Appoquinimink Teacher Named Delaware Teacher Of The Year 2024
A high school engineering and science teacher from the Appoquinimink School District named Delaware Teacher of the Year for 2024.
Cory Hafer of Middletown High School now is Delaware’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year. Governor John Carney made the announcement during a Dover ceremony to honor the 20 district/charter teachers of the year.
Hafer will use his position to advocate for the importance of building student connections.
“We need to build deep connections by ensuring that all our actions help students feel welcome and supported. When students break norms, we should develop consequences with students that help them restore harm done and learn from mistakes. The grading systems we use should align with this growth mindset. Each day we need to remind our students they matter, listen to their concerns, and allow them to guide their learning,” Hafer said. “Our ultimate goal should be to have sufficient connections with our students that they feel comfortable being themselves and confident asking for support. Without these connections, other learning strategies and efforts to develop strong lessons will not meet the needs of all learners.”
Corey Hafer
Hafer graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in molecular, cellular and developmental biology before earning his Master of Arts in biology teaching from Columbia University’s Teachers College. He taught at schools in New York, Massachusetts and Michigan before joining the Middletown High School faculty in 2019.
Hafer inherits from outgoing State Teacher of the Year Ashley Lockwood the responsibility of representing all teachers in Delaware. He will address community groups, business leaders, legislators, and educational organizations to inform the public about the status of Delaware schools. He also will become Delaware’s candidate in the National Teacher of the Year Program, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers sponsored by the Voya Foundation.
Delaware Teacher of the Year
By action of the General Assembly, he will receive a $5,000 grant to use for the educational benefit of her students, as well as two personal grants totaling an additional $5,000. The remaining 19 school district/charter honorees each will receive a personal grant of $2,000. All 20 teachers also received gifts from Advantech Incorporated and their district superintendents or the Delaware Charter Network.
Hafer also received gifts from the Office of U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, the Delaware School Boards Association, Delaware State Education Association and Delaware State Teachers of the Year Association; State of Delaware Teacher of the Year commemorative plates from the Division of Motor Vehicles; a full doctorate program from University of Delaware and Wilmington University; and a 10-karat gold ring from Jostens.