Delaware · Career guide

How to become a Elementary Teacher in Delaware

Elementary teachers (typically K-5 or K-6 depending on the state) deliver self-contained instruction across all core subjects. Hiring competition varies — popular metro districts can have dozens of applicants per opening, while rural and high-poverty districts often run staffing fairs to recruit. Bilingual / dual-language certification can dramatically expand opportunity.

No elementary teaching positions are open in Delaware right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.

Certification path in Delaware

  1. Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Most candidates complete a teacher-preparation program either as part of their undergraduate studies or as a post-baccalaureate add-on.
  2. Pass the required exams. Delaware typically requires:
    • Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying SAT/ACT/GRE scores) — Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
    • Praxis Subject Assessments — Content knowledge for your certification area
    • edTPA — Performance assessment during student teaching

    Most states issue a generic elementary license (K-6 or K-8). Adding a content endorsement (e.g. middle-grades math) expands grade-level placement options.

  3. Apply for your initial license through Delaware Department of Education. The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Delaware Department of Education →
  4. Job-search in Delaware. We'll track elementary teaching openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.

Alternative pathways in Delaware

If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Delaware offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:

  • Alternate Route to Certification (ARC): For career changers with bachelor's degrees in relevant fields
  • Troops to Teachers: Support for military veterans
  • Delaware Center for Teacher Education partnerships

Delaware salary context

Average teacher salary in Delaware: $66,533/year (rank #18 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $42,000/year.

Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Delaware salary guide for the breakdown.

Full Delaware certification guideAll license tiers, alt routes, and reciprocity from other states.Delaware salary guidePay schedule, COL context, top-paying districts.Delaware teacher shortageWhich subjects are in shortage status — and the loan-forgiveness eligibility.