From left, Caesar Rodney Superintendent Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, W.B. Simpson Elementary School teacher Sandra Krugh and W.B. Simpson Elementary School principal Michael Kijowski following the announcement. (Caesar Rodney School District photo by Ron Gough)

WYOMING — Sandra Krugh, a first-grade teacher at W.B. Simpson Elementary School in Camden, has been named Caesar Rodney School District’s Teacher of the Year for the 2015-16 school year.

With 23 years of teaching experience, she received a bachelor’s in Special Education and Elementary Education from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from the University of Delaware.

Following her graduation from Slippery Rock in 1992, Ms. Krugh began teaching at the Kent Intensive Learning Center at Simpson Elementary. She then transferred to Lake Forest North Elementary School before returning to Simpson Elementary in 2007.

When asked what factors influenced her to become a teacher, Ms. Krugh replied, “I think it was just always something that I wanted to do. During my freshman year at Slippery Rock, I volunteered to be a buddy at our Special Olympics Soccer Tournament. I was paired with two young boys that had been abused by their parents and were now living with their adoptive parents.

“I was surprised to learn that not all special needs can be seen from the outside. It is a lesson that has stuck with me every day of my career.

“That tournament changed my life forever. I received more hugs that day than I had ever received in my life! It was my epiphany moment. I fell in love with kids that had so much to give and wanted nothing in return. The athletes may have earned gold medals but I too had discovered something wonderful. I had found a treasure chest of gold and inspiration from these fiercely determined athletes that had such a genuine love of life.”

She will now compete against 18 other school district Teacher of the Year nominees for the honor of becoming the state’s 2016 Teacher of the Year.

That announcement will be made by Gov. Jack Markell in October.