2024 Delaware Teacher of the Year to be named Oct. 18
Cape High chemistry teacher Rachel Peacock is one of 20 of the state’s top teachers to be honored at an Oct. 18 celebration when one of them will be named Delaware’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.
Peacock, Cape Henlopen School District Teacher of the Year, is a chemistry and Advanced Placement chemistry instructor. Prior to joining Cape more than eight years ago, she taught middle school physical science and high school chemistry in Minnesota, and high school chemistry in Virginia.
After receiving both her master’s degree in education and her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Virginia Tech, Peacock earned her doctorate in critical pedagogy from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.
Teacher of the Year candidates were nominated by their districts or the Delaware Charter Network during the 2023 calendar year because of their superior ability to inspire students with a love of learning, exemplary demonstration of professional traits, and strong sense of dedication and devotion to teaching.
Each nominee submitted a detailed application exemplifying his or her teaching philosophy. Five Delaware Department of Education staff members independently evaluated each application, and a former Delaware Teacher of the Year and department staff member observed each candidate in the classroom.
Taking into consideration the ratings from the application review and observations as well as a recorded presentation by the nominees, another independent panel of non-department judges then selects the one teacher who will serve as the 2024 Delaware Teacher of the Year.
The state Teacher of the Year will become Delaware's nominee in the national program, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers in partnership with the Voya Foundation.
By action of the General Assembly, the Delaware Teacher of the Year will receive a $5,000 grant to use for the educational benefit of his or her students, as well as a personal grant of $3,000. All nominees will receive a $2,000 grant from the state.
