Educational Support Professional of the Year to be named Dec. 7

Lewes Elementary paraeducator Brittany Hoeller is one of 20 educational support professionals vying for a statewide honor to be named by the Delaware Department of Education at Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Hoeller, now in her third year supporting the school reading specialist at Lewes Elementary, is representing the Cape Henlopen School District as its Educational Support Person of the Year. 

The Delaware State Educational Support Professional of the Year program recognizes outstanding service by school employees who provide direct or indirect services to students and their families.

“Educational support professionals are vital to the success of our schools,” said Secretary of Education Mark Holodick. “Their work is often behind the scenes and rarely gets the recognition it deserves. I’m honored to have the opportunity to celebrate these outstanding employees and spotlight the important roles they and the colleagues they represent play supporting our school communities.”

Employees considered for the award include paraprofessionals, custodial staff, secretaries, nutritional staff, information technology staff, and school- and district-employed bus drivers and bus aides. Each district winner receives a $2,000 personal award from their district. District winners go on to the state contest.

The 2023 state winner will take over the title from 2022 Delaware Educational Support Professional of the Year David Thomas, computer lab/technology paraprofessional at Lake Forest East Elementary School. The state winner receives an additional $3,000 personal award from DOE as well as $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of their students.

The state winner will be announced at Delaware’s first statewide Educational Support Professional of the Year celebration on Dec. 7 in Dover. The event will be livestreamed on DOE’s YouTube and Facebook accounts following the dinner portion of the evening shortly after 7 p.m.