School employees who support the mental health of Delaware students are being recognized for their work.

The state will name its 2025 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year at a statewide celebration on Monday, May 19th. Delaware’s districts and the Delaware Charter School Network named local Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year for 2025. Following an application and interview process, one will be named the state honoree.

The Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year (BHPOY) program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). The program recognizes outstanding service by school employees who are health care practitioners or human service providers who offer services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health. The Delaware Charter School Network also is invited to participate. Employees considered for the award include:

• School counselors
• School social workers
• Licensed clinical social workers
• School psychologists
• School nurses

From those nominated at a local level, one behavioral health professional of the year moves forward to represent each district or the charter school community in the state program. Each district/charter network honoree receives a $2,000 personal award from the professional’s district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to serve as Delaware’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. State honorees receive an additional $3,000 personal award from the department as well as $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of the state honoree’s students.

The 2025 District/Charter Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year are:

• Appoquinimink School District: Ingrid Carr, school psychologist, Cantwell’s Bridge Middle School
• Brandywine School District: Stefanie Stiefel, school counselor, Talley Middle School
• Caesar Rodney School District: Sarah Mouhtarim, mental health counselor, Caesar Rodney High School
• Cape Henlopen School District: Sandra Concors, board certified behavior analyst, Sussex Consortium
• Capital School District: Krystal Little, school nurse, East Dover Elementary School
• Christina School District: Amber Logan, school counselor, West Park Place Elementary School
• Colonial School District: Tanya Aviola, school counselor, New Castle Elementary School
• Delaware Charter School Network: Juliane Hein, school counselor, Sussex Academy Elementary School
• Delmar School District: Sally Irwin, school nurse, Delmar Middle/Senior High School
• Indian River School District: Michelle C. Mitchell, school counselor, Southern Delaware School of the Arts
• Lake Forest School District: Keisha Baynard, school counselor, W.T. Chipman Middle School
• Laurel School District: Jamie Reynolds, school counselor, Laurel High School
• Milford School District: Lisa Caccamise, school psychologist, Milford High School
• New Castle County Vo-Tech School District: Ryan Hawthorne, school counselor, Delcastle Technical High School
• POLYTECH School District: Sean Kenney, school counselor, POLYTECH High School
• Red Clay Consolidated School District: Jaclyn Durant, school social worker, Richey Elementary School
• Seaford School District: Julianne Lodowski, school nurse, West Seaford Elementary School
• Smyrna School District: Rosemarie Tiberi, school counselor, Smyrna High School
• Sussex County Vocational Technical School District: Tonya James, school counselor, Sussex Technical High School
• Woodbridge School District: Mallory McConnell, school psychologist, Woodbridge Middle School

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) will livestream the May 19th event following the dinner portion of the night. The livestream should start around 7:15 p.m. and will be visible on DDOE’s YouTube page and shared to DDOE’s facebook page.

Find photos of the 2025 honorees online here.

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

Ten Delaware schools have earned the Purple Star School designation, recognizing them for their commitment to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children.

The 2025 recipients are Caesar Rodney School District’s Allen Frear Elementary, David E. Robinson Elementary, Major George S. Welch Elementary, Nellie Stokes Elementary and Star Hill Elementary as well as Lake Forest School District’s Lake Forest Central Elementary, Lake Forest East Elementary, Lake Forest North Elementary, Lake Forest South Elementary and W.T. Chipman Middle.

The schools will be honored this afternoon when Governor Matt Meyer also signs a proclamation recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child. The Month of the Military Child is a national recognition of the sacrifices military-connected children make so their families can serve our country.

Jennifer Davis, Delaware commissioner for the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission, said, “Military members’ children make sacrifices just like their parents and caregivers, missing time with their loved ones when they are deployed overseas and sometimes making frequent school transitions when their families’ military stations change.

“These children face challenges and have needs unique to their non-military peers. I thank these schools for recognizing the hardships and seeking ways to better support these students,” Davis said.

For example, at Frear Elementary School, a school counselor facilitates specialized peer-to-peer support groups designed to assist students coping with parental deployment or adjusting to new environments.

“These groups provide a safe space for students to share experiences, develop coping strategies, and build supportive peer relationships,” the school said in its application.

W.T. Chipman Middle said in its application that by implementing structured transition programs, peer mentorship, dedicated staff support, and ongoing professional development, Chipman creates a school culture that values and understands the needs of military-connected families.

“Through targeted resources, personalized outreach, and active family engagement, W.T. Chipman is dedicated to easing transitions, promoting stability, and ensuring that every military-connected student feels a sense of belonging,” the school said.

To be designated as a Purple Star School, the school must designate a staff member to serve as a military liaison to: identify military-connected youth, serve as a contact between the school and their families, determine appropriate school services for the children and help coordinate school programs relevant to military-connected youth. In addition to participating in training on how to support the military-connected families with the specific challenges they face, the liaison also must conduct school-wide professional development to inform all staff of the unique needs of military-connected students and available resources.

Delaware Purple Star Schools also must have designated web pages with resources and information relevant to military-connected families and establish a transition program for youth. The school also must show support for military-connected children and their families through a recognition event or other support programs.

Delaware’s Purple Star designation is valid for three years.

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

The Delaware Department of Education has named six Delaware teachers as state finalists for the 2025 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the highest recognition that K-12 STEM teachers can receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Finalists’ applications will now move forward to the national level for final selection of the 2025 PAEMST National Awardees.

The 2025 Delaware state finalists are:

• David Eroh, science, Brandywine High School, Brandywine School District
• Dasianee Gavin, science, Middle School of Excellence, Capital School District
• Sarah Leonard, science, Louis L. Redding Middle School, Appoquinimink School District
• Jacalyn Jenkins, mathematics, Smyrna Middle School, Smyrna School District
• Katie Menhart, mathematics, Smyrna High School, Smyrna School District
• Shellee Wong, mathematics, Odessa High School, Appoquinimink School District

The goal of the PAEMST award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching (including technology, engineering and computer science) in addition to honoring individual achievement. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of STEM education.  The award alternates each year between teachers of kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades. Every year each state selects up to three mathematics teachers and three science teachers as state finalists. A national selection committee reviews state finalist applications and selects up to one awardee in each content area for every state. These teachers are recognized for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress. Finalists who are selected as national awardees will take part in a weeklong series of networking and professional development activities in Washington, D.C., and receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.

Find photos of the finalists here. For more information about PAEMST and to see future nomination forms and application instructions, visit paemst.nsf.gov.

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

Delaware middle school students showed off their culinary, career and leadership skills earlier this month at the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference and Middle School Exploratory Event at Junior Achievement of Delaware. This dynamic event brought together students from across the state to develop critical work-readiness skills, explore diverse career pathways, enhance financial literacy, and chart their academic and professional futures.

The Delaware Department of Education-hosted event was enhanced through the sponsorship and support of the Delaware Restaurant Association, Delaware Restaurant Foundation, and the Delaware Teacher Academy Foundation, whose contributions ensured a meaningful experience for all participants.

Students participated in a wide array of skill-based competitive events, including professional presentation, public advocacy, culinary knife skills, nutrition and wellness, food innovation, sports nutrition, and repurpose and redesign projects. Each competition encouraged students to showcase their expertise and creativity while gaining real-world experience in their respective fields.

Highlighting the event, Brandywine High School’s Culinary & Hospitality program provided catering services for the conference, offering students a valuable work-based learning opportunity.

Celebrating Student Excellence

The following students were recognized for their outstanding achievements during the conference:

Culinary Knife Skills

• Kylie Medler (Capital School District’s Dover Middle School) – Silver Medalist
• Aiden Newman (Dover Middle School) – Silver Medalist
• Neveah Jalulah (Dover Middle School)  – Gold Medalist
• Cecilia Rhine (Dover Middle School) – Gold Medalist & State Champion

Food Innovation

• Gianna Howard, Adalynn Perry, & Layla Poppitt (Red Clay Consolidated School District’s H.B. duPont Middle School)- Bronze Medalists
• Kourtney Hermansader, Quinn Wooldridge, & Mary Hall (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Silver Medalists

Nutrition & Wellness

• Sarah Czerwonka & Vritika Mehta (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Silver Medalists

Professional Presentation

• Brianna Corona-Rodriguez, Maybelle Garcia, & Emmanuel Guardado (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Silver Medalists
• Olivia Bao & Katherine O’Neill (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Gold Medalists & State Champions

Public Policy Advocate

• Tamara Noselli, Maya Worth, & Arya Acevedo (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Gold Medalists & State Champions

Repurpose & Redesign

• Olivia Taylor & Sienna Walls (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Silver Medalists
• Justin Schorah & Gabriel Scott (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Gold Medalists & State Champions

Sports Nutrition

• Addison Inkell & Charlotte Wiesen (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Gold Medalists
• Gavin Salfas (H.B. duPont Middle School) – Gold Medalist & State Champion

This event highlights the remarkable talent, dedication, and creativity of Delaware’s Career & Technical FCCLA students. By participating in these competitions and exploratory activities, students are better prepared to excel in their chosen career paths and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Find photos online here.

For more information on the Delaware FCCLA and its programs, visit www.delawarepathways.org or contact State Advisor Michael.Hill-Shaner@doe.k12.de.us.

President Joe Biden has named six Delaware teachers recipients of the 2021 – 2023 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

The PAEMST is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade science, technology, engineering, or mathematics teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Up to 112 teachers are recognized each year.

Presidential Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a trip to Washington D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

Awardees also join an active network of outstanding educators from throughout the nation. Since 1983, more than 5,500 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. Awardees reflect the expertise and dedication of the Nation’s teaching corps, and they demonstrate the positive impact of excellent teachers on student achievement.

Delaware PAEMST Awardees announced this week

2021

Michael Reitemeyer, Mount Pleasant High School, Brandywine School District (mathematics)

Brian Heeney, Delcastle Technical High School, New Castle County Vocational Technical School District (science)

2022

Jason Orlen, East Millsboro Elementary School, Indian River School District (mathematics)

Maria Cobb, Mount Pleasant Elementary School, Brandywine School District (science)

2023

Brittney Stewart, Caesar Rodney High School, Caesar Rodney School District (mathematics)

Michael Doody, formerly of William Penn High School, Colonial School District (science)

“This is one of the highest recognitions a teacher can receive. Congratulations to these educators whose students know first-hand the power of great instruction,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “These teachers make science, technology, engineering and mathematics engaging and relevant to our students, and I am proud they are representing Delaware.”

In March, Delaware also named four finalists for the 2024 award, which the national program will decide upon at a future date. 

The goal of the PAEMST program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching (including technology, engineering and computer science) in addition to honoring individual achievement. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.  The award alternates between teachers of kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades.  Every year each state selects up to three mathematics teachers and three science teachers as state finalists. A national selection committee reviews state finalist applications and selects one awardee in each content area for every state. Teachers are recognized for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress in mathematics and science.

For more information about PAEMST and to see nomination forms and application instructions, visit paemst.nsf.gov