degree in curriculum and instruction from Western Governors University.
Borst inherits from outgoing State Teacher of the Year Cory Hafer the responsibility of representing all teachers in Delaware. She will address community groups, business leaders, legislators, and educational organizations to inform the public about the status of Delaware schools. She also will become Delaware’s candidate in the National Teacher of the Year Program, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers sponsored by the Voya Foundation.
By action of the General Assembly, she will receive a $5,000 grant to use for the educational benefit of her students, as well as two personal grants totaling an additional $5,000. The remaining 19 school district/charter honorees each will receive a personal grant of $2,000. All 20 teachers also received gifts from Wilmington University, Advantech Incorporated and their district superintendents or the Delaware Charter Network.
Borst also received gifts from the Delaware School Boards Association, Delaware State Education Association and Delaware State Teachers of the Year Association; State of Delaware Teacher of the Year commemorative plates from the Division of Motor Vehicles; a full doctorate program from University of Delaware and Wilmington University; and a 10-karat gold ring from Jostens.
This year’s celebration was sponsored by Voya Financial.
NOTE TO MEDIA: Those interested in arranging interviews with Borst on Wednesday should contact Colonial School District public information officer Lauren Wilson (Lauren.Wilson@colonial.k12.de.us).
Watch the virtual celebration and announcement online here.
Find information on and photos of all 20 honorees here.
Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006