Education in the First State |
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Students invited to Governor's Summer Fellowship Program |
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Governor John Carney today announced Delaware’s first-ever Governor’s Summer Fellowship Program for Delaware high school students. The Governor’s Summer Fellowship Program provides paid camp counselor opportunities for Delaware high school seniors and juniors. Along with real-world experience, fellows will receive paid work opportunities at community-based summer camps in each county and the ability to network with state leaders and elected officials.
“There’s nothing more important than making sure that all Delaware children have the chance to excel,” said Governor Carney. “The Summer Fellows will gain paid work opportunities and valuable life experiences. I’m looking forward to meeting with the inaugural class. Thanks to the Department of Education and the United Way of Delaware for their coordination on this project.”
Summer Fellows will gain real-world experience in education, community, and State Government as well as receive academic credit for their participation in the program.
“This program is a ‘win’ on so many levels,” said Dr. Mark Holodick, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education. “It gives our high school students – and potential future educators – the opportunity to earn money gaining valuable work experience this summer while also helping our community-based organizations with a critical workforce challenge so they can provide quality summer experiences to our younger students.”
“The Governor’s Fellowship Program is a compelling opportunity,” said Michelle Taylor, President and CEO of United Way of Delaware. “Young leaders learn how Delaware’s key decision makers drive change, while helping others close the academic achievement gap. For a young person eager to lift up their own community while gaining firsthand experience regarding public service, the Governor’s Fellowship Program is a doorway to opportunity, and a win-win for participants and the students they help. I can’t recommend the program enough and encourage all eligible students to apply.”
Applications for the Governor’s Summer Fellowship Program will be accepted on a rolling basis starting today, May 25. Prospective fellows must be committed to working for the duration of the program which runs from June 21, 2022 until August 12, 2022.
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Caesar Rodney students win national culinary competition |
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Students from Caesar Rodney and Seaford high schools were honored earlier this month at Legislative Hall for their achievements at the national Prostart competition in Washington D.C. (more pics).
Editor's note: The following guest piece was written by Virginia Forcucci, DDOE's family and consumer sciences associate and Delaware's 2018 State Teacher of the Year.
“When she screamed DELAWARE, it was instant shock. It’s still kind of a blur, and we were all so surprised,” said Caesar Rodney High School sophomore Carys Raber while detailing the moment she and her teammates learned that they placed first out of 80 teams at the 2022 National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) in Washington, D.C.
The winning Caesar Rodney culinary arts team, coached by educator and Chef Riki Senn, included Morgan Fitzhugh, Grace Gonzalez, Caitlin Hernandez, Sierra Maull, and Carys Raber as well as alternates Melia Stamper and Leah Kirsch. Practicing tirelessly for months, the all-women’s team earned their victory with a menu that included frisee salad with egg yok ravioli, Mediterranean lamb loin, and chocolate dome with balsamic raspberries. Each of the five team members received a $7,000 scholarship from the National Restaurant Association Foundation (NRAEF).
The two-day competition was hosted by the NRAEF, and ongoing support was provided by the Delaware ProStart National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (DE ProStart).
Caesar Rodney’s culinary prowess evoked “so many emotions… it was humbling… and it personally took my breath away,” said DE ProStart Senior Director Raelynn Grogan.
Grogan said she recognizes that the mentorship provided by Chef Senn and Chef Owner of Buckley’s Tavern Tom Hannum is paramount in building future industry leaders. She hopes this national recognition will have a ripple effect by inspiring the quality of pathways programming, an increase in student participation and additional support from community and industry.
Seaford High School’s restaurant management team also traveled to D.C. Sarah Valasquez-Perez, Kameron Gum, and Tatyana Fletcher shared their business proposal of an original restaurant concept. According to Gum, a senior planning to attend the University of Delaware in the fall, ProStart and the educators who teach the culinary and hospitality pathway in 20 Delaware high schools prepare students “to fill their passions.”
Earlier this month, Governor Carney honored both teams at Legislative Hall in Dover. Surrounded by proud district administrators and loved ones, these gifted career and technical education (CTE) students received commendations and standing ovations from Delaware legislators. And because their commitment doesn’t end even when being honored, the young people delivered 250 boxed lunches as part of Legislative Hall’s Box Lunch Day.
According to Caesar Rodney sophomore Melia Stamper, these valuable experiences with her peers and her educators have taught her teamwork, problem-solving, communication and the ability to overcome obstacles. Echoed by Chef Senn, the confidence she sees in her students, “the steel in their spines, is different as a result of this program.”
The Delaware Department of Education knows that our successful workforce depends on these valuable relationships and opportunities, is so very proud of the Caesar Rodney and Seaford high school teams, is grateful to industry partners, and honors Delaware's dedicated educators.
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Johnson: Connection is key |
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Editor's note: The following guest piece was written by Maura Johnson, a grade 3 teacher at Cape Henlopen School District's Shields Elementary School and Cape Henlopen School District’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.
Maslow before Bloom. Connection over content. Relationships first. No matter which way you put it, the fact is, connection is essential in our schools and classrooms. Everyone wants to feel important and cared for, from adults to our young people. My message may be simple, “Connection is key,” but I believe in it wholeheartedly.
Connection needs to be at the forefront of education today. We are recovering from a pandemic, a time where we have all felt incredibly disconnected to the people around us. Now, more than ever, we all want to feel connected.
Todd Nesloney and Alex Welcome, authors of Kids Deserve It say, “As educators we have the privilege to care about kids – a lot – to show kids how much they matter to this world, to boost their confidence and make them all feel famous.” I share this statement with families at the start of each school year as this is my primary focus in teaching. As educators, we need to do more than just teach content. We need to focus on the whole child – teaching social skills, respect, self-worth, empathy, and help students realize their full potential. We need to create environments where each student that walks into our schools and classrooms feels, and, most importantly, knows how special they are.
Last year, a student transferred to Shields with only 18 days left in the school year. This was a blessing because I knew not only would she benefit greatly, but we all would by welcoming her into our classroom family. Students wrote welcome cards with thoughtful notes, greeted their classmate with smiles and a big, “Hi! We are so excited you are our new classmate!” and made sure she always had someone to sit with at lunch. More than anything, through their compassion and excitement, they truly wanted to ensure their classmate would feel like she belonged instantly. On our last day, she wrote how her feelings changed from being nervous to happy because she now loves school. I felt an immense amount of joy knowing she was happy because a young girl fell back in love with school. We need our students growing up in schools and learning in classrooms that they love being a part of.
Connection is built through little, intentional actions we make as educators. When a student arrives back to school after being absent, a simple greeting such as, “Yay! I’m so happy you are here. We missed you!” makes a big difference. As well as, greeting students each morning with an air hug, dab, thumbs up or spirit fingers. Each day we have the opportunity to improve student’s self-esteem and make an impact based on our positive interactions.
Do you remember any teachers from your past? What made them stand out? Personally, the teachers that come to my mind made me feel understood and capable. These teachers that quickly pop into our minds are those who focused on connection. They supported us in realizing our potential, and they learned about our natural abilities. We were excited about school, and as a result, were motivated to learn and keep learning. These are the connections we hope all teachers make, connections that will be remembered for years to come.
Once we show students how much we care about them beyond their academics, once they feel connected, it greatly improves their capacity to learn. Two years ago, a student transitioned into my classroom half way through our year. The student arrived at school each day with many unmet needs. He sought meaningful relationships, and an environment where he felt both safe and accepted. He would walk down the hall with his winter jacket on zipped to the top, hood on. His jacket was his security. One week after being welcomed into our classroom family, he began to take off his jacket for the first time in months. He began to smile, read, and share his love for drawing with his classmates. In order for him to be able to learn, it was first necessary to focus on his need for connection.
Teachers who get to know their students well, who make real connections, find that these students hold them in fond remembrance. This student’s example demonstrates how little time it takes to build a meaningful relationship when showing students how much we care. As educators, we have an incredibly unique opportunity to make a huge impact on our students lives in and out of the classroom.
Connection is key.
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School behavioral health professionals honored |
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School employees who support the mental health of Delaware students are being recognized for their work.
The state will name its first Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year later this month. Seventeen* school districts and the Delaware Charter School Network named local Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year for 2022. Following an application and interview process, one of those 18 will be named the state honoree.
“I am grateful that through this new recognition program we now have a way to spotlight the critical support these employees provide to our students and families,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “Due to the nature of their work, these professionals build close, trust-dependent relationships. They help students and families navigate challenges and find the supports they need so they can be healthy and successful in school and life. The trauma and challenges our students and families experienced through COVID-19 has only grown our state’s already great need for this work. Behavioral health professionals are critical to the success of our schools and communities.”
The Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year (BHPY) program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). The program recognizes outstanding service by school employees who are health care practitioners or human service providers who offer services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health. The Delaware Charter School Network also is invited to participate. Employees considered for the award include:
- School counselors
- School social workers
- Licensed clinical social workers
- School psychologists
- School nurses
From those nominated at a local level, one behavioral health professional of the year moves forward to represent each district or the charter school community in the state program. Each district/charter network winner receives a $2,000 personal award from the winner’s district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to serve as Delaware’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. State winners receive an additional $3,000 personal award from DDOE as well as $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of his or her students.
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Holodick names top high school seniors 2022 Secretary Scholars |
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Secretary of Education Mark Holodick has honored 89 public school students from the Class of 2022 as Secretary of Education Scholars.
“I am so impressed by the accomplishments of these seniors,” Holodick said. “During their high school careers they have persevered through school building closures, remote learning, hybrid learning and the transition back to fulltime face-to-face instruction. They have succeeded due to their hard work and the support of their families and educators. Not only have they earned high academic accolades, they are leaders in their schools, athletic teams and communities. Many have balanced impressive class schedules and extracurricular calendars with part-time jobs and volunteer service. These are just the type of leaders our state needs.”
The state has named Secretary of Education Scholars every year since 1984.
The number of scholars from each school is based on enrollment. Principals select the students based on both their academic records and community service. The website includes photographs, principal nomination statements and student narrative statements as submitted by the schools.
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Delaware Department of Education | www.doe.k12.de.us
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