New members join teachers advisory council

Secretary of Education Susan Bunting welcomes the second cohort of her teachers advisory council to gather feedback of educators from across the state.

Established last year, the council includes up to two teachers from each of the state’s 19 school districts and up to six charter school educators. Bunting aims for the group to facilitate communication, contribute to solutions, and help increase the voice of teachers in policy decisions.

“I greatly value the opportunity to hear directly from those who work closest with our children,” said Bunting, who also meets bimonthly with current and past district/charter and state Teachers of the Year. “These educators see firsthand how our policy decisions are working in our schools.”

Advisory council members are recommended by their superintendents or the Delaware Charter School Network for the voluntary role. Bunting asks each to share his or her personal feelings as an individual rather than serve as a representative of a district or charter school’s position on an issue.

Local school members of the 2019-20 council are: Greg Berman of Cape Henlopen High School and Shorel Clark of H.O. Brittingham Elementary, Cape Henlopen; Karen Willey of Sussex Academy; Dana Lambert of Lord Baltimore Elementary and Clarissa Oglesby of Sussex Central High School, Indian River; and Carolyn Maull and Tony Varrato of Sussex Technical High School. 

The group will meet every other month to discuss a variety of issues affecting teachers.