2025
State Teacher of the Year

Shelby Borst

State/Territory:

Delaware

Content Area:

Social Studies

Grade:

9‑12

Biography:

Shelby Borst is a dedicated social studies teacher at William Penn High School in New Castle, Delaware, where she teaches students of various backgrounds, abilities and identities in grades 9–12. With a Bachelor of Arts in social studies education from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Western Governors University, Borst brings a rich background in psychology and education to her role. Her classes encompass a range of social studies subjects, including college prep and dual enrollment sociology, as well as dual enrollment and Advanced Placement psychology, all integral to the behavioral science pathway. In addition to her classroom teaching, Borst also facilitates distance learning courses in social problems, history of the Holocaust and cultural resilience.

Throughout her nine years in education, Borst has emerged as a leader in holistic education, championing social-emotional learning and restorative practices to best support students and cultivate environments of growth. She has led schoolwide Tier 1 initiatives designed to foster a strong, supportive school culture through an emphasis on inclusivity, resilience and student engagement. Additionally, she has been committed to creating equitable platforms for student voice and ownership of learning and success. With great pride, she fosters a culture of resilience and empowerment within her classroom and beyond.

State teacher biographies were contributed by individual teachers.
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