Gillespie named IR district support professional of the year
Gwendolyn Gillespie of Georgetown Elementary School has been named the Indian River School District Educational Support Professional of the Year for 2021-22.
Gillespie is a paraprofessional who works with special needs students in Georgetown Elementary’s Intensive Learning Center. Gillespie’s colleagues describe her as an exceptional team player whose support has helped numerous students make tremendous gains both academically and socially. She has been praised for the compassion, patience and dedication she exhibits in her work with students and staff.
“The many students that I’m involved with in the elementary setting are priceless,” said Gillespie. “To know that I’m a part of their learning is beyond words. My philosophy is, and always will be, we as educators have been chosen to make a difference in every student’s life. We must meet the needs of every student who is under our care for the seven-and-a-half hours we are all together during that day.”
The State of Delaware launched this recognition program in 2020 to recognize the exemplary efforts of school employees in a support position. Gillespie was chosen as the Indian River School District’s overall winner from a pool of 16 candidates, one from each school and the district office. She will now compete for the 2022 Delaware State Educational Support Professional of the Year.
Indian River School District school winners are Lynn Baker, Long Neck Elementary; Sylvia Baker, district office; Ashley Bennett, Lord Baltimore; Jamaal Bivens, Indian River High School; Eddie Bowen, Millsboro Middle; Lenny Brittingham, Georgetown Middle; Chris Budesheim, Howard T. Ennis School; Gwendolyn Gillespie, Georgetown Elementary, overall winner; Esque Hodge, Southern Delaware School of the Arts; Amy Johnson, Selbyville Middle; Colette Press-Spady, East Millsboro Elementary; Cassie Queen, John M. Clayton Elementary; Randy Ramirez, Sussex Central High School; Tara Richards, Phillip C. Showell Elementary; Maria Rodriguez, North Georgetown Elementary; and Dan Shively, IRSD Early Learning Center.
