Congratulations, Mrs. DeLong!
 Dalene DeLong has been teaching fourth grade at Mill Creek Elementary for ten years. Throughout her 29-year teaching career she has taught first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades, and Title I Reading and Math. Mrs. DeLong received her bachelor of arts degree in Education from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa and her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Drake University also Des Moines, Iowa. She is married to David DeLong who works for MFA Inc. The couple has three children and five grandchildren.
Upon receiving her award, Mrs. DeLong said, “This award is an honor especially since I was nominated by students and parents. I feel blessed to be part of children’s lives. My greatest joy is to see the sparkle in a student’s eyes when he or she understands a new concept, and to be part of the enthusiasm students have for learning new things. I see my role not only as an educator, but as a facilitator who helps all students become life-long, independent learners.”
Why Mrs. DeLong is special:
“Mrs. DeLong has many qualities that make her an outstanding teacher, but what my daughter picks up on the most is her enthusiasm for learning. She enjoys teaching, and seeing the kids make progress. She makes the extra effort in evaluation, to be sure each child understands every concept. The first week of school, she told us parents not to help with homework. She wanted to know what they didn’t understand. She said to just mark it with a post-it or have them call her. She gave us her home number and said she taught from home. I was blown away, and throughout this year my daughter has been walked through a few math assignments on the phone with her teacher. She truly walks the talk.”
— Lisa Watrous
“Mrs. Dalene DeLong is such a positive role model in the fourth grade classroom at Mill Creek Elementary. She is a very caring, honest, fair and dedicated teacher. Mrs. DeLong teaches life-long learning skills and challenges students to do their best work at all times in both group and individual situations.
She oversees the Mill Creek Chess Club, fourth grade Math Club and also offers Thursday morning tutoring before school to students who need extra help. Mrs. DeLong is the coordinator for the fourth grade field trip to see the Capitol at Jefferson City. She is on the Faculty Council at Mill Creek, the Career Ladder Committee, and also on the Communication Arts Committee.
Mrs. DeLong is a “life-long learner” herself and works not only with students but also with colleagues and the administration. Her energy level is tireless as she believes that all students can achieve and has very high expectations that make her students motivated and excited about learning. No doubt about it...she is the best and very deserving of this award!”
—Deb Linneman
Mrs. DeLong will receive a $100 check and a $100 savings bond from UMB Bank, a $100 gift certificate from Ann’s Teachers Store, flowers from Kent’s Floral Gallery and a class lunch catered by Jimmy Johns.
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