Friends, family honor Sussex Academy’s Oliphant

Friends, family and colleagues gathered at Lewes Yacht Club recently to honor Sussex Academy Executive Director Patricia Oliphant on her retirement and 50 years in public education in Delaware.

Oliphant began her career as an English teacher in Indian River School District, worked as an administrator for that district and principal at Woodbridge, and for the Delaware State Education Association. She finished her career as one of the founding administrators for Sussex Academy, where she served in the school’s top position for 16 years. During those years with Sussex County’s only charter school, Oliphant guided Sussex Academy to become one of the state’s premier middle schools in statewide testing scores. She also played a major role in transitioning the school from a middle school to a middle school plus high school.

In a Delaware Senate Tribute initiated by Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, and presented at the gathering by Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown, it was noted that Sussex Academy is the only charter school in the state to receive a 10-year charter following its initial years of operation.

Oliphant spoke glowingly of her faculty and staff at Sussex Academy. “Good teachers are critical to children’s development. Bad teachers can set a child back two years in one year. The faculty at Sussex Academy is the best I’ve ever worked with.”

She also thanked the Sussex Academy Foundation and its Chairman Joe Schell for supporting the school. “Quality education builds quality communities,” said Oliphant. “That’s Joe Schell’s belief, and I’m right there with him on that.”

Susan Bunting, former superintendent of Indian River School District and current secretary of Delaware's Department of Education, spoke highly of her colleague. “I worked with Trish and for her for most of her 50 years. We taught together at Indian River, and then in 1978, along with other teachers, I worked with her and Delaware’s Department of Education to start the state’s first gifted and talented program. I worked under her when she was an administrator in the Indian River central office. Then, when I became a superintendent, Trish was on the school board and she was my boss once again. I credit her for what I am today,” said Bunting. “Her guiding philosophy was always to do what is best for the children, and that became mine as well.”

Oliphant gave great credit to her students. “The children have taught me about my humanity, and about theirs.”