Brandywine’s Jahsha Tabron named 2022 Delaware Teacher of the Year

A high school special education teacher from the Brandywine School District is Delaware’s 2022 State Teacher of the Year.

Jahsha Tabron of Brandywine High School now is Delaware’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year. She will use her position to share her message to fellow teachers about the importance of teachers building strong communities.

“As a special education teacher, I have witnessed the power of inclusive classrooms. Inclusion erases educational barriers, embraces diversity, develops resilience in students, and fosters their perseverance,” Tabron said. “Teachers, our ability to persevere and succeed is dependent on the communities we build; we cannot and should not do this alone! Our greatest resource is each other.”

Governor John Carney made the announcement during a Dover ceremony to honor the 20 district/charter teachers of the year.

As a co-teacher in grades 9 to 12 English classes, Tabron works to make learning relevant to her students. She maintains academic rigor while helping students make connections to themselves, the text, and the real world. Her primary focus is ninth-grade special education students who are transitioning to the high school setting. Her expertise is in working with students and families to foster community connections between home, school, and educational agencies.

Tabron also works to uphold equitable educational practices; she facilitates opportunities for fellow educators to foster student-centered growth. She mentors new teachers in special education compliance requirements necessary for developing individualized education programs.

A former colleague, M. Dwayne Caldwell, wrote in a letter recommending Tabron for the honor that she lives by a three-step guide in all that she does: “1) be truthful about what is actually happening; 2) determine the steps that need to be taken to change; and 3) hold yourself accountable for taking the steps. This approach has guided all of her work – as a building leader, as a mentor to new teachers, with special needs students, and with me.”

Tabron believes the most important thing an educator can teach a student is the power of self-advocacy. She speaks for the voiceless. She helps the often-overlooked students find their voices whilst advocating for them. She connects with students and encourages them to become active participants in their learning. Tabron believes that success lies in self-reflection. She is always willing to re-examine her work and the impact that it has on her students.

DaSheena Robinson, a Brandywine High alumna who went on to become a teacher herself, also recommended Tabron for the honor. While in high school she applied to be a teacher’s assistant in Tabron’s class because she wanted to learn from her.

“Mrs. Tabron ensured social emotional learning, conflict resolution and goal setting permeated through each of her daily lessons,” Robinson said. “Through this experience I noted first-hand how society could discourage students due to socioeconomic status, race, or intellectual level, but it only took one person to truly believe and invest in order to counter the negativity. When students were tired and frustrated with life’s circumstances, Mrs. Tabron served as a voice of compassion and hope for a better tomorrow.”

Tabron earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary and special education from Delaware State University and her Master of Education in school leadership and instruction from Wilmington University.

In addition to serving as her school’s special education department chair, Tabron also is a district transition facilitator to assist students with disabilities transition to post-secondary education or employment opportunities.

Tabron inherits from outgoing Teacher of the Year Kimberly Stock 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 candidates each will receive a personal grant of $2,000. All 20 teachers also received gifts from Advantech Incorporated and their district superintendents or charter principal.

Tabron also received gifts from the Office of U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, Delaware School Boards 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 Delaware State University and University of Delaware; 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 Tabron on Tuesday should contact Brandywine School District public information officer Danielle Pro-Hudson at danielle.prohudson@bsd.k12.de.us.

 

Watch the virtual celebration and announcement online here.

Find information on all 20 nominees here.

 

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


DNREC Parks Director Earns National Award

DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens /DNREC photo

 

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens has received the 2021 National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) Conference Distinguished Service Award Sept. 10 during the NASPD’s annual conference.

NASPD states on its website that “The Distinguished Service award is given to a state park director who has demonstrated a long-term, sustained record of professional accomplishment in the field of park and recreation management.”

“Ray is the perfect recipient of this national award. He is an innovative problem solver and leader whose passion for the environment, people and our state park system directly benefit the millions of people who visit Delaware State Parks each year,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “He is a true steward of park lands with a customer-centric focus who pushes his team to excel and provide the public with enjoyable experiences within our state parks.”

For 30 years, Bivens has dedicated his career to park stewardship with a passion for natural and cultural resources, customer service, training, partnerships and staff development. He is a hands-on leader who often works alongside Delaware State Parks field staff to gain perspective of the visitor experience.

He has placed a focus on youth during his 18-year tenure with Delaware State Parks, and played a lead role in creating the Delaware Children in Nature plan and the creation of the First State Heritage Park in Dover. One of his first acts as director was to establish the Delaware Youth Conservation Corps. Other accomplishments include having a key role in the creation of the Trap Pond and Killens Pond state park nature centers, and the development of multiple new trails and playgrounds.

Under Bivens’s leadership, the Delaware State Parks system, administered by the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, has seen tremendous growth and broken records in various areas, including camping/cabin stays, volunteer hours, park attendance, and revenue. Park users generate 65% of the revenue utilized to operate and maintain the parks. A recent economic impact study concluded that out-of-state visitors generate close to $400 million in impact on the Delaware economy thanks to the state park system. Other milestones include the dedication Delaware’s 17th state park, Auburn Valley, in 2018 and the creation of the division’s first strategic plan in 2020.

In 2016, the division was selected as the only small state to be awarded the National Gold Medal as the best managed state park system for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA). Delaware State Parks is currently a finalist for the 2021 Gold Medal award to be announced later this month.

“Delaware State Parks has an abundance of natural and cultural resources,” Bivens said, “but our greatest resource are the dedicated staff and volunteers who passionately give of their time and talents.”

Prior to being named Delaware’s eighth state park director in 2013, Bivens served as the division’s chief of interpretation and operations section manager. Bivens’s natural resources career started as a teenager in the Maryland Youth Conservation Corps. He served as a park naturalist for various Maryland state parks including Rocky Gap, Tuckahoe and Point Lookout state parks. Bivens and his wife, Becky Bivens, reside in Frederica.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov or Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov

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Outdoor Delaware Online Magazine Wins National Award

National Federation of Press WomenOutdoor Delaware online magazine, produced by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, earned a first-place award in the National Federation of Press Women awards competition during its annual ceremony on Friday, June 11.

Outdoor Delaware had been in publication since 1956, but when print subscriptions reached an all-time low, it was time to find another way to educate the public about the state’s natural resources. DNREC’s Public Affairs team transitioned Outdoor Delaware from a print publication to an online magazine in 2020. Hosted on the DNREC website at de.gov/outdoordelaware, the new Outdoor Delaware online magazine is a lively guide to nature, conservation and fun.

“This award marks a significant achievement for the DNREC,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “It recognizes the success of the new format and is a credit to the many DNREC colleagues who contribute engaging content to the online magazine. We are pleased our online magazine has been acknowledged for excellence by the National Federation of Press Women.”

Readers are able to meet lemurs and radiated tortoises, watch a ship sink to an artificial reef, learn about electric vehicles, explore underwater jellyfish, find out where recycling ends up, and so much more. Every month, DNREC adds new posts with photos and videos, each authored by a DNREC employee, showcasing the department’s talent of engineers, scientists and other experts.

“Thanks to the transition from print to digital, we’re able to reach more people about Delaware’s natural resources and the many ways DNREC works to protect, preserve and enhance them,” said Nikki Lavoie, DNREC chief communications officer.

The National Federation of Press Women (NFPW), founded in 1937, is an organization comprised of women and men from across the communication spectrum including reporters, editors, bloggers, authors and photographers to promote professionalism and ethical activities in journalism and communications.

Each year since 1940, NFPW has sponsored a professional communications contest to reward excellence in communication in a wide range of categories, with entries judged by leaders in their fields of expertise. NFPW affiliates throughout the U.S. hold annual communications contests that provide affiliate members an opportunity to compete against state and regional colleagues in a broad range of categories set by NFPW.

Outdoor Delaware online magazine won a first-place award in the blog category from the NFPW- affiliated Delaware Press Association earlier this year.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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State of Delaware Employees Recognized for Team Excellence, Excellence and Commitment in State Service, and Heroism

Public Servants Recognized for Outstanding Achievements 

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, Cabinet members, and the business community celebrate the extraordinary work of Delaware’s public servants and present awards annually to state employees that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their work. Historically, the Department of Human Resources hosts an annual recognition event during Public Service Recognition Week; however, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented employees from gathering for an event. Instead, awards are being distributed to individual and team recipients this week.

“State of Delaware employees deserve to be recognized every day for their commitment to their work and dedication to public service – especially during this time of crisis,” said Governor Carney. “State workers have stepped up for Delawareans during this COVID-19 pandemic, delivering important services that families rely on. I know it hasn’t been easy, but we recognize and appreciate that commitment to service.”

This year’s GEAR P3 Innovation and Efficiency Award and the new Trailblazer Award were made possible through the support of the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) Board and a Public-Private Partnership (P3) between the State of Delaware and the Delaware business community. These awards recognize State employees with the highest level of performance excellence in continuous improvement activities. Private Sector contributors of the awards include Bank of America, Capital One, Corporation Service Company (CSC), Delmarva Power, Highmark BCBS, JP Morgan Chase Bank, M&T Bank, The Precisionists Inc. (TPI), and WSFS Bank. Governor Carney emphasized the importance of these contributors, saying “I’m grateful for our continued partnership with the State’s business community and for their support in honoring these employees.”

“As the private sector representative of Governor Carney’s GEAR initiative, I am thrilled that the private sector, with the strong backing of the Delaware Business Roundtable and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, has partnered again with The State of Delaware on the Public-Private Partnership (P3) Governor’s Innovation and Efficiency Awards. This program is a terrific step toward better government, and in recognizing state employees and teams on outstanding accomplishments,” said Ernie Dianastasis.

Governor’s Team Excellence Awards

This award category includes the GEAR P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award; Champions Award; and Commitment Award. The Governor’s Team Excellence Awards, presented annually to a team of six to 20 state employees, encourages teamwork by recognizing groups of state employees for their efforts to use continuous quality improvement tools to excel in leadership, team dynamics and communication to produce superior customer service and tangible results.

GEAR P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award

This top award is a cooperative initiative between the State of Delaware and the business community. This public private partnership honors teams that not only use continuous quality tools to achieve outstanding outcomes but also develop innovative designs and process, establish best practices, and produce verifiable results that are sustainable, scalable, and adaptable to other areas of government. These teams serve as clear role models for other organizations. The recipient of this year’s award is:

  • Delaware One Stop Rebuild Team, Department of State, Department of Technology and Information, Department of Finance, and Department of Labor

Champions Award

This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a superior knowledge of continuous quality improvement techniques, produced tangible results, and increased efficiencies, customer satisfaction, or cost savings. Recipients of this year’s award are:

  • SR1 Christiana Mall Project Team, Department of Transportation
  • Drug Intervention Notification Program Team, Department of Health and Social Services and Delaware Criminal Justice Information System

Commitment Award

This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a commitment to developing and applying quality improvement tools and techniques and achieving results that lead to continuous improvement in their organization. The recipient of this year’s award is:

  • Elections Systems Migration Team, Department of Elections, Department of Technology and Information, Department of Transportation, and Delaware Criminal Justice Information System

Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service Award

The Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service Award, established in 1990, is given to five State of Delaware employees, or groups of up to six employees, who exemplify the highest standards of excellence and commitment in state service. In addition, the GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award provides special recognition for those individuals and small groups whose accomplishments demonstrate leadership in application of continuous improvement best practices. Recipients of the 2020 award are:

  • Mary Baker and Kathleen Truitt, Department of Services for Children Youth and Their Families
  • Thomas Gilbert, Department of Transportation
  • James Henry, Office of Management and Budget
  • Carole Mick, Department of State
  • Christopher Miller, Department of Agriculture

GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award

  • Anthony DiCicco, Department of Technology and Information
  • PCMA Group
    • Jessica Guido-Brown, Department of Health and Social Services
    • Melissa Winters, Department of Health and Social Services

Delaware Award for Heroism

The Delaware Award for Heroism, established in 2013, recognizes state employees for acts of heroism and courage. The 2020 recipients are:

  • Christopher Camacho, Department of Correction
  • Joshua Churchill, Department of Correction
  • Evan Taylor, Department of Transportation
  • William Forbes, Department of Transportation
  • Paula Thomas, Department of Health and Social Services
  • Amy Edwards, Department of Health and Social Services
  • Betty Jo Charles, Department of Health and Social Services
  • Sean McHale, Justice of the Peace Court

Detailed information about the award recipients can be found on the State of Delaware’s Employee Recognition webpage at https://dhr.delaware.gov/training/award/.

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DE529 Sees Improved Education Savings Plan Rating

Morningstar rating increased from Bronze to Silver in 2019

Following assessments and interviews, Morningstar, the nation’s premier plan rating group, has upgraded the DE529 plan from a Bronze to a Silver ranking. Delaware now joins an elite group of 13 Silver-rated plans.

“Through this elevated ranking, the leadership of the Plans Management Board and the hard work of our team are being noticed nation-wide for the service it provides residents,” said Treasurer Davis. “Being able to reduce our fees will make a big difference for participants and prospective plan-holders, and we hope to go for Gold in the future.”

A key component of Delaware’s high score was due to its administration – phasing out more expensive investment selections and adding a new offering of a blended investment option, which allows the accountholder to engage in both active and passive investment management. Additionally, DE529 is one of the lowest-cost educational investment options, and recently reduced administrative fees.

Morningstar conducts annual reviews of 62 plans, analyzing multiple categories within the given plan, as well as its management. Scores indicate a review of the plans’ investment options, management, contracted relationships, investment performance, and overall price of the plan. Only four plans receive a Gold rating from Morningstar.

Delaware’s 529 is a tax-advantaged savings plan that is available to the public, easy to open, and offer investment options so that savings may grow over time until they are used for associated costs including tuition, books, housing, apprenticeships and more. Learn more at 529.Delaware.Gov.