Delaware is investing in its future educators through a new pilot program to grow Delaware’s teacher workforce from within our schools.
This school year, 10 dedicated educators are serving registered paraprofessional apprentices through the new Paraprofessional Registered Occupation (PRO) program. PRO is designed to keep students at the center by building a strong, diverse teacher workforce who already know and love their communities.
Launched this fall in Appoquinimink and Seaford school districts, with expansion planned statewide next year, the program is funded by the Delaware Department of Labor and supported by the Delaware Department of Education, Delaware Technical and Community College and Wilmington University.

A Two-Year “Earn and Learn” Pathway

PRO offers two pathways into teaching:
• Teacher Academy graduates who are eager to stay in classrooms while earning their college credits
• Current paraprofessionals seeking to complete the 60 education credits needed to advance toward certification
Apprentices work full-time supporting students in classrooms while completing Associate’s Degree-equivalent coursework in the evenings and asynchronously. Within about two years, they are ready to take the next steps toward becoming licensed classroom teachers.
“We believe in our teachers, both those in classrooms today and those preparing to lead and teach tomorrow,” said Secretary of Education Cindy Marten. “PRO strengthens our educator workforce by supporting paraprofessionals who already know our children, families, and schools. This apprenticeship program removes unnecessary barriers, allowing them to keep making a difference while earning the credentials to teach. They’re not just earning degrees; they’re making an immediate, positive impact for students right now. That’s good for students, good for our workforce and good for Delaware.”

Changing Lives and Classrooms

For recent Appoquinimink High graduate Kara Jessop, PRO is a dream come true. Jessop is now a paraprofessional working in the LIFE 18-22 year-old-program at her alma mater.

“I always wanted to get the most hands-on experience in college, and I felt this was the best option for me. When looking at colleges, I was looking at programs in education that would get me into the classroom as soon as possible, so when I heard of this program, I felt it was the perfect fit for me,” Jessop said. “When discussing this option with my parents, they asked me if I was worried about missing out on the college experience, but in my heart I felt that getting as much work experience while in college would be more beneficial in the long run.

“I struggle to pick just one thing that excites me about this program because everything about it brings me joy,” Jessop said. “Anytime that I tell someone about the program I feel my face light up with a smile because I believe this program to be life-changing – not only for the apprentices but the entire future of education.”

School Leaders Agree

For Delaware’s school districts and charter schools, it’s an opportunity to grow their teacher workforce from their own staff.

“Our paraprofessionals already know our students, staff and community so well, and this program lets them keep making an impact in Seaford while advancing their own education and careers,” said Nikki Miller, Seaford’s Supervisor of Instruction. “It’s an investment in people we know are committed to staying with us and growing alongside our district.”

A National Model

Delaware’s effort is being recognized nationally as an innovative way to address teacher shortages while raising the bar for student learning.
“Delaware is working to break down barriers for those who want to be a teacher,” Delaware Department of Labor Secretary LaKresha Moultrie said. “This pilot program proved we can continue to increase our educator pipeline through recruiting, training, and supporting aspiring educators, and I’m excited to see this expand to more school districts in the First State.”
Marten is proud that Delaware is a national leader in this work.

“When I was the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education, this was the goal – create apprenticeships that would remove barriers to becoming a teacher,” Marten said. “Delaware is showing the nation how to do it – with excellence, urgency, and relentless focus on student outcomes. I love seeing how Delaware has taken that vision and is implementing and scaling it.”

Four Delaware schools have earned the 2025-26 Sapphire Award for Excellence in School Counseling, a recognition that honors school counseling programs that are comprehensive, data-informed, and designed to serve each and every student.
This year’s honorees are:
• Mount Pleasant High School (Brandywine School District)
• Brader Elementary School (Christina School District)
• Thurgood Marshall Elementary School (Christina School District)
• Laurel Intermediate School (Laurel School District)

Now in its sixth year, the Sapphire Award celebrates school counseling programs that not only provide individual student support, but also build school-wide systems to improve academic outcomes, raise graduation rates and boost attendance.
“These schools show what happens when counseling is part of the core program, not an add-on,” Secretary of Education Cindy Marten said. “Counselors use real data to spot barriers early and make sure every student is seen, supported and on a path to success.”

Data-Driven Impact Stories

• Mt. Pleasant High School – Counselors Rachel Herskowitz, Jeanne Beadle, Della Schweiger, and Iman Turner focus on students at risk of not promoting to 10th grade. Through small group interventions focused on goal setting and career planning, they saw a 20% increase in students staying on track, proving how counseling can support academic recovery and motivate learners.

• Brader Elementary – Counselor Alexis Ridgeway used disaggregated data to uncover discipline disparities among male special education students. By implementing restorative practices, behavior support plans, and targeted counseling, the school was able to see a 17% decrease in suspensions and improved classroom engagement.

• Thurgood Marshall Elementary – Counselors Martina Fontana-Daguerre and Jessica DiRienzo introduced “Fixed Freddie” and “Growth Gretchen” lessons to teach students about growth mindsets. Following the lessons, 96% of students said they believed they could improve in areas they once struggled with, which is a critical step in building academic resilience.

• Laurel Intermediate – Counselor Tracie Dutton designed gender-specific counseling groups in grades 5 and 6 — anger management for boys and conflict resolution for girls — focused on behavior-based barriers to learning. The result: behavioral referrals dropped by 26%, keeping more students learning and connected to school while improving school climate.

“Achievement doesn’t happen by accident – it happens by design,” Marten added. “Counselors create the systems that make success possible: fair access to challenging classes, timely interventions, and caring adults who know each student by name, by strength, and by need. When they unlock each student’s genius, they open doors to opportunity.”

A Model for the Future of Delaware

Delaware’s Sapphire Award winners show that when school counseling is fully integrated into a school’s academic mission, students succeed and thrive, not just academically. These programs are the proof points that show what happens when schools invest is systemic counseling supports, the outcome is higher achievement, better school climate and stronger futures.

WILMINGTON —Governor Matt Meyer today announced the nomination of Christen Linke Young to serve as the next Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). Young, a nationally recognized health policy leader with more than 15 years of experience in state and federal government, will succeed Secretary Josette Manning, who will depart on October 1 to become State Director for U.S. Senator Chris Coons.

“Delaware is facing unprecedented healthcare challenges from workforce shortages to affordability and accessibility,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “Christen Linke Young is an accomplished leader who has spent her career in state and federal governments expanding access to care, lowering costs, and strengthening health and social service systems. I am grateful for Secretary Manning’s dedicated service to Delaware, and I am confident Christen will continue that legacy of excellence.”

Young has previously served as Deputy Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council and Deputy Assistant to the President for Health and Veterans, where she led the Administration’s health policy team. In that role, she oversaw implementation of the historic drug pricing provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, helped drive record-high Affordable Care Act enrollment, and coordinated national strategies to address the overdose epidemic, mental health, and maternal health crises.

“I am honored by Governor Meyer’s trust and excited about the opportunity to serve the people of Delaware,” said Christen Linke Young. “At a time of great challenges and opportunities, I look forward to working with the Governor, the General Assembly, and the team at DHSS to deliver high-quality health and social services to every Delawarean.”

Young’s nomination is subject to confirmation by the Delaware State Senate.

ABOUT THE NOMINEE

Christen Linke Young is a nationally recognized health policy leader with more than 15 years of experience in federal and state government. She has served as Deputy Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council and Deputy Assistant to the President for Health and Veterans from 2021 to 2025. In that role, she led the Administration’s health policy team as a senior White House staff member, overseeing implementation of the prescription drug pricing provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, efforts to achieve the lowest uninsured rate in U.S. history, and national initiatives addressing crises in maternal health, mental health, and overdoses.

Before her White House service, Young was Deputy Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, leading initiatives in Medicaid, behavioral health, public health, and social services programs.

She also held senior roles at the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Obama White House. In addition, she has served as a Fellow at the Brookings Institution, producing nationally recognized research on health coverage, pricing, and outcomes.

Young holds a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School and a Bachelor of Science from Stanford University. She is the proud mom to a seven-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son.

For any questions or to schedule a one-on-one interview with Governor Meyer, please email govcomm@delaware.gov.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) was joined by Governor Matt Meyer, Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay, Senators Brian Pettyjohn and Dave Wilson, Representatives Rich Collins, Valerie Jones Giltner, and Claire Snyder-Hall, Mayor of Millsboro Bob McKee, Sussex County Councilmen Doug Hudson, Matt Lloyd and John Rieley and other distinguished guests on Monday, September 22, 2025, for the North Millsboro Bypass Ribbon Cutting. The ceremonial ribbon cutting was held in advance of the roadway opening later this week.

This project, designed to improve traffic flow, safety, and connectivity in the area, marks a significant milestone for Sussex County residents and businesses.

“The North Millsboro Bypass is an investment in the safety, convenience, and economic future of Sussex County,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “Decades in the making, this project will ease congestion, improve safety, and make life better for families and commuters. We’re proud to finally bring it across the finish line.” 

“As someone who lives in this community, I know firsthand that this bypass is an important first step in our plan for improving daily travel for area residents. We are thrilled to provide motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians with a new multi-modal connection that will open later this week,” said Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Shanté Hastings. 

The $140 million North Millsboro Bypass Project consists of a two-lane connector road that begins at Route 24 near Mountaire Farms and extends westward to connect with Route 113 north of Millsboro. The project includes the construction of four bridges and an overpass, notably one that spans Millsboro Pond. A key feature of the bypass is a grade-separated interchange at the intersection of Route 113 and Route 20, designed to alleviate congestion and enhance safety in the area. 

DelDOT would also like to recognize its partners who helped make this project possible: R.E. Pierson, WRA, AECOM, and Torre Engineering. To learn more about DelDOT projects in Sussex County or across Delaware, visit DelDOT’s Projects Portal page at DelDOT Projects Portal – Delaware Department of Transportation.

Tree Limbs, Brush and Branches Are Burnable Material; Setting Fire to
Leaves, Grass, Trash, Tires, Plastic, Mattresses and Furniture Forbidden

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reminds Delawareans that open burning of materials such as tree limbs, brush and branches can legally resume this year on Thursday, Oct. 1 – the date when the state’s annual open burning ban is lifted. While those materials can be burned legally over the next seven months (through April 30, 2026), it is always against the law in the state to burn leaves, grass, trash, garbage or refuse, including, but not limited to: tires, construction or demolition waste, paper, cardboard, plastic, furniture, fabric, and mattresses.

“Burning emits many chemicals into the atmosphere where they react with sunlight to create ground-level ozone,” said DNREC Division of Air Quality Environmental Scientist Gerald Mood. “While cooking fires, recreational campfires, and ceremonial bonfires are typically allowed year-round, restricting other burning is necessary during the summer months. The burning ban is lifted once summer temperatures cool and daylight hours begin to shorten.”

While residential open burning of cut or fallen limbs, dead branches, or shrubbery is allowed from Oct. 1 to April 30, a maximum of 27 cubic feet of yard waste may be burned at one time. However, more material may be added to the fire as it burns down. Burning must take place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Fires cannot be left unattended, and easy access to a garden hose or fire extinguisher is strongly encouraged.

Delawareans also are required to call their County Fire Board prior to igniting a fire to inform emergency service agencies of their plan to burn:

• New Castle County, 302-571-7331
• Kent County, 302-734-6040
• Sussex County, 302-856-6306

Complaints about illegal open burning should be reported to the toll-free DNREC Environmental Hotline at 800-662-8802.

DNREC offers the following open burning guidelines:

• Pile materials you plan to burn as far away as practical from houses and other structures, your own and your neighbors’.
• Be considerate of those around you in choosing when and where to burn.
• Keep a garden hose, full water buckets, or fire extinguisher ready in case you need to reduce or put out the fire.
• Fire companies, forest management officials, and farmers must apply for and receive written approval for certain open burning activities through DNREC’s e-permitting system

Delawareans may also want to consider alternatives to burning, such as:

• Using curbside or drop-off yard waste sites. More information is available at the de.gov/yardwaste webpage.
• Chipping or shredding limbs and branches to convert them into useful mulch.
• Adding yard waste to a compost pile to support a nutrient-rich backyard garden. More information is available at the de.gov/composting webpage.

More information about open burning in Delaware from Oct. 1-April 30 and about the state’s Ozone Season (when open burning is banned each year from May 1-Sept. 30) is available at the de.gov/openburning webpage.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Air Quality monitors and regulates all emissions to the air. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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