DSEA Awards

Teacher of the Month & ESP of the Month

Do you know a Teacher, Specialist, or Education Support Professional (ESP) that goes above and beyond the call of duty?

Yes!?  Then nominate them for one of our All-Stars in Education Awards!

Each month, during the school year, we recognize one Teacher of the Month and one ESP of the Month.  Our winners receive a surprise visit at their school or worksite, receive a plaque and a $100 Amazon gift card!

Our Teacher of the Month program seeks to recognize any teacher or specialist (school counselor, social worker, psychologist, nurse, librarian, OT/PT, SLP, etc) in a DE public school that you want to say "Thanks!" to for the great work they have done.

Our ESP of the Month program honors someone who works in schools but isn't a teacher or specialist. This could be a custodian, paraprofessional, food service worker, school secretary, resource officer, or transportation worker who goes above and beyond the call of duty. These support professionals are the glue that holds our schools together, and they all deserve our thanks.

Teacher of the Month nomination

ESP of the Month nomination

Human & Civil Rights Student Contest

The DSEA Human & Civil Rights Student Contest is designed to increase students’ knowledge of the many leaders, groups, and heroes whose legacies continue to inspire the pursuit of social justice in order to enhance the quality of life for everyone in our diverse society. It is open to all Delaware public school students in grades K-12.

HCR Student Contest Entry form

Helen D. Wise Award

The Helen D. Wise Award is DSEA's most prestigious honor.  The award is named for Helen Wise, a DSEA member who served as a local leader, a state president, and NEA president.  Her leadership skills and connection with members serve as a clarion example for any who dedicate themselves to improving and significantly contributing to public education in Delaware.

Helen D. Wise nomination form

Susan C. Roushey Advocacy Award

DSEA presents the Susan C. Roushey Advocacy Award to a DSEA member who exhibits many of the same characteristics of Susan C. Roushey, an education advocate and avid fundraiser for public education.  Roushey was a local leader, a state leader, and served as DSEA's NEA Director.  The recipient of the award has a demonstrated commitment to leadership and fundraising for the DSEA and NEA Funds for Children and Public Education.

Susan C. Roushey Advocacy Award nomination form

DSEA ESP of the Year Award

The Education Support Professional of the Year award is given to a DSEA member whose activities reflect the diverse contributions of educational support professionals in our public schools.  All DSEA ESP members (Classroom Paraprofessionals, Custodians, Transportation, Food Service Workers, Secretaries) are eligible for nomination.  The successful nominee will have proactively worked to represent the interests of ESP's at the building, district, and state level.

DSEA ESP of the Year Award nomination form

Community Partner of the Year Award

DSEA's Community Partner Award is presented annually to a local business, organization, or individual who actively works to support public education and build relationships within their community.

Community Partner of the Year Award nomination form

Legislative Friend of Education Award

DSEA awards its Legislative Friend of Education honor to an elected official in Delaware who actively supports DSEA's mission of improving public education, builds positive relationships with DSEA members, and supports a legislative agenda that seeks to improve public education.

Legislative Friend of Education Award nomination form

Human & Civil Rights Award

Do you know someone who always goes the extra mile?  Someone who always helps out their community, organization, school, etc?  If so, now is the chance to let others know how valuable that person is to others!

Through DSEA’s Human and Civil Rights Task Force, two Delawareans are honored – one DSEA member and one individual outside of the organization – for outstanding achievements in Human and Civil Rights.  Previous HCR Award winners are excluded. 

Any DSEA member, outside organization or member of the general public is invited to nominate such a person by filling out the award application (link at top of page) and including a portfolio of the nominee’s achievements.

2024 HCR Award nomination form