Sussex Central’s Brandon McCabe named Teacher of the Year

Brandon McCabe of Sussex Central High School has been selected as the Indian River School District Teacher of the Year for 2020-21.

McCabe was chosen as the district’s overall winner from a pool of 15 candidates, one from each school.

An agricultural structures and engineering teacher at Sussex Central High School since 2010, McCabe teaches students about the construction, plumbing, electrical, HVAC and masonry trades. He also serves as a department chair and an FFA advisor, coaching students to compete in a variety of career development events. He has been treasurer of the Delaware FFA Foundation since April 2015 and vice president of the Sussex Central FFA Alumni Association since March 2014.

McCabe holds a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and a master’s degree in agricultural education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He also holds a master’s degree in educational technology from American College of Education. He was an assistant baseball coach at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore from 2006-08, and a coach and lead hitting instructor for the High Heat traveling baseball club in Salisbury, Md., from 2008-15.

“I have known Brandon for over a decade and can attest that he exemplifies the best traits that educators have to offer to the teaching profession,” said Bradley Layfield, Sussex Central High School principal. “Brandon models continuous professional growth, and has accepted a leadership role within his PLC and our school's award-winning Agricultural Science CTE pathway. Brandon has also been a leader with the implementation of professional learning and through mentoring novice teachers. Most impressive is Brandon's willingness to take on new roles and push students to reach their potential.” 

Layfield said, “Brandon is truly a reflective practitioner as he analyzes student assessment data in order to drive instruction and best meet the needs of all the students he serves. Throughout Brandon's career at Sussex Central High School, he has participated in and led initiatives from learning focused instructional strategies and curriculum development to experiential learning opportunities. Brandon is not only one of Sussex Central's greatest examples of a highly effective teacher, he is truly one of the best educators in our district. Anyone who enters his classroom will discover that this is evident from his consistent and pervasive use of instructional best practices each and every day he interacts with students.”

Teacher of the Year winners from each district school are Amy Workman, East Millsboro Elementary; 
Jenna Kirk, Georgetown Elementary; Jaime Swartz, John M. Clayton Elementary; Emily Rae, Long Neck Elementary; Mary Kreger, Lord Baltimore Elementary; Angela Nicki Robbins, North Georgetown Elementary; Heather McCabe, Phillip C. Showell Elementary; 
Eric McGuire, Georgetown Middle; Jenna Faller, Millsboro Middle; 
Amanda Mitchell, Selbyville Middle; 
Michelle Elliott, Indian River High School
; Amanda Swain, Southern Delaware School of the Arts; 
Sara Colmorgen, Howard T. Ennis; and Lindsay Hudson-Hubbs, G.W. Carver Academy.

As the district’s Teacher of the Year, McCabe is now eligible for the state Teacher of the Year Award, which will be announced in October.