Cape Teacher of the Year to be named May 14
The Cape Henlopen School District will announce its 2026 Teacher of the Year Wednesday, May 14, at a special celebration honoring teachers earning building-level honors.
Teachers vying for the top honor include: Gregory Berman, Frederick Thomas Middle; John Parker, Beacon Middle; Conception García, H.O. Brittingham Elementary; Jennifer Williams, Sussex Consortium; Kaitlyn Nelson, Mariner Middle; Christopher Burkhart, Cape High; Marybeth Peet, Lewes Elementary; Tina Windsor, Rehoboth Elementary; Kelley Burton, Milton Elementary; and Déborah García, Love Creek Elementary.
The district teacher of the year will vie for the 2026 Delaware Teacher of the Year, which will be announced in the fall.
Fred Thomas Middle business education teacher Greg Berman holds a master’s in instructional design and technology from the American College of Education, a master’s in secondary education from Wilmington University and a bachelor's in business administration from the University of Delaware. Berman is Praxis-certified to teach business education and Spanish. He is an active leader, currently serving as advisor for FTMS’s National Junior Honor Society and Student Council. He received recognition as Cape Henlopen High School’s Teacher of the Year in 2016. Berman spent over a decade at Cape High as a Spanish teacher, where he designed individualized lesson plans, developed instructional materials and integrated cultural elements into language instruction to enhance student engagement.
Beacon Middle special education teacher John M. Parker was born and raised in Sussex County in a close-knit family with three sisters. He was hired as a paraeducator at the Sussex County Opportunity Program in Education in 2006 and began coaching football and weightlifting at Woodbridge High School. This is where he learned the importance of commitment, dedication, positivity, and relationship building in the educational and athletic settings. Upon earning a bachelor’s degree from Wilmington University, he began working on his master’s degree in education. Meanwhile, Parker accepted a library manager position within the Cape Henlopen School District. Parker remained in these positions until completing his master’s degree and being hired as a special education teacher in 2019.
H.O. Brittingham Elementary Spanish immersion education Conchi García holds a bachelor's degree in teaching English as a second language from the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. She also earned a master’s degree in teaching Spanish as a foreign language and a second master’s degree in information and communication technologies applied to education, both from the Valencian International University. Her journey in education began in 2012 when she taught ESL to students at a language academy. In 2013, she transitioned to a charter school in Spain. In 2017, García moved to the United States to serve as a Spanish immersion teacher. She was one of the first two Spanish immersion educators in the Cape district, where she started as a kindergarten teacher. For three years, she served as the immersion leader at H.O.B.
Sussex Consortium early childhood special education teacher Jennifer Williams has a passion for her field of specialty. With 10 years in education, Williams advocates for students with special needs. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood special education and is pursuing a doctoral program in building leadership at Wilmington University. She is also working towards national board certification. She holds leadership roles as a Pyramid Support Team member, PLC leader and mentor teacher. She contributes to the professional development of substitute teachers and helps plan school-wide events that connect students with the community. At the Little Vikings Learning Center, Williams’ compassionate approach has made her a highly requested teacher.
Mariner Middle seventh-grade language arts teacher Kaitlyn Nelson pursued her dream of becoming a middle school teacher through Wilmington University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in middle-level education in 2020. She recently pursued a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Western Governor’s University to further her skillset. She graduated in February, becoming the first in her family to hold a graduate degree. Nelson currently serves as a team lead in the seventh grade, is committed to finding innovative ways to showcase student creativity in reading and writing, serves on a committee that serves to bring joy and encouragement to staff members, and has mentored future educators.
Chris Burkhart has been the director of bands at Cape High since 2013. Chris conducts the Cape wind bands, jazz ensembles and athletic bands. He also teaches music technology and music theory. In Burkhart’s time at Cape the instrumental program has added a second wind band, a second jazz band and a percussion ensemble along with a chamber music program and AP Music Theory course. Cape music ensembles regularly perform at concerts and festivals throughout Delaware and the wider Mid-Atlantic region. Cape Jazz I was selected to perform for the NAfME Eastern Division Conference in Rochester, N.Y., in 2023. Burkhart has previously held teaching positions at elementary and middle schools in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Lewes Elementary educator Marybeth Peet is committed to supporting all learners and building their confidence to succeed. She believes every child deserves to feel seen and valued, and strives to be a constant source of motivation. At the core of Peet’s teaching philosophy is her belief that teachers are champions. She champions students by meeting them where they are, adapting her approach to fit individual needs. She extends this championship spirit to fellow educators, enthusiastically cheering on colleagues and modeling positivity during challenging times. Peet believes in the power of teamwork between educators, families, and students—creating a winning alliance for success. She maintains an unwavering focus on keeping students at the center despite educators' growing responsibilities.
Tina Windsor teaches fifth-grade ELA and social studies at Rehoboth Elementary. She is pursuing a doctor of education in educational leadership at Wilmington University. She also holds a master’s degree in primary education. Certified in K-6 and elementary special education, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to inclusive and dynamic learning environments. She has been recognized for her dedication to student achievement and community engagement, and she has spearheaded numerous programs, CAPE Club After-School Reading/Math, Rehoboth Sands Newspaper and festival of learning. She’s a C3 presenter and university student teacher mentor. Her commitment to literacy outreach is evident through her CHEF grant award, which distributes books to community centers.
Milton Elementary second-grade teacher Kelley Burton earned a degree in elementary education and ESL from Millersville University. Burton embraced her role as an elementary multilingual learner teacher, in which she collaborates with students, colleagues and parents to foster an inclusive environment where every student and their family feels welcomed and valued. One of Burton's earliest experiences in a classroom occurred as an undergraduate, working in a kindergarten classroom in Center City Philadelphia. She was deeply moved by the challenges these young students faced at home, grappling with food insecurity and infestations. Yet, amidst these hardships, the children exhibited extraordinary resilience. She realized her true calling was to inspire and support children in overcoming their obstacles.
Love Creek Elementary Spanish immersion teacher Déborah García holds two bachelor's degrees in Spanish and English language and literature, an associate’s degree in elementary education and curriculum, a master's degree in multiple intelligences theory, and is currently completing a second master’s degree in teaching Spanish as a second language. A passionate educator with nearly 30 years experience in Spain and the U.S., she brings deep knowledge, humility and heart to her role at Love Creek. Known for her generosity and service, she freely offers translation help, supports colleagues and assists families with compassion and grace. Whether organizing cultural showcases, mentoring peers or comforting a struggling child, she leads with empathy and joy.
