Wilmington, DE: The Delaware Retired School Personnel Association (DRSPA) is excited to announce the 2025 grant recipients in the Partners in Education grant program, awarding more than $10,000 in grants to support a diverse range of creative projects across multiple school districts and classroom settings.
“The Partners in Education program not only celebrates excellence in teaching but also invests directly in Delaware’s educational future by empowering teachers to realize their visionary ideas and inspire the next generation of learners,” said DRSPA President Denise Schwartz. “We continue to be deeply impressed with the creativity and dedication of Delaware teachers.”
The 2025 Partners in Education grant recipients exemplify the spirit of innovation and dedication to student growth. Notable winners include Mae-Lynn Smith (McVey Elementary, Christina) for her “Student Made Books” library project, Christine Curcuru (Alfred G. Waters Middle School, Appoquinimink) for “Game On: Gamifying Civics and Economics” in Social Studies, and Miriannys Velasquez Zabala (Townsend Early Childhood Center, Appoquinimink) whose Spanish Immersion project, “Learning Spanish Culture Through Play,” received outstanding support.
Additional honorees range from science and music educators to those advancing literacy, physical education, and culinary arts—including Paul Hodgson (Hudgson Vo Tech, NCCVT) for “Hydroponics Sustainability” and Mathew Marion (Linden Hill Elementary, Red Clay) for “Making Music More Accessible: Adaptive Instruments for All Learners.”
These grants, each ranging up to $1,000, provide essential resources for projects that enhance classroom learning—such as reading initiatives, STEM innovation, and creative arts accessibility.
DRSPA received 39 grant applications. A committee reviewed and assigned a point value based on criteria for each grant. The highest scores were awarded the funding.
