October 2026

Delaware supports Milford's return to learning following fire

As Lulu M. Ross Elementary School students prepare to return to in-person learning Monday, November 2 following Sunday's devastating fire, the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) is working alongside Milford School District to minimize lost learning time and protect the district's academic progress.

Milford made some of Delaware's strongest academic gains this past year, and district leaders have kept teaching and learning at the center of their recovery efforts. Reconnecting students with their teachers, classmates and instructional supports is a priority as the district works to restore routines and maintain academic momentum.

Superintendent Travis Moorman, Principal Kimberly Webb and teams across Milford are leading a recovery affecting several school communities. To make room for Ross' second through fourth graders at Milford Middle School, sixth graders will move to Milford Central Academy. The transition requires students and educators at both receiving schools to adjust classrooms, schedules and routines while continuing their own learning.

"As Ross students return to classrooms, I am grateful to the Milford Middle School and Milford Central Academy students and staff who are adjusting their spaces and routines to welcome them. We recognize how much these changes ask of both school communities. Their flexibility and care are helping students return to the relationships, routines and instruction they need. Milford has made some of Delaware's strongest academic gains, and our shared commitment is to protect that progress and keep students learning throughout the recovery," Secretary of Education Cindy Marten said.

DDOE has mobilized teams across instruction, facilities, technology, transportation, finance and student services to support Milford's recovery plan. Department staff have volunteered to help pack and relocate sixth-grade classrooms, while additional staff are providing classroom coverage Monday to give educators time to support the transition. DDOE is also coordinating with district leaders to address instructional materials, replacement technology, assistive devices, transportation and purchasing needs, while exploring available federal emergency funding and other financial resources. These efforts are focused on removing barriers so educators can concentrate on teaching and students can return to learning.

Public resources are being coordinated to address essential classroom, instructional and student support needs as Milford continues assessing the impact of the fire. While the state is providing all needed school supplies, community members who would like to support Ross educators and students as they return to learning with other needs can make tax-deductible donations through the United Way of Delaware or the Buccaneers Foundation. These are the only district-organized fundraising campaigns, helping direct contributions toward needs identified by Milford.

Monday's return to in-person instruction is an important step, but recovery will continue well beyond the reopening of classrooms. DDOE will remain alongside Milford, listening to students, educators and families, resolving challenges and following through as needs change to protect instructional time and support continued student learning.

Christina teacher named Delaware 2027 Teacher of the Year

A multilingual learner teacher from the Christina School District is Delaware’s 2027 State Teacher of the Year. 

Dr. Jessica Liu of Etta J. Wilson Elementary School now is Delaware’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year. Secretary of Education Cindy Marten made the announcement tonight during a Dover ceremony to honor the 20 district/charter teachers of the year. 

Liu’s teaching philosophy centers on high expectations, meaningful relationships and a strong sense of belonging. A 10-year classroom veteran, she believes students’ languages, cultures, interests and experiences should shape instruction, helping them see their identities as strengths. 

“My students’ backgrounds enrich every lesson, while their connections, questions, and misconceptions continually refine my practice. Over the past decade, they’ve taught me that responsiveness isn’t about changing the destination; it’s about creating new pathways to help every learner reach their goal,” Liu said. 

Her principal, Mabel Boutte, said Liu creates a classroom with “a dynamic, inclusive, and student-centered environment where all learners feel valued, challenged, and supported.” 

Boutte said 100 percent of Liu’s multilingual learners met or exceeded their growth goals on their English language proficiency state testing: “This success is a direct result of her skillful differentiation, culturally responsive teaching practices, and consistent use of data to inform and adjust instruction, ensuring high levels of achievement for every student.” 

Video: Meet the 20 district/charter Teachers of the Year

Twenty Delaware educators were selected from among the nearly 10,000 public school teachers in the state as nominees for the 2027 Delaware Teacher of the Year award, which was announced earlier this month in Dover. The nominees each represent one of the state's 19 school districts and network of charter schools.

Candidates were nominated by their districts or the charter network during the 2026 calendar year because of their superior ability to inspire students with a love of learning, exemplary demonstration of professional traits and strong sense of dedication and devotion to teaching. Check out this video to learn more about what makes these teachers so amazing.

How Delaware measures school success should reflect what matters most: student learning, progress and the support schools need to help every student succeed.

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) is developing a new School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF) to strengthen how school performance is measured, recognize progress and connect schools with targeted support to improve student outcomes.

To provide more opportunities for public input, the feedback period has been extended through Friday, November 20, 2026.

Families, educators, students and community members are encouraged to review the draft framework and participate in one of two upcoming town halls:

• Monday, Nov. 9, 6–7:30 p.m.: Hybrid town hall at the Collette Education Resource Center in Dover (register for virtual option).
• November 17, 6–7:30 p.m.: Virtual town hall (register)

The proposed framework represents an important shift toward meaningful accountability, recognizing school progress while identifying where additional support is needed. The goal is to ensure accountability leads to action and action leads to stronger outcomes for students.

Public feedback is an essential part of shaping a system that reflects the needs of Delaware's students, families and schools.

Visit School Performance and Support Framework to review the proposal, register for a town hall and submit feedback by November 20.

Delaware students explore college, career during Launch month

Students across Delaware are taking important steps toward life after high school during Launch Into Your Future Month, a statewide initiative connecting students with the information, resources and experiences they need to plan for college, careers, military service and other opportunities.

At Indian River High School, students kicked off the month with College Application Week. Representatives from nine colleges visited the school to meet with students, answer questions and share information about postsecondary opportunities. With support from Stand By Me NEXGEN, 60 seniors received help creating their Federal Student Aid (FSA) IDs, and more than 30 completed the student portion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Indian River continued its activities with Career Awareness Week, introducing students to careers in cosmetology, barbering, emergency medical services, law enforcement, automotive repair, environmental fields and the military.

Cape Henlopen High School educators are also helping students explore their options and develop plans for their futures. A recent visit from Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Marten highlighted the school's efforts to provide students with individualized guidance, explore postsecondary pathways and help them identify the steps needed to achieve their goals.

Marten also joined students at Odyssey Charter School as they practiced interviewing for jobs and internships, helping them strengthen communication skills and build confidence for future employment opportunities.

"Every student deserves the support, information and resources to make an informed decision about what comes next and take the steps to get there," Marten said. "Whether students are applying to college, exploring a career and technical program, considering military service or pursuing another pathway, our responsibility is to help them move forward with confidence."

Through Launch Into Your Future Month, schools across Delaware are helping students connect their interests and goals with real opportunities, turning plans for the future into meaningful next steps.

Learn more about college and career planning resources at Launch Into Your Future Month.

Delaware Department of Education I education.delaware.gov