University launches new teaching certification alternative in Sussex

Delaware State University is now part of an effort to reverse the trend of growing teacher shortages in Sussex County.

As part of its inheritance of academic programs through the acquisition of Wesley College, the University has added a Master of Art in Teaching (MAT) degree to its offerings. That program is now supporting the implementation of the Alternate Route to Certification (ARTC) program.

Through this program, people who have bachelor’s degrees in content areas can now obtain teaching certification through the University’s MAT Program. In addition, Sussex County school districts will permit such individuals to teach in their schools while they are working on their MAT degree.

Dr. Tina Mitchell, MAT Program Coordinator, notes that school districts are losing teachers due to retirements, and some of that is attributable to the COVID pandemic – now entering its third year globally. Institutions of higher education, she added, have not been able to produce the number of teachers needed to fill the growing vacancies.

“We believe it is our responsibility to rebuild the teaching force. We can’t do that alone. And the districts can’t do it alone,” Dr. Mitchell said. “So, it only makes sense for us to work together on this effort. For us, this begins with forming partnerships, like the one we are building with the districts of Sussex County.”

Ned Gladfelter, Supervisor of Human Resources for the Cape Henlopen School District, said the program will help provide more teachers for the schools in Delaware’s southernmost county.

“The partnership between Delaware State University and the Sussex County school districts, through the Master of Arts in Teaching Program will provided an opportunity to increase the number of secondary teachers available to work within our schools,” Mr. Gladfelter said.  “Having candidates to complete a program such as this, through the cohort model, will allow them to collaborate with others in a supportive environment as they complete their coursework and degree.”

Woodbridge Middle School has already gained a new teacher from the new MAT/ARTC partnership.

Katie Fry, who completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees both in Environmental Science in 2020 from Wesley College, was working unhappily in a grant management position at a large university and wanted to become a teacher. After a conversation with her Wesley thesis advisor Dr. Robert Marstellar (now a visiting professor at Del State), he connected her with Dr. Mitchell who set her up with the program. Woodbridge School District immediate hired Ms. Fry as a 6th grade Earth Science teacher.

Ms. Fry said this large-scale career change came at a point in her life when she was financially unstable and emotionally lost after the passing of her Mother. 

“I am currently able to make a full-time salary and benefits while obtaining my teaching certification and an additional master’s degree.” Ms. Fry said. “This has allowed me to provide for myself and my family while working towards the degree that will allow me to continue my passion for improving the scientific literacy of the members of my community.”

She added that “I am forever grateful to the program and to Dr. Tina Mitchell.”

For more information about the University’s Master of Arts in Teaching and the Alternative Route to Certification program, go to https://chess.desu.edu/departments/education/teaching-mat.