A guidance secretary from Laurel School District’s Laurel Middle School is the state’s 2026 Delaware Educational Support Professional of the Year.

Donna Ward has almost three decades of experience in the district, where she has worked in almost every Laurel school, serving as a paraprofessional and secretary. Describing her as “the heartbeat of the Laurel School District,” Superintendent Shawn Larrimore added, “Her role has never been limited to her job description. Donna is the first to volunteer, the last to give up, and the one who always finds a way to bring people together.

“Whether she is organizing fundraisers, coordinating community events, or coaching field hockey, softball, and cheerleading, Donna pours her whole heart into making Laurel schools a better place for students and staff alike,” Larrimore said.

Ward organizes many district events, such as Winterfest, which has become a favorite community event with food, children’s activities, music and photos with Santa, all at no cost to the community.

She also founded the district’s first Special Olympics team and remains active.

“Seeing the bond between our students with special needs and our typical peers is something all students and adults will always remember,” Ward said.

Another passion is the BARK Club, which stands for Beautiful, Amazing, Resilient and Kind. The club welcomes all girls seeking a supportive environment where they can feel accepted. She helped establish the club after coaching Girls on the Run and identifying a need for team bonding and social lessons among girls who weren’t interested in running.

“Our club convenes weekly to emphasize the importance of self-care, teamwork and community service,” Ward said, noting improved attendance rates among club members. “Students who feel good about themselves want to come to school.”

Laurel Middle School Principal Brandon Noelte said Ward is making a difference.

“Mrs. Ward’s ability to connect with anyone and everyone in a positive, encouraging manner spreads throughout an organization. She has inspired students to attend school and be successful,” he said.

Secretary Cindy Marten made the announcement tonight during a statewide celebration to honor the 2026 cohort of district/charter educational support professionals of the year.

They were chosen to represent their districts or the Delaware Charter School Network in the state’s Delaware Educational Support Professional of the Year Program.

The Delaware State Educational Support Professional of the Year program recognizes outstanding service by school employees who provide direct or indirect services to students and their families. The Delaware Charter School Network also is invited to participate. Employees considered for the award include:

• Paraprofessionals
• Custodial staff
• Secretaries
• Nutritional staff
• School- and district-employed bus drivers
• School- and district-employed bus aides
• Information technology staff

From those nominated at a building level, one educational support professional of the year moves forward to represent each district or the charter school community in the state program. Each district/charter network winner receives a $2,000 personal award from the winner’s district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to serve as Delaware’s Educational Support Professional of the Year. The state winner receives an additional $3,000 personal award from the department as well as $5,000 from the department to be used for the educational benefit of his or her students.

DDOE is excited to recognize Ward and all the outstanding professionals whose work is vital to students’ success.

The 2026 honorees* are:

• Appoquinimink: Melody Unruh, paraprofessional (Rise program), Bunker Hill Elementary School
• Brandywine: Patricia Werley, special education paraprofessional, Mount Pleasant Elementary School
• Caesar Rodney: Sherron Lewis, paraprofessional, Postlethwait Middle School
• Cape Henlopen: Pamela L. Elliott, paraprofessional, Cape Henlopen High School
• Capital: Dominique Dixon, senior secretary, Booker T. Washington Elementary School
• Charter Network: Iliana Gonzalez, food service manager, Sussex Academy
• Christina: Elizabeth Willis, bus driver, Transportation Office
• Delmar: Amy Evans, child nutrition manager, Delmar Middle & Senior High School
• Indian River: Coleen Paul, administrative assistant, Lord Baltimore Elementary School
• Lake Forest: Henry C. Wilson IV, instructional support paraprofessional, WT Chipman Middle School
• Laurel: Donna Ward, guidance secretary, Laurel Middle School
• Milford: Melissa Schmidt, paraprofessional librarian, Evelyn Morris Early Childhood Center
• New Castle County Vo-Tech: Katie Napolin, instructional paraprofessional, St. Georges Technical High School
• POLYTECH: Joy Bohn, paraprofessional librarian, POLYTECH High School
• Red Clay Consolidated: Norine P. Seth, paraprofessional, Joseph Johnson Elementary School
• Seaford: Kira Bryan, special education paraprofessional, Blades Elementary School
• Smyrna: Angela Ringgold, paraprofessional, Sunnyside Elementary School
• Sussex Tech: Daphne Kamin, paraprofessional (construction trades), Sussex Technical High School
• Woodbridge: David W. Taulbee, constable, Phillis Wheatley Elementary School

*Colonial does not have a state program participant for 2026.

Find more information on the honorees online here.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

Print