DA Hires New Tech Educator Farewells To Others

DELHI - Delaware Academy Central School District (DA) Board of Education honored several retiring staff and hired a new technology educator on March 25. 

Molly Sherman was hired as the technology teacher for a four-year probationary appointment starting April 1. 

The technology position was open for roughly one year and Sherman was well worth the wait, said Superintendent Kelly Zimmerman. "Molly is well known to us (DA)," said Zimmerman, noting how Sherman was a student teacher and volunteer at DA. 

For the past year and a half, Sherman has been a family and consumer science teacher at Hancock Central School. She recently received a teaching certificate in career and technical education and is working toward a master's degree.

Zimmerman called Sherman the "unicorn" the district has been looking for. Sherman's educational milestones are in line with what the school board and administration envisioned for the new technology and innovations lab, she explained. "She is hungry and eager to learn," said Zimmerman, adding that Sherman will achieve the necessary training to help the program prosper and will work well alongside the agricultural educator.

The board said goodbye to three educators, one aide, and two bus drivers at the meeting who will be retiring this summer.

Bus drivers Sharon Jaddis and Diane Maxwell will both retire at the end of the school year. Jaddis served the district for 18 years and Maxwell served for 29 years. Director of Transportation Gregg Verspoor said both drivers were well-liked by the parents and he received positive comments about them regularly.

DA Aide Darleen Crandal is set to retire at the end of June. Elementary Principal Julie Mable wrote that Crandal is one of the most dependable employees who took on many jobs. "She is soft-spoken, compassionate, and gentle," said Mable, "She holds the students to a higher standard and the kids she works with try to meet that standard." Mable added that students were able to count on Crandal to listen and be understanding.

Janine Rosener served as a DA middle school math teacher for 33 years. "She is a no-nonsense teacher who gets results," said Middle School Principal Debora Liddle. Last year, Rosener had 79% of students score proficient on their regents exams, which according to Liddle is one of the best stats in the state. Liddle added that Rosener was a great peer mentor and one of the people she looked to as a new administrator in 2022. Liddle thanked Rosener for her dedication, compassion, and excellence.

High School Social Studies Teacher Doreen McGrath took on education as a second career joining DA in 2007. "Doreen's approach to teaching is grounded in relationships and creative approaches to bringing the world outside into the classroom," wrote High School Principal Crystal Trask.

High School Art Teacher Brian Rolfe has been with DA since 1992. "Brian's level-headed low-stress approach to situations is much appreciated by his students, fellow teachers, and administration," wrote Trask. She added that "Rolfe's passion for art transfers to our students."

"I am really stressing about filling these positions," said Zimmerman, "It's hard to follow legends."

For more information on open positions visit delhischools.org. 

A 2024 capital project community forum is scheduled Tuesday, Apr. 9 at 6 p.m. at the high school library. Voting on the proposition will take place Tuesday, Apr. 16 from noon until 8 p.m. in the middle school gym lobby. The proposed capital project is for improvements to the physical education department and athletic fields.

The next board of education meeting is scheduled Monday, Apr. 22 at 5 p.m.