9:22 a.m., April 29, 2009----Ten of the 19 Delaware educators selected as their districts' Teacher of the Year for 2008-2009 are University of Delaware alumni. Each was chosen to represent his or her district in competition for the statewide title, which was awarded in October.

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All of the finalists were recognized at a dinner at the Blue and Gold Club on April 23 following a reception at the home of UD President Patrick Harker.

Before presenting the teachers with certificates marking their achievement, Delaware Secretary of Education Lillian Lowery praised the honorees saying, “We are proud to have you representing the best that education has to offer students in Delaware. Thank you for being role models for all teachers in all schools.”

Each of Delaware's public school districts selects a teacher of the year based on the candidate's superior ability to inspire students with a love of learning, outstanding professional traits and a strong sense of dedication and devotion to teaching. The statewide recognition program began in 1965.

The top honor this year went to Mark Teesdale, a music teacher at Lake Forest Elementary School in Felton, who entertained the honorees and their guests with his vocal rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

“We are honored to be able to recognize the outstanding teachers of the year from throughout Delaware and to gather them in one place to highlight their achievements,” said Michael Gamel-McCormick, interim dean of the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy. “Each of you is an ambassador for education and for the teaching profession. You exemplify the high quality of education available in our state's schools.”

The UD alumni honored this year are:

• Janet Andrelczyk, AS '94, who teaches English and language arts at Mariner Middle School in the Cape Henlopen district;
• Cherie Bergold, CHEP '07M, a reading support teacher at W.B. Simpson Elementary School in the Caesar Rodney district;
• Jennifer Bonham, CHEP '91, '00M, a math teacher at William Penn High School in the Colonial district;
• Kathleen (Loughlin) Gilbert, AS '76, who teaches English and language arts at Springer Middle School in the Brandywine district;
• Debbie (Short) Kirk, AG '95, an agriscience teacher at Louis Redding Middle School in the Appoquinimink district;
• Jennifer (West) Leonard, CHEP '03, who teaches English and language arts at Seaford Middle School in the Seaford district.
• Michael Lingenfelter, CHEP '96M, a math teacher at Selbyville Middle School in the Indian River district;
• Jodi (Sykes) Messick, CHEP '04M, who teaches first grade at the Evelyn Morris Early Childhood Center in the Milford district;
• Barbara Prillaman, AS '87, CHEP '98M, '08EdD, who teaches social studies and English and language arts to English language learners at the Conrad Schools of Science in the Red Clay district; and
• Gretchen (Miller) Wolfe, CHEP '01M, a first-grade teacher at Brader Elementary School in the Christina district.

“I had an absolutely lovely time,” said Kathleen Gilbert, teacher of the year from the Brandywine district. “It was an amazing opportunity to meet with people I might otherwise never have met. The personnel from the University were welcoming and down to earth, and I actually learned quite a bit from the people I spoke with. I truly appreciate everything the University does for the learning community in the state of Delaware.”

Photo by Duane Perry