{"id":19331,"date":"2026-02-23T12:26:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T17:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=19331"},"modified":"2026-03-10T11:03:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T15:03:38","slug":"wilmu-prepares-educators-who-make-a-difference-celebrating-delawares-2026-teacher-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2026\/02\/23\/wilmu-prepares-educators-who-make-a-difference-celebrating-delawares-2026-teacher-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"WilmU Prepares Educators Who Make a Difference: Celebrating Delaware&#8217;s 2026 Teacher of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kadence-column19331_efbbab-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kadence-column19331_efbbab-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column19331_efbbab-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column19331_efbbab-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column19331_efbbab-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column19331_efbbab-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column19331_efbbab-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column19331_efbbab-72{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column19331_efbbab-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column19331_efbbab-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column19331_efbbab-72\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>\u201cFreedom\u201d&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;that\u2019s how&nbsp;<strong>Dr. Jenna&nbsp;DiEleuterio<\/strong>&nbsp;describes&nbsp;reading.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor so many people,&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;communication.&nbsp;It\u2019s&nbsp;a way for us to access information in the world and make informed decisions, and I want everyone to have that opportunity,\u201d says&nbsp;Dr.&nbsp;DiEleuterio,&nbsp;a reading specialist at Talley Middle School&nbsp;and Delaware\u2019s&nbsp;2026 Teacher of the Year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She calls the&nbsp;distinction&nbsp;\u201csuch an honor\u201d&nbsp;and credits her Wilmington University&nbsp;education&nbsp;at the master\u2019s and doctoral levels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI only have positive things to say about both experiences, and I wholeheartedly recommend it,\u201d says Dr.&nbsp;DiEleuterio, Delaware\u2019s nominee for National Teacher of the Year.&nbsp;\u201cAs educators, we\u2019re constantly talking about our students being lifelong learners, and we have to model that.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While&nbsp;continuing to&nbsp;work in the classroom, she earned an M.Ed. in Reading and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a&nbsp;concentration in&nbsp;Teacher&nbsp;Leadership.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI was able to apply that knowledge&nbsp;immediately,\u201d&nbsp;says&nbsp;Dr.&nbsp;DiEleuterio,&nbsp;one of the many WilmU&nbsp;graduates awarded&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/education\/impressive-graduates.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Delaware&nbsp;Teacher of the Year<\/a>.&nbsp;At the University, \u201cI felt supported and also challenged.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide wu-blockquote-row is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote wu-blockquote-simple is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cAs educators, we\u2019re constantly talking about our students being lifelong learners, and we have to model that.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014 Dr. Jenna DiEleuterio<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Teacher&nbsp;Leadership&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe love celebrating the achievements of our educators, especially moments like this,\u201d says <strong>Dr. Tyler Wells<\/strong>, dean of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/education\/indexe.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">College of Education and Liberal Arts<\/a>. \u201cDr.&nbsp;DiEleuterio\u2019s&nbsp;work is focused on student success and the day-to-day realities of the classroom.&nbsp;We\u2019re&nbsp;very proud&nbsp;of her and grateful that&nbsp;WilmU&nbsp;could be part of her professional journey.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The University&nbsp;offers&nbsp;a suite of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/education\/education-graduate-nonlicensure.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">master\u2019s degree programs for current educators<\/a>&nbsp;and two Doctor of Education programs to fit&nbsp;students\u2019&nbsp;goals and accommodate&nbsp;their&nbsp;schedules:&nbsp;an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/education\/educational-leadership-doctorate.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ed.D. in Educational&nbsp;Leadership<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/education\/organizational-learning-doctorate.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership, Learning and Innovation<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTeaching is demanding work, and it matters,\u201d adds Dr. Wells. \u201cOur goal is to prepare educators for what&nbsp;they\u2019ll&nbsp;face in real classrooms, not only in theory. We emphasize practical learning, faculty who understand the&nbsp;challenges&nbsp;and a student-centered approach. Most of all, we want graduates to leave feeling equipped,&nbsp;encouraged&nbsp;and ready to make a difference for the children and families they serve.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s&nbsp;exactly what&nbsp;Dr.&nbsp;DiEleuterio&nbsp;plans to do.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBeing a Teacher of the Year means your voice gets to be amplified,\u201d she says.&nbsp;\u201cIt\u2019s exciting to use my voice to&nbsp;advocate for students and lift up the profession.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id19331_8b981e-f6{margin-top:0em;}.kb-row-layout-id19331_8b981e-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id19331_8b981e-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id19331_8b981e-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:0em;padding-right:0em;padding-bottom:0em;padding-left:0em;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id19331_8b981e-f6{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}.kb-row-layout-id19331_8b981e-f6 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id19331_8b981e-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id19331_8b981e-f6{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kb-row-layout-id19331_8b981e-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id19331_8b981e-f6{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}}.wu-text-col,.wu-img-col {\tmin-height: 114px;}.wu-text-col &gt; 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 margin-block-end: 1em;}img[src$=\".svg\"] {  max-width: 220px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column19331_3334cc-7e kb-section-dir-horizontal wu-img-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image19331_4ede82-ed:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image19331_4ede82-ed.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-image19331_4ede82-ed .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image19331_4ede82-ed image-is-svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"120\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/wilmu-cta-logo-wu.svg\" alt=\"Wilm U post footer logo\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-17727\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column19331_78b126-56{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19331_78b126-56{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:#eeeeee;}.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column19331_78b126-56{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column19331_78b126-56{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19331_78b126-56{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column19331_78b126-56{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19331_78b126-56{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}.kt-row-column-wrap &gt; .wp-block-kadence-column {align-self: stretch;}.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 &gt; div {  padding-block: 1em;}.kadence-column19331_78b126-56 p:last-of-type {  -webkit-margin-after: 0;  margin-block-end: 0;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column19331_78b126-56 kb-section-dir-vertical wu-text-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"NoMargin\" style=\"font-size:1rem\"><em>Ready to become a teacher or accelerate&nbsp;your teaching career? Explore Wilmington University\u2019s undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/education\/indexe.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>College of Education and Liberal Arts<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cFreedom\u201d&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;that\u2019s how&nbsp;Dr. Jenna&nbsp;DiEleuterio&nbsp;describes&nbsp;reading.&nbsp; \u201cFor so many people,&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;communication.&nbsp;It\u2019s&nbsp;a way for us to access information in the world and make informed decisions, and I want everyone to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":19333,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[163],"tags":[570,187,1077,1041,14,15],"class_list":["post-19331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifewilmu","tag-alumni-1","tag-college-of-education-and-liberal-arts","tag-delaware-teacher-of-the-year","tag-education-degrees","tag-wilmington-university","tag-wilmu"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":163,"label":"LIFE@WILMU"}],"post_tag":[{"value":570,"label":"alumni-1"},{"value":187,"label":"College 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