2017-2018 Kyle Hill, Star Hill Elementary
About CR
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Mr. Kyle Hill
Kyle Hill, a third-grade special education teacher at Star Hill Elementary School has been selected as Caesar Rodney School District’s 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year.
With 18 years of teaching experience, all at Star Hill Elementary, Mr. Hill received his Bachelor's degree at Kutztown University and his Master's Degree at Delaware State University. He has taught every grade at Star Hill except first.
"It is an unbelievable honor to represent all of the amazing teachers in the Caesar Rodney School District. Words cannot express my gratitude for receiving this award." said Mr. Hill.
“Kyle Hill is a gifted educator who transforms the children he works with into people who believe in themselves, take chances and realize their importance in the world. These internal beliefs lead children to blossom academically, socially and emotionally into life-long learners." remarked Star Hill principal Nicole Kurz-McDowell.
The process for determining the district’s Teacher of the Year begins with recommendations from students, teachers, parents and administrators at each school building. Building teachers then vote to select the top five teachers. Those nominees then develop portfolios which are then reviewed and scored by a committee of parents, teachers and students from each school. From that process, one teacher in each building emerges as a District Teacher of the Year candidate.
A more in-depth portfolio is then created by each candidate which contains information including: educational history and professional development; awards and recognition; philosophy of teaching; community service; and letters of support. These portfolios are then read and scored independently by administrators, school board members, teachers, parents and students. From this process, candidates emerge as finalists.
Teams consisting of the district superintendent, principals, teachers and parents then conduct classroom observations and interviews with the finalists. Individually, each team member awards an overall score for each candidate. After a discussion and review of all scores, the District Teacher of the Year is selected.
"Kyle embodies what every educator strives to be, a collaborator-expert-innovator, while remaining humble regarding his immense talents. Kyle exemplifies the epitome of a top educator.” said Mrs. Kurz-McDowell.
“In a district that is so richly filled with the highest quality educators, I am truly humbled and grateful for this recognition.” said Mr. Hill, who will now represent Caesar Rodney School District and compete against eighteen other Teacher of the Year nominees for the honor of becoming the Delaware’s Teacher of the Year.
That announcement will be made by Governor John Carney in October.