Creating a Delaware Teachers Institute

One of our District teachers learned early in 2004 about the Yale National Initiative through her involvement in the Rodel Foundation, a private non-profit dedicated to significantly improving the education of Delaware students. Shortly thereafter in the Spring of 2004, that teacher, Cary Brandenberger Riches, and Ray Theilacker, her colleague at the Howard High School of Technology, were invited to participate in the Intensive Session of the Yale National Initiative, in Paul Fry's poetry seminar. Both teachers came away from the experience enthusiastic, but more importantly, they were empowered by their expanded content knowledge and teaching pedagogy. I was struck by their level of excitement and the high value they placed on their Yale experience. In the year following the seminar, both teachers had their work published on Yale's website, and also successfully taught their units, which were carefully aligned to District and State curriculum standards. It was impressive work.

As superintendent of the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District, I caught their excitement and knew early on that supporting the Yale National Initiative would result in important new learning for our participating teachers, and also could lead to quality professional development for potentially many more. Expanding that opportunity for other teachers became a priority. In the fall of 2004, Cary and Ray initiated a District conversation on the viability of a Delaware Institute modeled after their experience at Yale. These conversations quickly extended to other New Castle County School District leaders. Jim Vivian, Yale director, was most helpful guiding us in this conversation, as he was readily available to respond to our inquiries; in fact, he came to Wilmington for our initial discussion with the University of Delaware leaders and has graciously returned since to further our work. Ray Theilacker became our City Representative in 2006 and assumed responsibility for collaborating directly with our Fellows, serving as a school leader, and advocating for a Delaware Institute. Those early conversations centered on what a Delaware Institute might offer the teachers and students in our public schools, and how it could serve a population beyond the limits of one city, unlike Institutes elsewhere. At that point, it seemed wise as a first step to focus on New Castle County school districts, with the understanding that the ultimate goal is for all 19 of Delaware's school districts to participate in a statewide initiative. New Castle County, Delaware, has six school districts, serving approximately 60% of the state's students.

I approached Dennis Loftus, executive director of the University of Delaware's Academy of School Leaders (DASL), who quickly understood the possibilities of an Institute, and was helpful in arranging for a meeting with University of Delaware Provost Dan Rich and other university officials. Several informal meetings were held to discuss the Delaware Institute and the mechanics necessary to move forward. Additionally, the Yale model was presented at a Delaware Chief School Officers Association meeting. Shortly thereafter, four of the six New Castle County superintendents were able to commit to the planning process, and to support collaborative efforts to build a partnership with the University of Delaware. This became our first cohort group; together we would send a strong message to the University in our effort to gain their commitment for a Delaware Institute.

Two additional planning meetings were held and progress was made. While obstacles were recognized, it was made clear to us that the provost was receptive and felt a Delaware Institute was consistent with the University's long-term plans to create regional teacher professional development centers. The need for quality professional development had become a high priority for the University. Building upon the success of the Yale National Initiative represents a potentially important component of the University's regional center concept. Other important activities were simultaneously taking place, including on-going discussions with our school district Fellows about what a Delaware Institute would look like, and what roles and responsibilities they would assume with that goal in mind. We have also identified representatives in each of the other three interested school districts who serve as part of our county-wide planning committee and as liaisons for their district. This past year, four new Fellows were chosen for our team of ten to participate in the 2007 summer national seminars. The teachers' excitement was redoubled through this further involvement. We are determined at this point to make a concerted effort to bring the Institute model to more New Castle County teachers.

The success of the Yale New Haven partnership serves as evidence that such a plan locally would benefit our teachers and students. The Yale model brings two constituencies together in a unique partnership focused on content expertise and effective delivery of instruction. The unique collegial structure of institute seminars will strengthen the academic bonds between the University and school teaching faculties — a union that directly benefits instruction in our schools.

Recently, a plan initiated through our state's business roundtable has been launched, called Vision 2015. The plan, although ambitious, was thoroughly developed over an 18-month period to build a sustained statewide partnership among all constituent groups in order to elevate the Delaware public school system to a worldclass standard by the year 2015. It is our hope that the Yale Teachers Institute model will become embedded in our Delaware system of professional development as one of the key initiatives on the path to creating the best schools for our students.

Steven H. Godowsky is Superintendent of New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District in Delaware.