150 educators, district professionals, government officials, and advocates discussed the future of education in the First State, teacher apprenticeships
WILMINGTON, Del. – The Delaware Department of Education hosted the inaugural Teacher Pathways Showcase in partnership with Reading Assist and Relay Graduate School of Education at Wilmington University on Thursday. 150 educators, district professionals, government officials, and advocates came together to discuss middle and high school education Pathways, teacher apprenticeships, and more.
“Delaware has been ranked #1 in the nation for two consecutive years for educator workforce recovery and growth since the pandemic. At a time when many states are struggling, Delaware is leading – because we’re taking bold, coordinated steps to build a strong, diverse, and well-prepared educator pipeline,” said Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education Cindy Marten. “This is not happening by accident, but by design. Nearly every high school in Delaware offers a Teacher Academy pathway. Candidates are taking advantage of Grow Your Own grants. Delaware supports nearly 100 year-long teacher residents. Through innovative collaboration with Reading Assist, we’re supporting high-impact tutors to become certified teachers. Every program, every partnership, and every pathway we’ve built is about one thing: ensuring every child in Delaware has access to an excellent teacher.”
State Senator Laura Sturgeon, State Representative Kim Williams, Secretary Marten and Deputy Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education Cora Scott spoke during program the morning at Thursday’s Showcase. Governor Matt Meyer provided passionate remarks about his own teaching experience in a pre-recorded video. Following remarks, attendees had the opportunity to hear from panelists, engage in breakout sessions, and site visits to local schools doing great work in the apprenticeship and Pathways spaces.
“Here in Delaware we have gotten innovative,” said Senator Laura Sturgeon. “We’ve opened up opportunities for non-traditional routes into the teaching profession without lowering standards. We recognize that our students benefit from exposure to educators from diverse backgrounds with different life experiences.”
“It was inspiring to be part of the Teacher Pathways Showcase and to celebrate how far we’ve come in recruiting and retaining outstanding educators here in Delaware,” said Representative Kim Williams, Chair of the House Education Committee. “For the second year in a row, our educator workforce leads the nation in growth, and that was only made possible by thoughtful policy, strong partnerships, and a commitment to our schools and students. I am glad to be a part of this work and hope we continue to have such great success here in the First State.”
Breakout sessions focused on the middle and high school pathways available to students in the First State, teacher apprenticeships, pathways for paraprofessionals, and Wilmington University and Reading Assist’s Tutors to Teachers Delaware partnership.
“We are eager to spread the word about our Tutors to Teachers Delaware partnership with Wilmington University where candidates can earn their M.Ed in Special Education and Delaware state licensure in just two years,” said Caroline O’Neal, CEO of Reading Assist. “It’s true that folks take alternate routes to a career in education. Take Dorian – as a painter and musician who ‘did a stint with a puppet circus.’ He is now working towards his Master’s – gaining classroom experience while earning academic credit. We’re grateful for the partnership and the opportunity to share with – and learn from – the attendees at the Pathways Showcase and for the Department’s focus on engaging more people to become educators.”
