Out of 20 nominees, a fifth-grade teacher from the Milford School District is Delaware’s 2023 State Teacher of the Year.
Announced in a Delaware Department of Education ceremony Tuesday night, Ashley Lockwood of Lulu Ross Elementary School was named the state’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year Program.
Lockwood has been teaching for nine years, previously earning a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of Delaware and a Master of Education from Wilmington University.
As this year’s nominee, she plans to advocate for historically underserved populations of students and dig deeper into education data that shows students of color performing below proficiency levels in reading and math despite having parental support and high attendance rates.
Lockwood currently chairs the ethnic minority affairs committee of her local union, a group she created, and is a member of her district’s newly formed equity action committee, involvement that ties into her mantra of “we repeat what we don’t repair.”
In a video clip presented at Tuesday night’s ceremony, Lockwood stresses the brevity of a teacher’s impact on the lives of their students and cites that as her reason for becoming an educator and an honor she holds dearly.
“Children spend most of their day at school and look to me for consistency, assurance and security,” said Lockwood in the video. “Being a teacher means providing a safe, open space for students’ ideas, talents and growth. I strive to achieve that every day, with every student.”
A colleague describes Lockwood as leading with compassion while maintaining high expectations for her students, and her dedicated work ethic shines through in the routine successes seen from students in her classroom.
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Lockwood’s principal, Cynthia McKenzie, highlights the instructor’s effort in cultivating relationships with students and their families.
“Miss Lockwood creates a great sense of community within her classroom and with her families as well; they do not hesitate to contact her with questions and/or concerns,” said McKenzie in a statement. “She makes herself available at all times, and if she is not able to provide the necessary support or resources, she reaches out to those who can assist.”
Lockwood takes over the State Teacher of the Year title from last year’s winner, Jasha Tabron of Brandywine High School. The duties of the state’s nominee include addressing legislators, business leaders, community groups and educational organizations to inform the public about the status of Delaware schools.
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“I love that I can be a part of their village and watch them grow and interact with one another,” said Lockwood of her students. “For me, the most special moments occur when the quietest student raises his hand to participate in a class discussion, when a student who has struggled starts to show significant growth or when students work together to solve a problem.”
“These moments remind me of my purpose, and why being a teacher has been one of my greatest blessings.”
As this year’s State Teacher of the Year, Lockwood receives a $5,000 grant to use for the benefit of her students, along with two personal grants totaling $5,000. Other honors include commemorative plates from the DMV and a full doctorate program from Delaware State University, University of Delaware and Wilmington University.
The remaining 19 nominees receive a personal grant of $2,000.
