By Glenn Rolfe

GEORGETOWN — Gwendolyn Gillespie, a paraprofessional who works with special-needs students at Georgetown Elementary School’s Intensive Learning Center, is Indian River School District’s Educational Support Professional of the Year for 2021-22.

The honor was announced Thursday by the district.

Colleagues describe Ms. Gillespie as an exceptional team player, whose support has helped numerous students make tremendous gains both academically and socially. She has been praised for the compassion, patience and dedication she exhibits in her work with students and staff.

“The many students that I’m involved with in the elementary setting are priceless,” said Ms. Gillespie. “To know that I’m a part of their learning is beyond words. My philosophy is, and always will be, we as educators have been chosen to make a difference in every student’s life. We must meet the needs of every student who is under our care for the seven-and-a-half hours we are all together during that day.”

Ms. Gillespie was chosen as IRSD’s overall winner from a pool of 16 candidates, one from each school, plus the district office. She will now compete for the 2022 Delaware State Educational Support Professional of the Year.

IRSD school honorees are:

• Lynn Baker, Long Neck Elementary School.
• Sylvia Baker, district office.
• Ashley Bennett, Lord Baltimore Elementary School.
• Jamaal Bivens, Indian River High School.
• Eddie Bowen, Millsboro Middle School.
• Lenny Brittingham, Georgetown Middle School.
• Chris Budesheim, Howard T. Ennis School.
•  Gwendolyn Gillespie, Georgetown Elementary School (overall winner).
• Esque Hodge, Southern Delaware School of the Arts.
• Amy Johnson, Selbyville Middle School.
• Colette Press-Spady, East Millsboro Elementary School.
• Cassie Queen, John M. Clayton Elementary School.
• Randy Ramirez, Sussex Central High School.
• Tara Richards, Phillip C. Showell Elementary School.
• Maria Rodriguez, North Georgetown Elementary School.
• Dan Shively, IRSD Early Learning Center.

The state launched this recognition program in 2020 to recognize the exemplary efforts of school employees in a support position, which encompass paraprofessionals, custodial staff, secretaries and nutritional staff, as well as school/district-employed bus drivers and aides.

From those nominated at a building level, one Educational Support Professional of the Year moves forward to represent each district or charter school community in the state contest.

Each district/charter network winner receives a $1,000 award from his or her district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to serve as Delaware’s Educational Support Professional of the Year. The overall state winner receives an additional $1,500 award from the Delaware Department of Education, as well as $2,500 to be used for the educational benefit of his or her students.