Skip Navigation
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, provide ads, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.

Our Staff

DSEA staff help support the work of members by representing and advocating for their interests, and the interests of students and families, at the local and state level.

Staff List- Dover Office (Headquarters)

  • Jeff Taschner, Executive Director
  • Patricia “Patti” McGonigle, General Counsel & Assistant Executive Director 
  • Laura Rowe, Chief Operating Officer & Assistant Executive Director
  • Sandy Dearman, Executive Assistant to the President & Executive Director
  • Debbie Weaver, Program Assistant - Business
  • Zach Blanchard, Program Assistant - Business and Finance
  • Jon Neubauer, Director of Education Policy
  • Taylor Hawk, Director of Legislative and Political Strategy
  • Christine Hoh, Program Assistant - Legislation, Political Organizing, Education Policy, Public Relations, Professional and Leadership Development
  • Kathy Dulis, Director of Professional and Leadership Development 
  • David Wright, Director of Member Relations and Communications
  • Scott Goss, Director of Public Relations and Communications
  • Wendy Cannon, Director of Local Association and Membership Growth and Development
  • Tammy Wagner, Coordinator of Member Programs, Events, and Related Groups
  • Amanda Gerardi,  Program Assistant - Membership and Member Communications
  • Mike Hoffmann, Organizing Director- Kent County, Sussex County
  • Val Hoffmann, UniServ Director for Appoquinimink E.A., Polytech E.A., Smyrna E.A., and Laurel E.A.
  • Julio Soto Hernandez, UniServ Director for Cape Henlopen EA, Cape Henlopen Support, Delmar, Indian River Chief Custodians, Lake Forest, Sussex Vo-Tech. E.A., and Sussex Vo-Tech Support
  • Scott Cole, UniServ Director for Caesar Rodney E.A., Caesar Rodney Support, Capital E.A.,  Capital Secretaries, Milford E.A., and Woodbridge E.A.
  • Mike Hoffmann, UniServ Director for Capital Paras, Capital Constables, Capital Support, Indian River EA  (unified teachers, paras, secretaries & custodians), Seaford E.A. (unified teachers, paras, custodians), Sussex Montessori E.A.
  • Julie MacNeill, Program Assistant - DSEA Retired, Membership, and Dover UniServ Directors

Staff List- New Castle County Office (Branch)

  • David Davis, Uniserv Director for Brandywine E.A., Brandywine School Nutrition, Christina Food Service, Colonial Food Service, Colonial Paraprofessionals, Colonial Transportation, and Red Clay Food Services Workers
  • Julie DeHaas, UniServ Director for Christina E.A., Christina Paras, Special Schools E.A., and Public Health Nurses Council
  • Jenn Smith, UniServ Director for Colonial E.A., New Castle County Vo-Tech E.A.(unified), Red Clay Secretaries, Charter School of Wilmington, Appoquinimink Food Service Workers, and Appoquinimink ESP
  • Vickie Caprinolo, UniServ Director for Christina Secretaries, Red Clay E.A., Red Clay Paras, and Odyssey Charter School
  • Jocelyn Eckstein-Friedman, Program Assistant - Membership and New Castle County UniServ Directors
  • Christopher Walton, Organizing Director- New Castle County
  • Donna Clack, Legal Assistant to DSEA General Counsel
Delaware State Education Association logo

Standing Strong for Student Success

DSEA represents the over 12,000 classroom teachers, specialists, and education support professionals working in Delaware public schools. These individuals are dedicated to providing the best educational opportunities to the 130,000 Delaware students. DSEA members provide a wide range of services to the students and the communities they live in.