Delaware Teacher of the Year to be named Oct. 15
Delaware teachers will learn Tuesday, Oct. 15, who will represent the state as the 2020 Teacher of the Year.
Cape district Teacher of the Year, Shields Elementary English as a second language teacher Brennan Clarke, is one of 20 Delaware public school teachers vying for the top honor, to be announced at the annual awards banquet at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino.
Shields Elementary Principal Kimberly Corbidge said Clarke is a champion of students who makes Shields a better place to learn and work. “Brennan is a quiet leader and a crucial part of Shields’ success,” Corbidge said. “He is an intricate part in welcoming our ESL families and students into our school community and making them part of our family.”
Corbidge said Clake is admired by staff and humble about his accomplishments. “We are so excited that he could possibly be the state Teacher of the Year,” she said. “We have a van of staff going up to the dinner!”
Candidates were nominated by their districts or the charter network during the 2019 calendar year. Nominees submitted online portfolios detailing their teaching philosophy, which were evaluated by Delaware Department of Education staff. A former state Teacher of the Year and department staff also observed each candidate's classroom.
Another independent panel of judges then evaluated teachers’ portfolio ratings, classroom observations and recorded presentations to select Delaware’s 2019 Teacher of the Year.
Delaware’s Teacher of the Year will be Delaware's nominee in the national program, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers in partnership with the Voya Foundation. Delaware’s Teacher of the Year receives a $5,000 grant to use for the educational benefit of students and a personal grant of $3,000. All nominees receive a $2,000 grant from the state.
