Delaware Educator Path: From Teacher Academy Student to Superintendent
A stackable, supported pathway with multiple entry points—building and advancing a diverse pipeline of educators and leaders for every Delaware student.
Stage 1 of 9
Teacher Academy Student
Preparation (What prepares you for this role)
- Teacher Academy coursework & experiences
- Education career exploration
- Mentors & role models
Certification (Delaware Requirements)
- N/A
Experience (Minimum Recommended)
- Early exposure to education careers & leadership
Compensation Examples* (Varies by LEA)
- Stipends for Academy students (varies by LEA/grants)
Supports & Opportunities (State & Local)
- Teacher Academy Career counseling
- Classroom observations
- Exploration of education pathways
Cross-Career Support (Evaluation & Feedback): Evaluator Credentialing & Calibration
Paraprofessional
Preparation (What prepares you for this role)
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Paraprofessional training options
Certification (Delaware Requirements)
- Pass Praxis assessment for permit (para)
Experience (Minimum Recommended)
- Support students & educators in classrooms and schools
Compensation Examples* (Varies by LEA)
- LEA salary schedule
- Tuition assistance programs
Supports & Opportunities (State & Local)
- PRO (Paraprofessional Registered Occupation) pathway
- Career ladder opportunities
- Professional learning supports
Cross-Career Support (Evaluation & Feedback): Learning Walks
Certified Educator (Early Career)
Preparation (What prepares you for this role)
- Teacher preparation program (college or alternative route)
- Clinical practice
- Content area expertise
Certification (Delaware Requirements)
- Pass Praxis assessment for certification (teacher)
Experience (Minimum Recommended)
- Teacher residency programs
- Beginning classroom teaching
Compensation Examples* (Varies by LEA)
- LEA salary schedule (Bachelor's lane)
- NBCT stipend (where available)
- Hard-to-staff incentive (where available)
Supports & Opportunities (State & Local)
- Induction & mentoring
- Professional Learning Communities
- Grow Your Own supports
- SST Teacher Course of Teaching opportunities
- SST Teacher Facilitator Opportunities
Cross-Career Support (Evaluation & Feedback): Leadership Lift Sessions
Teacher Leader
Preparation (What prepares you for this role)
- Leadership development
- Instructional coaching
- School improvement work
- Optional credentials/micro-credentials
Certification (Delaware Requirements)
- Delaware Educator License (Continuing or Advanced)
- May include endorsements (e.g., Reading, Math, SEL)
- May include micro-credentials
- May include advanced certification
Experience (Minimum Recommended)
- Demonstrated teacher effectiveness
- Leadership in classroom or school initiatives
Compensation Examples* (Varies by LEA)
- Stipends for teacher leader roles (e.g., mentor, PL lead, department chair)
- Advanced degree lane movement
- Additional supplements for hard-to-staff or high-need roles
Supports & Opportunities (State & Local)
- Teacher Leadership Academy
- Instructional coaching
- Leadership micro-credentials
- School improvement teams
- SST Teacher Facilitator Opportunities
Cross-Career Support (Evaluation & Feedback): Evaluation Lead Network
Assistant Principal
Preparation (What prepares you for this role)
- Educational leadership preparation program (approved program or alternative route)
- Leadership internships
- Principal shadowing
Certification (Delaware Requirements)
- School Principal & Assistant School Principal Standard Certificate
- 14 DE Admin. Code 1503
Experience (Minimum Recommended)
- 4 years successful educator experience
- Leadership assessment (Praxis S412, SLLA 6990, or equivalent)
Compensation Examples* (Varies by LEA)
- Administrative salary schedule
- Performance-based compensation (where adopted by LEA)
- Tuition reimbursement
Supports & Opportunities (State & Local)
- Aspiring Administrator Academy
- Mentoring & coaching
- Leadership network
Cross-Career Support (Evaluation & Feedback): Student Improvement Component (SIC) Work
Principal
Preparation (What prepares you for this role)
- Advanced leadership preparation
- School leadership residency
- Leadership coaching
Certification (Delaware Requirements)
- School Principal & Assistant School Principal Standard Certificate
- 14 DE Admin. Code 1503
Experience (Minimum Recommended)
- 4 years successful educator experience (including leadership)
- Pass leadership assessment (Praxis S412, SLLA 6990, or equivalent)
Compensation Examples* (Varies by LEA)
- Administrative salary schedule (principal lane)
- Performance-based compensation (where adopted by LEA)
- Tuition reimbursement
Supports & Opportunities (State & Local)
- New Principal Induction
- Delaware Principal Network
- Leadership coaching
- Principal residency programs
Cross-Career Support (Evaluation & Feedback): Data-informed Feedback & Goal Setting
Central Office Leader
Preparation (What prepares you for this role)
- Advanced leadership preparation
- Budget/operations training
- Policy & program development
- State-level institutes
Certification (Delaware Requirements)
- Certified Central Office Personnel Standard Certificate
- 14 DE Admin. Code 1503
Experience (Minimum Recommended)
- 5+ years educator experience
- Experience in school or district leadership
Compensation Examples* (Varies by LEA)
- Administrative/central office salary schedule
- Performance-based compensation (where adopted by LEA)
- Professional development funding
Supports & Opportunities (State & Local)
- Strategic planning institutes
- Cross-department collaboration
- State-level fellowships
- Leadership networks
Cross-Career Support (Evaluation & Feedback): Professional Growth Planning
Assistant/Deputy Superintendent
Preparation (What prepares you for this role)
- Superintendent preparation program (approved program or alternative route)
- Executive leadership coaching
Certification (Delaware Requirements)
- Superintendent & Assistant Superintendent Standard Certificate
- 14 DE Admin. Code 1503
Experience (Minimum Recommended)
- 4 years successful educator experience
- 2 years successful leadership experience (principal, central office admin., spec. edu. dir., or similar)
- Pass assessment (Praxis 6991)
Compensation Examples* (Varies by LEA)
- Administrative salary schedule
- Performance-based compensation (where adopted by LEA)
- Relocation incentives (where available)
Supports & Opportunities (State & Local)
- Executive leadership coaching
- Cross-agency projects
- Statewide leadership networks
Superintendent
Preparation (What prepares you for this role)
- Executive leadership
- Board governance
- Legislative & policy advocacy
- Superintendent mentoring
Certification (Delaware Requirements)
- Superintendent & Assistant Superintendent Standard Certificate
- 14 DE Admin. Code 1503
Experience (Minimum Recommended)
- 4 years successful educator experience
- 2 years successful superintendent-level leadership
- Pass assessment (Praxis 6991)
Compensation Examples* (Varies by LEA)
- Superintendent salary schedule
- Performance-based compensation (where adopted by LEA)
- Housing allowance (where applicable)
- Relocation incentives
Supports & Opportunities (State & Local)
- Superintendent mentoring
- Board governance training
- Legislative advocacy experiences
- State executive leadership fellowships
Multiple Entry Points
- High School Students (Teacher Academy & Youth Pre-Apprenticeship)
- Paraprofessionals
- Career Changers
- Substitute Teachers
- Registered Apprentices (Teacher & Leadership)
Delaware Policies & Regulations That Support This Path
- 1501 Salary Supplements for Educators
- 1503 Comprehensive Educator Induction Programs
- 1504 Certificate of Eligibility
- 1510 Initial License
- 1511 Continuing License
- 1512 Advanced License
- 1517 Paraeducator Permit
*Compensation varies by Local Education Agency (LEA). Incentives and supplements subject to LEA policies and funding.
