Dr. Dawn Lybarger

Dr. Dawn Lybarger is the Assistant Principal at Phillis Wheatley Elementary School in the Woodbridge School District and was honored as the 2025 NAESP Delaware National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year. With over 15 years in education and four years in school leadership, she is recognized for her dedication to instructional excellence, student success, and integrity-driven leadership. Though she initially considered careers in accounting and corporate law, Dawn discovered her passion for education, inspired by a desire to model perseverance and possibility for her children as first-generation college graduates.

After earning a degree in mathematics, Dawn spent a decade teaching high school math before advancing into leadership through a Master of Education and Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Wilmington University. Her academic and professional experiences inform her approach as an instructional leader, particularly in implementing the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to close achievement gaps and ensure equitable outcomes for all students. Dawn’s leadership style emphasizes presence, fairness, and empathy, balancing the operational demands of school management with mentorship and teacher development.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Dawn actively contributes to educational and community initiatives. She holds memberships in the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), the Delaware Association of School Administrators, and the Delaware Association of School Principals, serving on executive boards and committees. She also co-runs the nonprofit Adopt-a-Theater Kid with her daughter and participates in local community service efforts. A devoted wife and mother of five, Dawn enjoys traveling, reading, and crafting, embodying a philosophy that leadership is a daily choice, and showing up consistently for her students, staff, and community.