Teacher of the Year
Missy (Melissa) Slattery
William Penn High School
Allied Health (Grades 9–12)
2027 Teacher of the Year
Missy Slattery is a passionate and innovative Allied Health teacher at William Penn High School, where she has served the Colonial School District for 12 years and has dedicated 16 years to education overall. With a rich professional background and a commitment to student success, Missy brings real-world experience and energy into her classroom every day.
Before entering education, Missy spent 20 years as a Senior Director of Aquatics and Youth & Family Programs with several YMCA organizations. During that time, she earned an Associate’s Degree in Business and Finance before returning to school to pursue her passion for health sciences. She went on to earn an Associate’s Degree in Exercise Science from Delaware Technical Community College, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Allied Health and a Master’s Degree in Career & Technical Education from Wilmington University. In addition to her teaching role, Missy is a certified Cardiovascular Technologist, an EKG Instructor/Trainer with ChristianaCare, and serves as an Adjunct Faculty member in Exercise Science and Cardiac Monitoring at Delaware Technical Community College.
Missy’s teaching philosophy centers on inclusion and unlocking the potential within every student. She believes that all students have the ability to learn and succeed, and she works intentionally to make content accessible through her “rule of threes”—presenting material in multiple ways to ensure it resonates and sticks. Her classroom is known for being engaging, interactive, and fun, filled with hands-on labs and creative activities. From her popular “Cell Cookie Lab” to the high-energy “Immune System Nerf Game,” Missy creates memorable learning experiences that bring complex concepts to life.
Beyond the classroom, Missy is deeply committed to the broader healthcare community. She serves on the Board for the Exercise Science Program at Delaware Technical Community College and contributes to the planning committee for “Heart in the Game,” a Delaware-based nonprofit focused on youth cardiac arrest awareness and EKG screenings.
Missy was inspired to become a teacher while raising her own children, driven by a desire to ensure all students have access to meaningful opportunities and exposure. Through her Allied Health program, she empowers students to explore careers in healthcare, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their futures.
She exemplifies the Power of WE by fostering a safe, inclusive, and authentic learning environment where students feel supported both academically and personally. Her classroom is a place where students are encouraged to take risks, engage deeply, and discover their passions.
Outside of school, Missy enjoys an adventurous life with her husband Matt. Together, they share four adult children and a grandson, and love spending time traveling, hiking, camping, kayaking, rock climbing, and ziplining.
Missy lives by the belief:
“Leadership is action, not position.”
Through her leadership, creativity, and unwavering commitment to students, Missy Slattery truly represents the heart of Colonial Nation and the Power of WE. ❤️🖤
