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These Are The 20 Delaware Teacher of the Year Finalists For 2025

Author Diana Beasley

There are 20 finalists up for the Delaware Teacher of the Year recognition for 2025.  On October 15th, the 20 teachers from across the First State will be honored at a celebration where one teacher will take home the crown.

Delaware Teacher of the Year

The candidates were nominated by their districts or the Delaware Charter Network during the 2025 calendar year.  Each finalist displays an ability to inspire students with a love of learning,  demonstration of professional traits and strong sense of dedication and devotion to teaching.

Each nominee submitted a detailed application exemplifying his or her teaching philosophy. Five Delaware Department of Education staff members independently evaluate each application. A former Delaware Teacher of the Year and department staff member observe each candidate in the classroom. Taking into consideration the ratings from the application review and observations as well as a recorded presentation by the nominee.  Another independent panel of non-department judges then selects the one teacher who will serve as the 2025 Delaware Teacher of the Year.

The teacher chosen to become the State Teacher of the Year will become Delaware’s nominee in the national program.  This is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers in partnership with the Voya Foundation.

The Delaware Teacher of the Year will receive a $5,000 grant to use for the educational benefit of their students, as well as a personal grant of $3,000.

Additionally, all nominees will receive a $2,000 grant from the state.

Delaware Teacher of the Year Celebration

The celebration begins with a social hour at 5 p.m. followed by a 6 p.m. dinner at Modern Maturity Center in Dover. The announcement comes at the end of the night. Information about live-streaming will be shared next month. Funding for the award ceremony is provided by a grant from Voya Financial and support from the Delaware General Assembly.

The 2025 Delaware Teacher of the Year Finalists

Appoquinimink: Tamara Walker of Redding Middle (mathematics)

Brandywine: Janette Madison of Springer Middle (mathematics)

Caesar Rodney: Kaysi Anderson of Simpson Elementary (fourth grade)

Cape Henlopen: Kristin (Krissy) Patton of Milton Elementary (literacy)

Capital: Abdallah Celestin of Dover High (French)

Charter Network: Stephanie Sherman of Sussex Academy (science)

Christina: Stacey DiIenno of Marshall Elementary (kindergarten)

Colonial: Shelby Borst of William Penn High (social studies)

Delmar: Ashley Bennett of Delmar Middle (mathematics)

Indian River: Deborah Treherne of Howard T. Ennis School (special education)

Lake Forest: Brent E. Carter of Chipman Middle (English language arts)

Laurel: Joseph Wenke of Laurel High (English language arts)

Milford:  Diana Dill of Mispillion Elementary (first grade)

New Castle County Vo-Tech: Bradford Paik of Howard High School of Technology (science)

POLYTECH: Emily Green of POLYTECH High (social studies)

Red Clay Consolidated: Kristen Tosh-Morelli of Forest Oak, Johnson, Marbrook and Richey elementary schools (band)

Seaford: Brent Evans of Central Elementary (fourth grade)

Smyrna: Lauren Steerman of Sunnyside Elementary (kindergarten)

Sussex Technical: Meghan Feliciani of Sussex Technical High (English language arts)

Woodbridge: Kelly Ruse of Woodbridge High (art)

View photos of each Delaware Teacher of the Year finalist here.

5 Fast-Food Items That Need To Make A Comeback

  • Snack Wraps - McDonald's

    https://youtu.be/wy9lMmxNh-o?si=e9WXL-ksKNEXOm4i You probably expected to see this on the list and I can’t not include it. Seriously, people don’t talk about fast-food items that need to make a comeback without talking about McDonald’s Snack Wraps. They were a COVID casualty and the restaurant chain has blamed supply chain issues for it not making its return to menus across the country. People keep asking and asking but it hasn’t happened yet. They’ll create a new value bundle but won’t give us our Snack Wraps. It’s going to happen one day, I just hope it’s soon.

  • Twister - KFC

    https://youtu.be/1oNf6NOQCFU?si=J1_VPlwNYiv56sUT The Twister at KFC might have been one of my favorite fast-food menu items of all-time and sadly you can’t get them anymore. They were different than your ordinary Chicken Wraps and even better than the previously mentioned Snack Wraps, if I do say so myself. The chicken was crispy and delicious, the lettuce was also crispy and delicious, but it was that spice that got your attention. It wasn’t overwhelming but you knew it was there. It was the perfect flavor. I miss it every day.

  • Big Montana - Arby's

    https://youtu.be/_oT3VHK0X2w?si=Zix2uBa5G56-WNn7 Saving Silverman is one of my favorite movies and every time I watch it I’m reminded of the monster roast beef sandwich that was Arby’s Big Montana. It always looks so tasty when Amanda Peet’s character Judith eats one. Sure, Amanda adds to why it looks so good, but you can’t help but to want a bite. This thing was huge! It was a half-pound of Roast Beef! That’s probably why they ended up having to pull it off menus. They still have the meats, but back then they REALLY had the meats.

  • Double Chalupa - Taco Bell

    https://youtu.be/eQkFvfiWNpI?si=eVEoQlnRYPwm0XMU It wasn’t very long ago that we were enjoying Double Chalupas at Taco Bell. They were seemingly double the size of an ordinary Chalupa and resembled a boat. Yes, a taco boat! How tasty is that? It also had Nacho Cheese on it, which makes me miss their Nacho Cheese Chalupa. I loved the big version of the popular taco. It wasn’t long ago that they had it on menus, and it always could make a comeback. I wouldn’t be surprised. Taco Bell seems to understand the assignment and give people what they want.

  • Szechuan Sauce - McDonald's

    Of course Szechuan Sauce makes the list! The people need it to come back! It’s one of the best sauces not only that McDonald’s has ever released but in all of fast-food! The sauce made its debut in 1998 as a promotion for Disney’s Mulan and then took a nearly 20-year hiatus before coming back thanks to a Rick and Morty promotion. People again went crazy for it during its limited release and would horde the sauce. Hopefully it will return for good one day because it’s that good. Mmm how I miss that garlicky spicy goodness. It’s truly one-of-a-kind.

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Author Diana Beasley
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