Nominate Colonial School District’s Next Teacher of the Year!

Do you know a classroom teacher who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? If so, please take the time to recommend this person for his/her school’s 2025 – 2026 Teacher of the Year by completing and submitting this nomination form. Administrators, staff members, parents, and community members are encouraged to participate.

Please note: All nominations will be reviewed for eligibility per state guidelines. Eligible nominees will be shared with each school in their selection of a building-level Teacher of the Year. Colonial School District’s Teacher of the Year will be selected from among those candidates. School and District Teachers of the Year will be announced in May 2025.

Nominations are now closed

Each candidate will be scored based on the criteria below:

• Has a superior ability to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn
• 
Is an exceptionally skilled and dedicated educator in a Colonial School
• Has the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues

• Demonstrates a strong ability to foster excellence in education as evidenced by ongoing contributions to the improvement of student learning and the learning environment

If you have questions or comments please email Dr. Nick Baker, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, at nicholas.baker@colonial.k12.de.us

 2025 Colonial School District  Teacher of the Year

Shelby Borst

Social Studies Teacher – William Penn High School

With a psychology degree in hand, Shelby Borst wondered what career path to take until she observed and assisted a teacher in a middle school classroom. “I decided on the spot that I will be an educator who supports, empathizes, and challenges young minds. I want young people to know that someone cares about them.”  Borst is honored to be named William Penn’s Teacher of the Year calling her nomination surreal adding, “I grew up in a culture of working hard, even when no one is watching. To know that students, families, and colleagues not only notice but praise my role in our school community means the world to me.” Borst likes to keep students engaged with creative lessons, activities, and classroom practices. She also cherishes the day-to-day exchanges she has with students saying, “Big moments surely weigh on my mind. But, so many times when I think about what I enjoy most, I think about the little moments that are easy to miss; like the sound of the bell at 7:04 am when the halls fill with students, visibly going from sleepy-eyed to bright-eyed when they see me standing outside of my door to

offer them a ‘good morning.’ It is a privilege to relish in the small in-between moments that just exude joy and life”. Borst knows what it’s like being a student in Colonial. She attended Southern Elementary and Gunning Bedford Middle School before her family moved out of the district and says, “I returned to the Colonial School District because of its community.

Colonial creates a sense of community in every strand of its intricate web. Everyone in this district puts time, effort, and heart into what we do by providing access and opportunity to every student enrolled and every educator hired. Simply put, nothing is more rewarding than being an educator!”