The WLC leads a number of initiatives and programs to support aspiring and current educators in navigating the path to reaching their goals. Whether you are a paraprofessional or long term substitute interested in becoming a certified teacher or a current teacher looking for support along your journey as an educator. In collaboration with districts, DDOE and university partners, we can provide additional support. We offer a variety of programs, individualized support and professional learning opportunities for educators of all backgrounds. You can sign up to receive more information on our educator pathway support by completing the WLC interest form or reach out to [email protected].
WLC Signature Teacher Leader Programs
Teacher Leadership Design Fellowship (TLDF)
Driving towards a bolder vision for teacher leadership!
Program Overview
The WLC Teacher Leadership Design Fellowship is a multi-year leadership development and design lab journey for experienced educators in WLC schools. Teacher Leaders from across our 9 WLC schools and 2 charter school partners spent the 2024-2025 school year engaging in meaningful professional development, experiential learning, and design lab experiences.
Fellows will continue to develop their leadership role as teacher leaders in year 2 during the 2025-2026 school year. Teacher Leaders in this program will implement school-wide initiatives, develop instructional leadership and scale innovative classroom practices that enhance student engagement and learning.
The Experience
TLDF is a multi-year teacher leadership model designed to support experienced educators in developing their leadership role as teacher leaders. During the 2025-2026 school year fellows will:
- Lead school wide initiatives that strengthen school conditions and lay the foundation for the teacher leadership vision of the future.
- Professional Learning in a chosen pathway
- Instructional Leadership Support: Fellows in this pathway receive continued training & coaching to develop mastery of their craft and the skills to effectively mentor and coach fellow educators.
- Student Experience Design Project: Fellows in this pathway continue designing and implementing new student learning experiences and lay the foundation for a future school-wide implementation of promising innovations.
- Training & Professional Development: The cohort engages in monthly cross school community of practice sessions centered on instructional leadership training topics and community-based design workshops.
Partners
Teacher Innovation Lab (TIL)
Developing the Teacher Leader Pipeline of the future!
Program Overview
The Teacher Innovation Lab is a year-long professional development fellowship for experienced educators ready to strengthen the conditions for change in their classrooms. Participants strengthen their instructional practice while developing the mindset, skills, and confidence to design and test innovative solutions. Educators will learn to lead student-centered classroom environments that foster high student engagement and increased learning outcomes.
This year-long fellowship includes:
- Coaching – Fellows are assigned a coach to support their growth along the path to becoming a master classroom teacher and reflective practitioner. Fellows receive weekly real-time coaching, modeling/co-teaching and support you with planning and developing content knowledge.
- Experiential Learning – Travel on “inspiration visits” and engage in workshop experiences exposing fellows to innovative schools beyond the local context. These “inspiration visits” are designed to inspire actionable shifts and fellows receive onsite support for translating learning into practice, designing and testing new practices that shift student learning experiences.
- Training & Professional Development – The cohort engages in monthly cross school community of practice sessions centered on instructional leadership training topics and community-based design workshops.
Fellows receive an annual stipend for participation in this fellowship.
Application & Selection Timeline:
We encourage teachers to apply early as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Application Opens: Monday, July 27
- Application Deadline: Sunday, August 30
- Principal reference conversations will occur for finalist applicants and 1 peer reference is reviewed as part of the selection process.
- Applicant selection notifications will be communicated by September 11
Please review this one-pager for information on the experience, criteria and benefits prior to completing this application. We anticipate the application should take you approximately 60-90 minutes to complete.
Please reach out to Carly Highsmith: [email protected] for more information or questions.
Partners
Participating schools
Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy
The Bayard School
Harlan Elementary School
Joseph E. Johnson Elementary School
William C. Lewis Dual Language Elementary School
Pulaski Early Education Center
Stubbs Early Education Center
Warner Elementary School
Shortlidge Academy
New Teacher Lab
Program Overview
The New Teacher Lab is a year-long professional development fellowship for novice educators with 2 or 3 years of teaching experience who are invested in strengthening their instructional capacity and are ready to explore new teaching and learning solutions in their classrooms. Participants strengthen their instructional practice while developing the mindset, skills, and confidence to implement innovative solutions. Educators will learn to lead student-centered classroom environments that foster high student engagement and increased learning outcomes.
This is a pilot program for the 2026-2027 school year that will learn alongside the Teacher Innovation Lab cohort in a differentiated experience.
Please review this one-pager for information on the experience, criteria and benefits prior to completing this application. We anticipate the application should take you approximately 60-90 minutes to complete.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling admissions basis with the final deadline on August 30th at 11:59pm.
Transformative Education Pathway (TEP)
Empowering educators & community members to make an impact in education!
This pathway is designed for diverse educators to earn a bachelor’s degree through College Unbound and carve their path to becoming leaders and change-makers in education. The WLC Transformative Education Pathway (TEP) is a unique opportunity for a cohort of 10 staff members in city of Wilmington schools to pursue a tuition-free Bachelor’s degree beginning in January 2025. Graduates will be supported in entering an Alternative Route to Certification (ARTC) program to pursue teaching certification and commit to a teaching placement within the city of Wilmington.
Learn more at www.collegeunbound.edu
Applications are now closed for the WLC cohort. Interested candidates for future cohorts should reach out to [email protected]
Journey to Certification
Guiding You Along Your Teacher Pathway!
The WLC leads a number of initiatives and programs to support aspiring and current educators in navigating the path to reaching their goals. We offer a variety of programs, individualized support and professional learning opportunities for educators of all backgrounds. Click the “Learn More” below for more information on:
- Teacher Assessment Preparation Program (T.A.P.P.)
- 240 Tutoring
- Alternative Routes to Certification (ARTC) Programs
- Teacher Pipeline Programs
- Financial Supports For Delaware Educators