About the John H. Taylor Education leadership Award

Throughout his professional career, Mr. Taylor was an educator. He began his career as a teacher, then served as the assistant to the superintendent of the Wilmington Public Schools. Taylor’s education background, coupled with his ability to share information and make connections served him well as he rose to become editorial page editor for The News Journal before becoming president of the Delaware Public Policy Institute in 2005. As founding member of the Vision Coalition, Taylor’s leadership and directness were instrumental in building an impactful public-private partnership to advocate for improved education in Delaware. Taylor’s leadership style was always straightforward, clear-headed and often unwavering. At the same time, he was a humorous and truly humble man.
2024 HONOREE:
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Starting from his initial role assisting with preparations for court-ordered school desegregation in Wilmington, to his tenure as executive director of Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center, and later as Director of Wilmington Parks and Recreation, Jea Street has consistently championed educational initiatives throughout his career. Presently serving as president of Delawareans for Education Opportunity, Street's commitment remains steadfast, continually advocating for the betterment of children's education.
Street takes pride in achieving several accomplishments, including spearheading the construction of the Route 9 Library & Innovation Center, ensuring the continued operation of inner-city schools, and pursuing legal action against the state and counties to secure equitable funding for all students within Delaware's public school system. But out of all his achievements and awards, it is helping the children in his community that has meant the most. |
Previous Winners
2023
Dr. Dennis Loftus
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2022
THE VISION COALITION
Marvin "Skip" Schoenhals, Ernest Dianastasis, and Gary R. Stockbridge |
2019
Bebe Coker
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2018
John Hollis
MERIT |
2017
Dan Rich, Ph.D.
University of Delaware |
2016
Dr. Jack Varsalona
Wilmington University |
upcoming events
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