DSEA Scholarships

DSEA is proud to sponsor two $1,000 scholarships for graduating seniors in Delaware.  They honor the work of two individuals who played vital roles in DSEA's history and who were lifelong advocates for public education and educators.  The Christopher K. Smith Memorial Future Teacher Scholarship and the Howard Weinberg Scholarship will continue to help the children of DSEA members pursue their dreams after graduation.

• Christopher K. Smith Memorial Future Teacher Scholarship
• Howard M. Weinberg Scholarship
• Scholarship Winners

Christopher K. Smith Memorial Future Teacher Scholarship

Duty-free lunch… It’s a part of nearly every collectively-bargained contract affecting DSEA members. However, what is now an important fabric of those contracts was once something elementary teachers were forced to do without. In 1969, though, a social studies teacher organized his colleagues to lobby for that contractual right, marking a pivotal moment in DSEA history: the organization’s first foray into member lobbying.

Christopher K. Smith, the social studies teacher who organized the effort, built a career as both an educator and union leader. In addition to his years teaching in the Georgetown and Colonial School Districts, Smith served two terms as Delaware’s representative on the NEA Board of Directors.

Smith passed away unexpectedly in 1989. The  following year, the DSEA Executive Board established the Christopher K. Smith Memorial Future Teacher Scholarship to honor his work as an educator and advocate.

The scholarship offers $1,000 per year, for four years, to a graduate of a Delaware public high school. They must major in education and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. While not a requirement, graduates are encouraged to teach in a Delaware public school.

The selection committee, comprised of DSEA staff and members, considers a variety of factors when making its decision. These factors include academic performance, involvement in high school activities, and career plans. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation from their teachers, which focuses on their leadership potential, personal character, and degree of initiative.

Download a copy of the 2016-2017 Christopher K. Smith scholarship application

Howard M. Weinberg Scholarship

Howard Weinberg’s life as an advocate began in middle school. Albert, a classmate with Down Syndrome, was being picked on and Weinberg stepped in to help him. That innate trait of helping others continued throughout his entire professional career, whether it was during his time as a teacher, UniServ Director, or executive director.

Weinberg began his career in 1969 as a business teacher in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. He immediately gravitated to member advocacy, becoming president of the local association after just three years.

Seven years later, Weinberg joined DSEA as a UniServ Director and eventually as manager for the UniServ staff. After over a decade in this role, he was tapped in 2001 to replace Ron Pierce as the Executive Director.

DSEA will continue that history of helping people by awarding the Howard Weinberg Scholarship to a graduates of Delaware high schools.

The Howard Weinberg Scholarship was established to honor Weinberg and assist the children of DSEA members in attending college. Recipients receive $1,000 per year for four years to help them pursue a degree of their choice. They must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in order to remain eligible for the scholarship.

The selection committee, comprised of DSEA staff and members, considers a variety of factors when making its decision. These factors include academic performance, involvement in high school activities, and career plans. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation from their teachers regarding their leadership potential, personal character, and degree of initiative.

Download a copy of the 2016-2017 Howard Weinberg Scholarship application

Christopher K. Smith Future Teacher Scholarship Winners:

• Elizabeth Schofield, Caesar Rodney High School, 2016
• Sarah Buchler, Indian River High School 2015
• Nicole Mejia, Cab Calloway School of the Arts 2015
• Courtney Martin, Middletown High School 2014
• Bethany Killmon, Sussex Technical High School 2013
• Carolyn Smith, Seaford High School 2013
• Joshua Dean Baker, Sussex Central High School 2012
• Stephen Kanefsky, Middletown High School 2011
• Jason Buchler, Indian River High School 2010
• Rebecca Godwin, Milford High School 2009
• Erin Thomas, Delmar Jr/Sr High School 2008
• Rebecca Clendaniel, Milford High School 2008
• Abigail Buchler, Indian River High School 2008
• Theresa Brock, William Penn High School, Colonial 2007
• James Bell, Milford High School 2007
• Sarah Robinson, Lake Forest High School 2007
• Ryan Hubble, Laurel High School 2006
• Andrew Meade, Milford High School 2006
• Amanda Benton, Middletown High School 2005
• Heather Parsons, Smyrna High School 2005
• Rebbeca Warrington, Woodbridge High School 2004
• Kelly Simon, Milford High School 2002
• Donald Foskey, Glassgow HS, Christina 2001
• Douglas Brian Sentman, Jr., Cape Henlopen H.S. 2000
• Daryl A. Balseiro, William Penn H.S. 1999
• Nancy Sheets, Woodbridge H.S. 1998
• Kristin Buck, Lake Forest H.S. 1997
• Brian Rhea, Glasgow H.S. 1996
• Emily Roche, Glasgow H.S. 1996
• Andrew R. Moffett, William Penn H.S. 1995
• Heather Renee Buchanan, Glasgow H.S. 1994
• Karen Wood, Brandywine H.S. 1993
• Jennifer Robelen, William Penn H.S. 1993
• Angela Luka Seymour, Dover H.S. 1992
• Eric Morrison, Woodbridge H.S. 1992
• Jennifer Mathes, Milford H.S. 1991
• Karen Sommers, Middletown H.S. 1991
• Julie Griffin, Indian River H.S. 1990

Howard M. Weinberg Scholarship Winners:

• Liam O'Connor, Caesar Rodney High School, 2016
• Zachary Varrato, Sussex Technical High School, 2016
• April Wilson, Appoquinimink High School, 2015
• Rocco Biscieglia, Charter School of Wilm., 2014