Kerry Zeager is proud and grateful to represent Carrie Downie Elementary School as Teacher of the Year, especially after being employed by the Colonial School District for just five years. The nomination is equally special because Zeager moved with her 3rd-grade students to a 4th-grade classroom. As a child, she fondly remembers that grades 3 through 5 were her favorite adding, “I want to give that same childhood experience I had to my own students.” Zeager is intentional about making memorable experiences in her classroom saying, “My educational philosophy and how I reach my students is teaching through engaging activities and questioning. I believe students learn best when they feel challenged and have engaging activities to complete,” she says. Zeager was also intentional about deciding to be an educator in Colonial Nation, “I came from another district after my first year and chose Colonial because of its message of inclusivity and equity. I feel supported by my families and staff members which allows me to best teach my class and enjoy coming into school every day.

I am truly thankful!

Charlene Jackson is Teacher of the Year at Wilmington Manor Elementary School where she has taught for 24 years with no regrets. “I have started every school year with the mindset of needing to build and foster good relationships with my students. Once those relationships are built a teacher can be more successful in educating their students,” she says. This veteran educator knows what it takes to reach children in her classroom, “My main focus is to learn as much as I can about my students, their hobbies, interests, and their families. If I notice things we have in common I share those similarities with them. I also believe that creating a sense of community allows students to feel safe in our space where they can participate and voice their opinions freely. In regards to teaching, I love to try and insert any real-world applications, examples, or personal experiences.” Jackson loves making a difference in the lives of students and takes special joy in seeing her students excel. “I will never forget the year when a former student, who was a junior at William Penn, came back to Manor and asked me to come see her get inducted into the National Honor Society. For me, the impact I make is greater than the money I could make in other industries!”.

Audrey Lao could attribute her career choice to her family of educators, her love of children, or to her desire to make all students feel safe and accepted, but in addition to that, Lao has to confess the comical movie “Kindergarten Cop” convinced her to become a teacher saying simply, “Teaching has never looked so cool!  Wilbur’s Teacher of the Year loves to infuse humor in her classroom along with love and compassion for her students, “My goal is to create a classroom environment where students feel safe – Safe to be themselves without judgment, safe to dare to try new things, and safe to make mistakes without diminishing their self-worth.” Lao acknowledges that teaching isn’t for the faint at heart but says, “Knowing that your efforts can truly make a difference in these children and family’s lives helps me stay positive and reassures me that this is the place for me.” While other careers may pay more Lao, like most educators says money can’t measure the rewards she gets from teaching, “I choose teaching above any other profession because it’s where my heart is invested.  I know how important my role is in this community. I know firsthand how life-changing a teacher can be!”. 

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!”

Katie Barrett says teaching is in her DNA so she’s honored to be named Teacher of the Year at New Castle Elementary School. “I have always known that I wanted to be a teacher since I was a child. I played school all the way up until high school!” Barrett is a 2nd-grade teacher who focuses on building relationships with her students and their families saying, “Every child is unique in their own way and deserves to be taught and treated based on their own individuality and needs. I show up, remain consistent, give them grace, exhibit patience, and have empathy while being authentic and genuine. Each year I want my students to know they are safe and loved, and  I will be their cheerleader for life!” Barrett is also a cheerleader for her school, “At New Castle Elementary we are a family. The support, feedback, guidance, and motivation from my mentors, colleagues, and administration throughout the years has helped to shape me into the teacher I am today.” Barrett’s love for her students has turned her work into a passion, “My students are why I choose to be an educator!”

Jessica Kibblehouse is proud to be the Teacher of the Year at Colonial’s Early Education Program (CEEP), especially since being nominated by the parents of her students. “Sometimes it feels like our hard work goes unnoticed, but having parents take the time to nominate me and share such kind words meant a lot.” Kibblehouse started working in Colonial as a paraprofessional at Leach. She says she fell in love with the preschoolers at nearby CEEP where she has been a pre-school teacher for the last six years. She credits her father with introducing her to the merits of being an educator after he taught in the Colonial School District for 30 years, “the district has always been a part of our family,” she says. Kibblehouse intentionally makes learning fun for her little Colonials and enjoys being their first experience at school. “I want to be remembered as someone who puts the needs of the students first and as a team player who values working as a classroom team.”  While other professions may pay more, Kibblehouse is happy to be the first teacher her preschool students encounter, and she works hard to make that experience memorable saying, “I choose to stay because I love my students!”

Marlowe Woodfin has childhood memories of pretending to be a teacher with a classroom of stuffed animals. Today,  those pretend days are long over and after 11 years of teaching elementary school students, Woodfin is being recognized as Teacher of the Year at Southern Elementary School. “I feel very honored to be nominated. I am lucky to work with so many amazing staff members, so to be chosen to represent my school is overwhelming but rewarding,” she says. Woodfin works hard to build a sense of community and structure with her second-grade students. “A guiding principle for me is the power of connection. Students need more than somebody to teach them curriculum, they need to have a teacher who builds a relationship with them, makes them feel safe and loved, and pushes them to reach their full potential.  Woodfin is passionate about teaching and collaborating with fellow teachers, and she hopes her time with students will leave them with long-lasting memories. “I want my students to remember me as somebody who cared about them, and hopefully made an impact on their educational journey. Colonial is an amazing place to work and for students to learn!”

Laura McCarter is Teacher of the Year at Castle Hills Elementary School. “I was surprised to be chosen, but I’m so excited to represent such an amazing school!” she says. McCarter grew up wanting to be a teacher just like her mother who teaches preschool saying, “I always loved hearing stories about her students and how she was able to help them learn and grow.” McCarter teaches 1st-grade and special education students at Castle Hills where she says her classroom is a safe place for students to learn, even when they make mistakes.  “Learning and growing is messy. The highest rate of growth comes when students feel enough trust in their teacher and learning environment to make mistakes and grow from them. In my classroom, my students have built strong enough relationships with me and each other that they can feel comfortable learning through those mistakes.”  Like most educators, McCarter is  well aware other career paths are more lucrative but says, “The value that comes out of making such a large, positive impact on the next generation is worth way more than money to me!”

Brandon Hughes never planned to have a career in teaching so it’s no wonder he was surprised and honored to be named the 2024 Teacher of the Year at John G. Leach. “Teaching found me…I decided to try it and found an instant love for teaching. It has been the best career choice that I have made.” Hughes has been a special education teacher for 11 years and says working with students who have complex needs is rewarding, “There is no better feeling than seeing our students’ progress. There is no such thing as minor progress. Being able to see a student grasp a concept, or reach a goal…that stays with you. That makes all the hard work with it!”  Hughes calls Colonial’s Power of WE mantra a way of life rather than a slogan adding, “The students are at the forefront of the decisions being made… We have to meet the students where they are. I take the time to learn about my students individually. I discover who they are, where they come from, and what they care about. I have found that when we show that we care about them as an individual, then they are open to learning.” Hughes believes everyone can learn when given the opportunity to do so and he hopes to be remembered as someone who strives to help other succeed saying, “ I find value in the ability to help others reach their full potential. Plus, the wealth of knowledge and understanding that I get from teaching is more than I could ever ask for!”

Natalia Tovar is a proud Columbian immigrant who knows the value of a good education. “I saw how a high-quality education gave my dad the opportunity to move to a new country to give his family a better life. I see constantly how an education takes people out of poverty and abusive situations. Does getting an education solve every problem under the sun? No. But I always say to my students that it is the one thing that is most likely to get them out of a bad situation,” she says. Tovar, a 7th-grade social studies teacher, loves to learn as much as she loves to teach. She is now taking classes to earn a master’s degree in Economic Education and says, “I sometimes joke that I miss being a full-time student because I love learning so much, but I’m lucky because I get to learn content while on the job. Aside from that, I learn so much from the students that I teach.” Tovar applauds the Colonial School District for giving teachers autonomy in the classroom adding, “On top of that, our focus on equity gives me motivation to fight for our students at every level every day. Being the only Hispanic teacher in my building, I have the privilege of connecting with students on a much deeper level. The focus on equity has made me feel comfortable opening up about my experiences as an immigrant in this country which empowers my own students.” As for being named Teacher of the Year at George Read Middle School, she says simply “I am inspired to continue doing the work!”