2021 Delaware Teacher of the Year to be named Oct. 13
Delaware teachers will learn Tuesday, Oct. 13, who will represent the state as the 2021 Teacher of the Year.
Cape district Teacher of the Year, Milton Elementary first-grade Spanish immersion teacher Jorge Moreno Jaen, is one of 20 Delaware public school or charter teachers vying for the top honor.
The virtual award program begins at 6 p.m., with the announcement coming at the end of the night. Watch the program on Comcast Channel 28 or online via DETV and Delaware Department of Education’s social media pages.
Candidates were nominated by their districts or the Delaware Charter Network during the 2020 calendar year because of their superior ability to inspire students with a love of learning, exemplary demonstration of professional traits, and strong sense of dedication and devotion to teaching, DOE officials said.
Each nominee submitted an online application illustrating his or her teaching philosophy. Five DOE staff members independently evaluated each application. Because COVID-19 prevented classroom observations that are typically part of the process, teachers were interviewed by a panel of former state Teachers of the Year and department staff members.
Another independent panel of non-department judges considered ratings from the application review, interviews, and recorded presentations by nominees to select the 2021 Delaware Teacher of the Year.
The state Teacher of the Year will become Delaware's nominee in the national program, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers in partnership with the Voya Foundation.
By action of the General Assembly, the Delaware Teacher of the Year will receive a $5,000 grant to use for the educational benefit of his or her students, and a personal grant of $3,000. All nominees will receive a $2,000 grant from the state.
