An Impressive Class of Graduates
Wilmington University’s CAEP-accredited and nationally recognized teacher preparation programs foster excellence in education. Our graduates are consistently recognized as leaders in the field, preparing their students for an increasingly diverse and complex world by creating inclusive, diverse and impactful learning environments.
Teachers of the Year
Ashley Lockwood
2023 Delaware Teacher of the Year
M.Ed. in Elementary Studies (K-6) and Special Education
Ashley Lockwood is a fifth-grade immersion teacher at Milford’s Lulu M. Ross Elementary School. Read more about Ashley.
Jahsha Tabron
2022 Delaware Teacher of the Year
M.Ed. in School Leadership and Instruction
Jahsha Tabron is a special education English teacher at Wilmington’s Brandywine High School. Read more about Jahsha .
Dana Bowe
2019 Delaware Teacher of the Year
M.Ed. in Special Education Non-Cert.
Dana Bowe is an elementary special education teacher in the Sussex County Orthopedic Program at West Seaford Elementary School. Read more about Dana.
Virginia Forcucci
2018 Delaware Teacher of the Year
M.Ed. in Career & Technical Education
A high school English teacher from the Sussex Technical School District is Delaware's 2018 State Teacher of the Year. Read more about Virginia.
Wendy Turner
2017 Delaware Teacher of the Year
M.Ed. in Elementary Studies
Ten years ago, Wendy Turner never guessed she'd be Delaware's 2017 Teacher of the Year, mainly because she was an accountant for 17 years. But she needed a change and switched to teaching.
Sandra Hall
2016 Delaware Teacher of the Year
M.Ed. in Primary Education (K-4)
This 2016 Delaware Teacher of the Year is passionate about education and Wilmington University.
Megan Szabo
2015 Delaware Teacher of the Year
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, M.Ed. in School Counseling
Lea Wainwright
2014 Delaware Teacher of the Year
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, M.Ed. in Applied Technology in Education
Amber Augustus
2012 Delaware Teacher of the Year
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, M.Ed. in Middle Level Education (5-8)
Joseph Masiello
2011 Delaware Teacher of the Year
M.Ed. in School Leadership & Instruction
Mary Pinkston
2010 Delaware Teacher of the Year
Graduate School Leadership Coursework
Mark Teesdale
2009 Delaware Teacher of the Year
M.Ed. in Applied Technology in Education
Assistant Principals of the Year
Kelyn Marmolejo
2024 Delaware Assistant Principal of the Year
M.Ed. in School Leadership
Colleen Conaty
2018 Delaware Assistant Principal of the Year
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Courses
Colleen Conaty received the honor while assistant principal at Howard High School of Technology.
Courtney Voshell
2014 Delaware Assistant Principal of the Year
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, M.Ed. in School Leadership
“It is an extreme honor to represent Delaware and, most importantly, the Capital School District, as this has been my home since I was in high school,” Voshell said.
Richard Evans
2012 Delaware Assistant Principal of the Year
M.Ed. in School Leadership
Richard Evans received the honor while assistant principal at Sussex Central High School. Read more about Richard.
Christopher Beck
2011 Delaware Assistant Principal of the Year
M.Ed. in Applied Technology in Education
Chris Beck received the honor while assistant principal at Middletown High School.
Principals of the Year
David Frederick
2024 Delaware Principal of the Year
M.Ed. in Special Education
Kristina Failing
2022 Delaware Principal of the Year
Ed.D. in Innovation and Leadership
Kris Failing has been an administrator with the Caesar Rodney School District for 19 years, currently leading Postlethwait Middle School, which recently won Special Olympics Unified Champion School and was recognized as an ESPN Top-5 school.
Sherry Kijowski
2019 Delaware Principal of the Year
Graduate Certificate in Reading
"I think one of the best parts of being a principal is when a fleeting comment becomes an idea, and that idea then becomes an integral part of your school's DNA."
Maribeth Courtney
2018 Delaware National Distinguished Principal of the Year
MEC in Elementary and School Leadership Courses
Maribeth Courtney has served as principal of Evan G. Shortlidge Academy since 2012, where she has worked diligently to improve instructional practices. Read more about Maribeth.
Becky Neubert
2017 Delaware National Distinguished Principal of the Year
M.Ed. in School Leadership, B.S. in Middle Level Education (5-8)
One teacher at Central Elementary School (CES) says, "[I am] lucky to call my principal a colleague and a friend, as we work together for our kids".
Stanley Spoor
2017 Delaware Secondary Principal of the Year
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, M.Ed. in Applied Technology in Education, M.Ed. in School Administration
Jennifer Nauman
2016 Delaware National Distinguished Principal of the Year
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, M.Ed. in School Counseling
Superintendents of the Year
Dr. Matthew Burrows
2024 Delaware Superintendent of the Year
Ed.D. in Education Lead and Innovation
Matthew L. Burrows
2018-2019 Delaware Superintendent of the Year
Ed.D. and M.Ed. in Elementary Studies
Mark Holodick
2016-2017 Delaware Superintendent of the Year
M.Ed. in Instruction: Teaching & Learning
Mark Holodick became Delaware’s Secretary of Education in January 2022. Read more about Mark.
Mervin Daugherty
2015 Delaware Superintendent of the Year
Ed.D. in Leadership
Before being named Superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools in August 2018, Mervin B. Daugherty was Superintendent of Delaware's largest and highest-achieving school district. Read more about Mervin.
School Counselors of the Year
Leslee Hazzard
2022 Delaware School Counselor of the Year
M.Ed. in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling
Leslee Hazzard is a counselor at East Millsboro Elementary School in the Indian River School District (IRSD) and is also IRSD’s elementary lead counselor, in which role she advocates for counselors at the district and state levels.
Kirsten Coughlin
2020 Delaware School Counselor of the Year
M.Ed. in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling
In addition to providing comprehensive counseling services to students at Howard High School of Technology, Kirsten Coughlin has been a strong voice and advocate for school counselors across Delaware.
Tammy L. Taylor
2019 Delaware Elementary School Counselor of the Year
M.Ed. in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling
Tammy Taylor supports students at South Dover Elementary School.
Jacqueline Sheridan
2019 Delaware Middle School Counselor of the Year
M.Ed. in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling
Jacqueline Sheridan helps students at Mariner Middle School.
Lisa Street
2019 Delaware High School Counselor of the Year
M.Ed. in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling
Lisa Street serves as the department chair of school counseling at Brandywine High School.
Laura Malmstrom
2018 Delaware School Counselor of the Year
M.Ed. in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling
Laura Malmstrom helps students at Sarah Pyle Academy.
Cheryl M. Carey
2016 Delaware School Counselor of the Year
M.Ed. in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling
Jan Bomhardt
2015 Delaware Elementary School Counselor of the Year
M.Ed. in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling
Judith Hayes
2015 Delaware Middle School Counselor of the Year
M.Ed. in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling