Delaware grows future teachers from within its schools and communities

Delaware is supporting 67 school-based professionals to take the next step toward becoming teachers, strengthening the educator workforce while keeping talented adults connected to the students and communities they already serve.

Earlier this month, the new teacher apprentices, who represent 12 Delaware school districts and charter schools, signed commitments to begin their programs in Fall 2026.

The new cohort includes high school Teacher Academy graduates as well as paraprofessionals and other school-based professionals selected by their districts and charter schools to advance through Delaware's educator apprenticeship pipeline. Together, they represent the next generation of educators preparing to serve Delaware students and communities.

With the addition of the new cohort, Delaware will support 105 educator apprentices. Across Delaware's educator pathway initiatives-including the Paraprofessional Registered Occupation (PRO) pathway, K-12 Teacher Apprenticeship, and K-12 Grow Your Own Para-to-Teacher Program-a total of 201 participants have been prepared or are currently preparing to become educators in Delaware schools.

Building Pathways Into Teaching

Delaware's educator pathways are designed for individuals already working in schools who want to become teachers of record in the districts and charter schools they serve.

Through low-cost or no-cost preparation programs, apprentices continue working with students while completing coursework, receiving mentoring, participating in job-embedded learning, and ultimately serving as teacher residents. The programs provide a structured, earn-and-learn pathway to educator certification while helping schools develop and retain talented educators from within their own communities.

"Every student deserves a great teacher who knows their community, believes in their potential, and is prepared to help them succeed," Secretary of Education Cindy Marten said. "These apprentices are already serving students in Delaware schools. This pathway honors that experience, removes barriers to becoming a teacher, and helps us grow excellent educators from within the communities they already know and love."

Educator pathways are a key part of Delaware's broader effort to strengthen the educator workforce, address staffing challenges, and ensure students have access to excellent teaching in every community.

Day One Ready

Just days before Signing Day, Delaware celebrated graduates from its second educator apprenticeship cohort.

Because apprentices complete their preparation while working in schools, graduates enter the profession with classroom experience, instructional practice, and established relationships with students and colleagues.

"I believe in this program because it provides individuals with the opportunity to gain real classroom experience. In addition, it allows me to take the required courses to build the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful educator," said Tynetta Washington, a PRO apprentice from Seaford School District.

Sharon Livingston, a K-12 Teacher Apprentice from the Appoquinimink School District, said the program "creates a supportive, hands-on pathway into the profession, allowing educators to learn and grow in real classroom settings.

"I believe strongly in the power of mentorship, and this program ensures new teachers receive the guidance and feedback they need to succeed. Ultimately, it strengthens both educators and student outcomes, making it a powerful investment in the future of education," Livingston said.

Secretary Marten said implementation is where this succeeds or fails: "What makes this work powerful is that apprentices learn while serving students every day. By the time they become teachers of record, they have already built relationships, developed instructional skills, and gained experience in real classrooms. That's good for students, good for schools, and good for Delaware."

A Statewide Commitment

The continued expansion of Delaware's educator pathways reflects a coordinated investment by school districts, charter schools, higher education institutions, workforce partners, state agencies, and community leaders.

Together, these partners are helping Delaware strengthen its educator workforce, reduce barriers to entering the profession, and create sustainable pathways that recognize the experience and talent already present in Delaware schools.

"This is how Delaware moves from good ideas to real impact," Marten said. "Districts, charter schools, higher education partners, workforce leaders, and state agencies are working toward the same goal: making sure every student has access to a well-prepared, caring educator."

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The 67 members of the Fall 2026 cohort represent the following 12 districts and charter schools:

1. Appoquinimink School District

1. Brandywine School District

1. Capital School District

1. Charter School of New Castle

1. Christina School District

1. Colonial School District

1. Indian River School District

1. Laurel School District

1. Newark Charter School

1. Seaford School District

1. Smyrna School District

1. Woodbridge School District

Media contact: Alison May, [email protected], 302-735-4006