We are lucky that Stell Parker Selby, born in Milford, is running to represent District 20 in the Delaware Legislature. Raised in Lewes and Milton, she is not only well known, but also very knowledgeable about the challenges, priorities and goals of those living in the Milton, Lewes and Rehoboth areas.
Looking ahead, a challenge is meeting the educational needs of these communities as more and more open farmlands are converted to housing. Not only does she have a master’s in education instruction from the University of Delaware, she also is certified in the field of education and public school administration. In 1970, she served first as a full-time teacher in the newly formed Cape Henlopen School District, then as an administrator for grades K-12; and later as an administrative intern in Shields Elementary, assistant principal and principal at Rehoboth Elementary School, Cape Henlopen High School and at Booker T. Washington Elementary School in the Capital School District. She also served as a district level administrator in the Departments of Human Resources and Community Services, Mentoring and School Climate Issues in the Cape Henlopen School District.
Stell has a long history of involvement in what is now District 20 as a past member of the Milton Historical Society board, president of the Cape Henlopen school board, AARP Local Advisory Committee, Beebe Medical Center board for 16 years, Milton Theatre Advisory Board and the Delaware Technical Community College Developmental Council. She’s also past chair of the Sussex YMCA board in Rehoboth, past chair of the Rehoboth Art League Cottage Tour, and as councilwoman and vice mayor of Milton Town Council. She is presently on the board of the Milton Community Foundation.
She is no stranger to serving at the state level, which is why she will be so effective serving in the House. She’s been on the board of the Delaware Historical Society, director of student teaching at Delaware State University, the board of the Delaware Retired School Personnel Association, the board of the Kent and Sussex Symphony Committee and a member of the Delaware Law Education Committee. She’s been a member of the Association for Supervision of Curriculum and Development, Delaware Administrator Standards Committee. She served on the First State Testing Committee, and testified before the U.S. Joint Finance Committee about the Saving for Education Through Tax Sheltered Plans initiative.
Having lived in Milton for 20 years, I welcome Stell’s open mind, open heart, attention to detail and follow-up, and that she is accessible to everyone. As an educator, she knows the importance of hearing all sides when considering an issue. I particularly welcome her concern about the loss of farmland, the need for a healthy environment to protect public health, and the need for more health workers, and that they can afford to live nearby. I have never endorsed a candidate in my entire life, but Stell represents what is best about public service: a willingness to act on behalf of the common good and to empower others.
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