Activity Descriptions: Delaware Teacher Pathways Showcase 2025
Main Stage
Panel: Delaware Teacher Pathways Overview
Hear directly from pathway program leaders to learn more about their work and vision for developing the future generations of Delaware’s educators.
Policy in Action
Secretary of Education, Cindy Marten will lead a discussion on the education policy in Delaware. Learn more about what is in development, programs planned for the future, and an overview of the state of current educator pipeline programs.
Panel: Higher Education Pathways and their Graduates
Explore the vision, design, and impact of educator preparation programs across Delaware, how programs are customized to meet the state’s unique educational needs, and hear personal insights from a teacher resident.
Breakout Rooms
Apprenticeships and Grow Your Own: Paraprofessional to Teacher
Grow Your Own supports high-needs schools in Delaware. The program aims to address teacher shortages and improve the recruitment and retention of educators in challenging school environments.
Join the discussion on promoting the paraprofessional-to-teacher pipeline.
Session 1: Room 301
Session 2: Room 301
Session 3: Not Offered
High School Teacher Academies
High School Teacher Academies, part of the larger K-12 Teacher Academy, is a three- and six-course Career and Technical Education (CTE) program that prepares students for careers in elementary and secondary education. Observation opportunities in a variety of age and discipline settings, as well as special needs and non-classroom settings, provide practical experiences while enriching the learning. Students participate in a long-term placement during their senior year, which allows for in-depth experiences in a classroom setting.
Learn more about how Teacher Academies can build and sustain qualified educators within their own communities.
Session 1: 302
Session 2: 302
Session 3: Not Offered
Relay Graduate School of Education: Innovations in Traditional Preparation and Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification (ARTC)
The ARTC program is a collaboration among:
- The Delaware Department of Education, which establishes standards, determines eligibility for the program, and issues certificates;
- Delaware public and charter schools that hire, mentor, and supervise ARTC teachers in lieu of student-teaching requirements;
- The Relay Graduate School of Education, which administers the program and provides a state-approved program of courses that satisfies the professional education requirements for certification.
Participate in the discussion of Relay’s work to establish multiple pathways for individuals to join the teaching profession.
Session 1: 309
Session 2: 309
Session 3: Not Offered
Tutors to Teachers
In partnership with Wilmington University, Reading Assist’s Tutors to Teachers Delaware program offers a unique opportunity to earn a Master’s degree in exchange for two years of AmeriCorps service as a Fellow or a reading tutor for underserved elementary students in Delaware.
Fellows can earn their M.Ed in Special Education and Delaware state licensure in just two years, and with a school district residency in the second year, they will receive an additional stipend while gaining valuable teaching experience. Teaching residents have a 100% post-graduate hire rate and can continue their teaching careers in-state.
Join our conversation on serving students while growing future educators.
Session 1: 310
Session 2: 310
Session 3: Not Offered
University of Delaware: Year-Long Teacher Residents and Montessori Academy
Join this session to learn how the University of Delaware is preparing the next generation of teachers through two forward-thinking programs. The Montessori Teacher Academy (UDMTA) offers full certification and customized support for schools interested in implementing Montessori or Montessori-inspired approaches. With a focus on child-centered, developmentally appropriate practices, Montessori education nurtures independence, critical thinking, and social development.
The University of Delaware Teacher Residency Program (UDTR) allows teacher education students to pursue a yearlong, paid residency in a Delaware school in place of a traditional student teaching experience. Building on the medical residency model, this program gives students the opportunity to teach alongside an effective cooperating teacher in a high-needs classroom as they engage in a carefully aligned sequence of academic coursework. University of Delaware’s (UD) teacher residents receive stipends and commit to teaching in Delaware for three years after their UD graduation.
This session will explore how UDMTA and UDTR are shaping adaptable, committed educators and supporting schools in building strong instructional teams.
Session 1: Not Offered
Session 2: Not Offered
Session 3: 301
Delaware State University: Elevating The Journey to Becoming a Teacher
As teacher educators, we strive to create learning experiences that best prepare preservice teachers for the complexities they will face when entering classrooms today. We aim to ensure our students are well-prepared, equity-minded, and classroom-ready educators. This presentation explores specific aspects of our teacher preparation models—course-embedded field experiences, yearlong residency experiences, and alternative routes to certification. Attendees will gain insight into how each supports candidate development, addresses workforce needs, and ensures all aspiring teachers have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential for day one success. This session highlights information and examples from our preparation programs focused on producing high-quality educators committed to student achievement and educational equity.
Session 1: Not Offered
Session 2: Not Offered
Session 3: 302
Delaware Department of Education: Data Retention and Pipeline Discussion
The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) collects and releases education-related data to update educators, families and communities about student progress in Delaware. These data points are critical for making decisions that enhance classroom learning, as well as public education across the state.
Engage in this discussion on data and the educator pipeline facilitated by the DDOE.
Session 1: Not Offered
Session 2: Not Offered
Session 3: 309
Delaware Technical Community College:
Building the Future- Strengthening Delaware’s Elementary Education Workforce Through Innovative Teacher Preparation
Join us to learn about how Delaware Tech’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education is working to support the elementary education workforce in Delaware. Learn more about how the program provides high-quality instruction and leverages strong partnerships with local school districts and charters to ensure students have robust experiential learning opportunities. Dive into curriculum that emphasizes evidence-based practices to produce teaching candidates who nurture all learners. Explore how the program culminates in a year-long residency experience to further diversify and strengthen the pipeline to Delaware schools.
Session 1: Not Offered
Session 2: Not Offered
Session 3: 310