January 29, 2025

Governor Meyer taps national expert to lead education department

Governor Matt Meyer announced earlier this month that he will nominate Cindy Marten, former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, to be Delaware’s next Secretary of Education. Marten, once confirmed by the Delaware Senate, will bring a wealth of expertise as a teacher and superintendent, and a passionate commitment to equity and excellence in public education.

“Cindy Marten is a proven leader with a deep understanding of the challenges that students and educators face. She has spent her career working to ensure every student has the tools and resources they need to thrive,” said Governor Matt Meyer.  “As Delaware’s next Secretary of Education, Cindy will guide our classrooms into a brighter future where equity, opportunity, and excellence are at the heart of everything we do.”

Marten has spent her career advocating for policies and practices that help all students succeed, particularly those from historically underserved communities. Her appointment reflects Governor-elect Meyer’s continued dedication to transforming Delaware’s educational system to ensure every child, regardless of background or zip code, has access to a high-quality education.

“I am honored to join Governor-elect Meyer’s team and help lead Delaware’s public schools into a new era,” said former Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten. “I believe deeply in the power of education to change lives, and I am committed to working with teachers, parents, students, and communities to ensure all of Delaware’s children receive a world-class education.”

Marten has had a distinguished career as both a teacher and an administrator. As the Deputy Secretary of Education, she is responsible for K-12 initiatives while serving as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing a $230-billion budget and more than 4,000 federal employees. She has over 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher. She served as Superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District, the second-largest school district in California, for eight years, where she successfully implemented policies to close opportunity gaps, support educators, and increase graduation rates. Throughout her career, she has championed community engagement, student-centered learning, and the empowerment of educators as key drivers of success. Marten is also a strong proponent of multilingual education.

Delaware launches educational esports program

Delaware is launching a statewide educational esports program for K12 students, a groundbreaking initiative aiming to foster teamwork, critical thinking and STEM skills through competitive scholastic sports.

The Delaware Department of Education is partnering with local universities – Delaware State University, Goldey-Beacom College, University of Delaware and Wilmington University – and a Delaware-based esports organization, Futures First Gaming. Starting this month, the program will feature virtual competitions during the winter and spring seasons, culminating in March and April with in-person championship invitationals hosted at each participating institution. Five esports titles will provide diverse challenges for students of all skill levels.

“Esports opens up new avenues for student engagement, learning, and growth,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “This collaboration with Delaware institutes of higher education and Delaware esports organizations not only supports our ongoing commitment to integrating technology in education but also enhances our students’ educational experiences through competitive and team-based esports.”

The initiative also aims to connect students with university settings, exposing them to Delaware higher education academic programs and campuses, collegiate esports, and potential career paths connected to the gaming industry and beyond. 

“We are excited to bring such a dynamic program to Delaware’s students,” University of Delaware Esports Coordinator and Head Coach Kiernan Ensor said. “We hope to encourage more students to consider higher education and explore the growing esports field by hosting these championships.”

Delaware makes improvements in educator staffing

Delaware is seeing improvements in educator shortages thanks to targeted efforts and innovative practices to better recruit and retain school employees.

The just-released 2024 Delaware Excellent Educator Hiring Practices Survey shows a 52 percent decrease in open district positions (instructional and non-instructional) compared to a year ago.

Overall, 259 district staff positions remained unfilled at the end of the most recent hiring season. These unfilled positions represent about 2.5 percent of the total educator workforce, which includes 10,178 instructional and non-instructional staff members. (Note: Due to incomplete charter school data, the 2024 survey reports only on Delaware’s 19 school districts.)

“Making sure we have talented and experienced educators in our schools is critical for student learning,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “While educator shortages were a concern before the pandemic, COVID-19 exasperated the challenge. I am proud of how my team has supported this work and how district leaders have embraced new practices and strategies to fill these critical positions. While our work is not complete, Delaware is leading the nation in these efforts.”

A U.S. Department of Education report last year showed Delaware growing the educator workforce more than any other state in the country.

The Delaware Excellent Educator Hiring Practices Survey includes data and responses from district human resource offices across the state. The top five talent pools most frequently recruited by district/charter HR leads are: (1) alternative route to certification (ARTC) programs, with nearly all districts actively recruiting from the University of Delaware (95 percent) and Wilmington University (89 percent); (2) student teachers already teaching in the district (79 percent); (3) Wilmington University graduates (79 percent); (4) year-long teacher residency programs (74 percent); and (5) Delaware State University graduates (63 percent).

Six Delaware teachers have been named 2021-2023 Presidential Award recipients. From left to right: (top row) Michael Doody, Brittney Stewart, Marla Cobb, (bottom row) Jason Orlen, Brian Heeney and Michael Retemeyer.  

Former President Joe Biden has named six Delaware teachers recipients of the 2021 – 2023 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

The PAEMST is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade science, technology, engineering, or mathematics teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Up to 112 teachers are recognized each year.

Presidential Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a trip to Washington D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

Awardees also join an active network of outstanding educators from throughout the nation. Since 1983, more than 5,500 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. Awardees reflect the expertise and dedication of the Nation’s teaching corps, and they demonstrate the positive impact of excellent teachers on student achievement.

Delaware PAEMST Awardees announced this week

2021

Michael Reitemeyer, Mount Pleasant High School, Brandywine School District (mathematics)

Brian Heeney, Delcastle Technical High School, New Castle County Vocational Technical School District (science)

2022

Jason Orlen, East Millsboro Elementary School, Indian River School District (mathematics)

Maria Cobb, Mount Pleasant Elementary School, Brandywine School District (science)

2023

Brittney Stewart, Caesar Rodney High School, Caesar Rodney School District (mathematics)

Michael Doody, formerly of William Penn High School, Colonial School District (science)

“This is one of the highest recognitions a teacher can receive. Congratulations to these educators whose students know first-hand the power of great instruction,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “These teachers make science, technology, engineering and mathematics engaging and relevant to our students, and I am proud they are representing Delaware.”

In March, Delaware also named four finalists for the 2024 award, which the national program will decide upon at a future date. 

More information about each finalist and awardee is available here.  

2024 Teacher of the Year attends college football championship

2024 Delaware Teacher of the Year Cory Hafer attends the National College Football Championship in Atlanta (more pics). 

2024 Delaware Teacher of the Year Cory Hafer had the incredible experience of joining other state teachers of the year earlier this month at the National College Football Championship.

In addition to the game, Cory threw a football at an Eckrich marketing booth, winning $1,000 for his school. Cory is an engineering and science teacher at Middletown High School in the Appoquinimink School District. The weekend's activities also included a 10k Trophy Trot and a service project packing STEM kits in honor of Martin Luther King Day.

Delaware Department of Education I education.delaware.gov