Become a Teacher in Delaware

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Teaching in Delaware Snapshot

$63,640Secondary School Teacher Salary
$60,600Elementary School Teacher Salary
$14,713Public School Spending Per Student

All career and salary information pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statisticspupil expenditure information was provided by Governing

DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Collette Education Resource Center
35 Commerce Way, Suite 1
Dover, DE 19904
302-857-3388

Explore Featured Degree Options in Education

Featured Online programs
University Name Type of Program Learn More Program Description
University of Southern California Master of Arts in Teaching Learn more about USC Rossier The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education prepares you to become a transformative K–12 teacher. Through live online classes and enriching field experiences in your community, you can earn your MAT in less than 18 months without relocating.
Fordham University Master of Science in Teaching Learn more from Fordham University Fordham University’s online Master of Science in Teaching program prepares aspiring teachers (grades 1-6) for initial teaching certification or dual certification in teaching and special education.
Vanderbilt University Master of Education in School Counseling Learn more about Vanderbilt Peabody Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers an online Master of Education in human development counseling with a specialization in school counseling for students interested in becoming school counselors and making a meaningful difference in K–12 settings.

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Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Delaware

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. Teach.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. (Last update: 01/06/2019)

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Prerequisite Coursework in Delaware

All states require that prospective teachers have at least a Bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program to receive certification.  Some states also have specific course and credit-hour requirements.

Teacher education programs generally consist of two elements—curricula and fieldwork. Curricula generally include instruction on teaching fundamental skills, pedagogy (the science of teaching) and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. Fieldwork often includes field observations, internships, student teaching or a combination of all three.

Check with your teacher preparation program or the Department of Education for more information about specific requirements. Delaware does not list specific course or credit hour requirements, but every college or university teacher preparation program will have requirements of its own.

Contact your teacher preparation program or the Department of Education for more information. Delaware does allow 91 hours of substitute teaching in lieu of completing a formal student teaching program.

 

2

Delaware Teacher Certification Programs

Teacher certification programs can be taken online or on-site. They typically include an educational theory and classroom skills seminar and a fieldwork component of student teaching in the area.

 

3

Required Tests for Delaware

Delaware requires a passing score on the Praxis I Math, Reading and Writing exams and the Praxis II: Subject Test in your subject area to earn a Standard Certificate.

You can learn more about the Praxis exams by visiting Teach.coms' Ultimate Guide to the Praxis Exams and read more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.

Initial Teaching Certifications

To attain a Delaware teaching credential you will have to complete the appropriate amount of undergraduate coursework and standardized tests, as well as an accredited certification program. Delaware issues an Initial License (valid for 3 years), a Continuing License after 3 years of successful teaching experience (renewable every 5 years), and an Advanced License (renewable every 10 years) for teachers who have received National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification. Delaware also issues Standard Certificates to teach a particular category, level or subject area.

Visit the Delaware Department of Education to learn more about earning your teaching credential in Delaware or read more about getting your teaching credential on Teach.com.

Discover an 8-week Online Teaching Short Course from Harvard's Bok Center

Learn more about an 8-week short course from Harvard's Bok Center

Earn recognition of your ability to develop and deliver a memorable teaching experience when you receive a premier certificate from Harvard’s Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, in association with HarvardX, upon successful course completion.

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Alternative Certification in Delaware

The Delaware Department of Education sponsors the Alternative Routes to Certification (ARTC) program, which allows teachers to complete their teaching certification while teaching in schools with a shortage of certified teachers. Delaware also has the Delaware Transition to Teaching Partnership (DT3P) for career changers or college graduates with non-education majors who are willing to teach in a high-needs area while working on their certification.

See the full range of alternative certification opportunities at the Delaware Department of Education website. Veterans may also be eligible for the Mid-Atlantic Region Troops to Teachers program

Delaware Teacher Certification Information & Links

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Transferring Your Certification

Certification Reciprocity in Delaware

Interstate reciprocity is a program that allows teachers certified in one state to teach in another state. To find out which other state teaching licenses can be used in Delaware, visit the Teach.com reciprocity page.

For more specific questions about your situation, contact the Delaware Department of Education.

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Jobs, Benefits, and Opportunities for Teachers in Delaware

Delaware Teaching Jobs

Candidates for Delaware teaching jobs can visit Join Delaware Schools. Beside job listings, this site provides information about schools and districts. Read more about finding a teaching job on Teach.com.

Delaware Teacher Salary and Incentives

According the National Center for Education Statistics, the average teacher in Delaware makes $60,214 per year. Delaware is one of the highest paying states to teach in, although it does not provide any additional pay for teaching high-demand districts or school subject.

Learn more about teacher salaries on Teach.com.

Delaware Teacher Benefits and Retirement

Teachers become vested in the state retirement system after at least 5 years of service. Although Delaware does not have a teacher retirement system, there is a retirement system for all public employees. Delaware's Pension Plan for Public Employees is explained in detail on the organization's website. School districts elect the remainder of the benefits such as health care plans and vacation days.

Learn more about benefits for teachers on Teach.com.

Delaware Teacher Shortage Areas

The United States Department of Education defines a Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) as a subject matter or grade level within a state in which there is an inadequate supply of elementary or secondary teachers.  The shortage may be caused by teaching positions that are unfilled or are filled by teachers who have temporary certification or teach in in academic subject other than their area of preparation.  According to a report by the USDE Office of Postsecondary Education, Delaware has the following Teacher Shortage Areas:

  • ESOL/Bilingual
  • Foreign Language
  • Mathematics
  • Nurses
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Psychologists
  • Science
  • Special Education
  • Speech Pathologists

Financial Aid in Delaware

Delaware residents are eligible for the  Applegate/Jackson/Parks Future Teacher Scholarship, as well as the TEACH Grant, which gives financial aid to students in return for an agreement to teach in a high-need school.

Learn more about how to finance your Master's degree on Teach.com.

Career Advancement

Professional Development for Delaware Teachers

The mission of Delaware’s Professional Development Program is to promote excellence in both the educators and the students. Every 5 years, a teacher in Delaware must complete 90 hours of Professional Development credits, as well as whatever requirements the school district requires. Teachers holding an Initial license must undergo at least one year of mentoring. Learn more about Delaware’s professional development opportunities on the Delaware Department Education website.

Benefits of a Master's Degree in Delaware

It is no longer enough to just have years of experience for teaching. After No Child Left Behind and other academic quantification measures, the careers of teachers increasingly depend on their results in the classroom. A master's degree in the field of education can give you more educational theory and classroom skills, as well as more hands-on student teaching experience with a mentor.

After a Master’s program, you may be able to achieve better results in the classroom and have more job security and higher pay. Even with no extra experience, a Master’s degree is valued to be worth at least an additional $3,900 per year over a Bachelor’s, according the job website Join Delaware Schools.

Learn more about the benefits of a Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education on Teach.com.

Explore Featured Program Options in Education

Featured Online programs
University Name Type of Program Program Description
University of Southern California Master of Arts in Teaching The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares you to become a transformative K–12 teacher. Through live online classes and enriching field experiences in your community, you can earn your MAT in less than 18 months without relocating.
Fordham University Master of Science in Teaching The online Master of Science in Teaching program prepares aspiring teachers (grades 1-6) for initial teaching certification or dual certification in teaching and special education.
Harvard University Advanced Certification in Teaching The 8-week Teaching and Learning Strategies for Higher Education online short course is delivered by Harvard’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, in association with HarvardX. Students in this course will engage deeply with the most relevant research on effective teaching methods in the higher education context, while refining their own practices, portfolio, and teaching philosophy.
Vanderbilt University Master of Education in School Counseling Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers an online Master of Education in human development counseling with a specialization in school counseling for students interested in becoming school counselors and making a meaningful difference in K–12 settings.

Sponsored Program