DOVER, DELAWARE (10/20/2015) A fourth-grade teacher in the Smyrna School District was named tonight as Delaware’s 2016 State Teacher of the Year.
The honor went to Sandra Hall, a teacher at North Smyrna Elementary School, during an awards ceremony at Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center in Dover.
Acting Secretary of Education Steven Godowsky made the announcement.
According to state officials, education was a second career for Hall, who was 44 when she became a full-time teacher.
With a background in business, she became a mother at age 31 and discovered a love for fulfilling her daughter’s intellectual needs. An Army wife for more than 20 years, including 10 spent living in Germany, she also was influenced by her work as a family readiness group leader, supporting other military families. And she found a love for education through her work as a Sunday School teacher and later a substitute teacher in the Smyrna School District, according to Alison May, public information officer for the state Department of Education.
“Because I did not take the traditional route in becoming a teacher, I have an extensive background of knowledge to incorporate into the many different lessons I teach,” Hall wrote in her application.
Hall said she is successful at helping her students grow academically because she takes the time to get to know each one’s “full story,” which may include hunger, medical struggles or problems at home.
“I must take the time to be their counselor, their cheerleader, and their provider before I can tackle academic instruction,” she wrote. “Understanding, accepting, and facilitating their story must come first, then today’s lessons can be accomplished.”
Hall earned an associate of science in business degree from Goldey Beacom College and bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Louisville, then graduated in December 2007 from Wilmington University with a master of education in elementary studies. She began teaching third grade at North Smyrna Elementary that same month, moving to fourth grade in the following school year.
She will receive a $5,000 grant to use for the educational benefit of her students, as well two personal grants totaling $5,000. The remaining 18 school district candidates each will receive a personal grant of $2,000.
Hall also will receive an educational technology package valued at about $18,000 from the SMART Technologies, ULC. Additionally, she will receive: a $1,000 grant for educational/classroom use from American Institutes for Research; grants from the Delaware State Education Association, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware Professional Standards Board; a State of Delaware Teacher of the Year commemorative plate from the Division of Motor Vehicles; free graduate-level courses from Delaware’s higher education institutions, including a full doctorate program from Wilmington University and University of Delaware; a gold watch from the Delaware State Teachers of the Year Association; a 10-karat gold ring from Jostens; and lunch in Washington D.C. with U.S. Sen. Tom Carper.
Hall is the 52nd Teacher of the Year since Delaware’s recognition program began in 1965. This year’s celebration was sponsored in part by Voya Financial and Hope Street Group.
Hall inherits from outgoing Teacher of the Year Megan Szabo the responsibility of representing all teachers in Delaware. She will address community groups, business leaders, legislators, and educational organizations to inform the public about Delaware schools. She also will become Delaware’s candidate in the National Teacher of the Year Program, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers in partnership with Voya Financial.