Delaware Teachers Institute

"Combatting Distraction and Disinformation"
Apply to be a DTI Fellow - https://forms.gle/Pf3o4JAqEJ8cVrS2A

This timely seminar will explore the crucial issues of information bias, distraction, and disinformation affecting our students and society. Hands-on exercises like tracking TikTok and Instagram algorithms and engaging with guest speakers will offer real-world insights and tools to share with your students. The seminar will review historical examples of disinformation in UD’s Special Collections and take advantage of timely events sponsored by UD’s Center for Political Communication and other regional organizations.

“We live in a brave new world in which technology and social media have ushered in rapid changes in how we receive and how we perceive information. We are communicating at a speed and scale unknown in human history–and we’re not very good at it. At least not yet. I think it’s critical that educators and students at all levels consciously address the challenges of distraction and disinformation. The technology and pace of change are not going away, but we can learn to manage our lives and democracy better by focusing on these issues.”

~ Matt Kinservik

“Food, Nourishment, Identity”

Explore the fascinating ways food shapes our identities and societies!

Join our “Food, Nourishment, Identity” seminar led by Dr. Carla Guerrón Montero from the Department of Anthropology.

Apply Now! - https://forms.gle/P5P816bwoQasptKe9

This engaging seminar will explore the complexities of food beyond nourishment, looking at how food is tied to culture, identity, and power dynamics. Whether you’re passionate about teaching social studies, science, health, or cultural studies, this seminar offers valuable insights and practical tools for your classroom. Don’t miss the chance to enrich your teaching and inspire your students!

”Food is among the most mundane *and* essential parts of our lives. We need food to stay alive, but food is also a complex social fact. I am honored to have the opportunity to share my love for food in all its facets with experienced Delaware teachers. Together, we will explore the role of food as physical nourishment and a social marker to create inclusive and engaging learning experiences.”

~ Dr. Carla Guerrón Montero

The Delaware Teachers Institute (DTI) is excited to announce the selection of three distinguished University of Delaware faculty members as seminar leaders for the 2024-2025 academic year:

“Food, Nourishment, Identity” led by Carla Guerrón Montero

“World in a Grain of Sand” led by Yafei Ren

“Combatting Distraction and Disinformation” led by Matt Kinservik

These seminars offer enriching experiences designed to inspire and empower K-12 teachers, providing fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to enhance classroom teaching.

Benefits include:
- A $1,250 stipend
- 50 clock hours of qualified professional development
- Hands-on learning and collaboration with peers and experts

K-12 teachers from participating districts are encouraged to apply by October 4th!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdnpG87Ya1-c6EZdlEqQT-NI7vqQJiobW7wRIFFH5qzvA8eVg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Email [email protected] for more info.

Teacher Spotlight!
Meet Holly Bryk, a dedicated Spanish teacher for grades 6-8 at The John Dickinson School in Red Clay School District and an active Delaware Teachers Institute (DTI) Steering Committee member. Holly recently participated in the Yale National Initiative (YNI) seminar “Poetry as Sound and Object,” led by Yale University’s Professor Feisal G. Mohamed. Reflecting on her DTI experience, Holly shares, “DTI and YNI has empowered me to research, create, and develop curriculum units that captivate my students while meeting their needs as language learners in a globalized world. I’m honing my ability to design culturally relevant and engaging resources that align with Delaware’s World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, ultimately enhancing student learning.”

📸 Holly Bryk with Yale’s mascot, Handsome Dan.

Meet Gin He Conard, an inspiring 11th-grade American Literature teacher at St. Georges Technical High School!
Gin’s passion for teaching shines through her involvement in the Delaware Teachers Institute (DTI), where she has the freedom to craft a personalized curriculum that sparks curiosity and connects literature to real-life experiences. Her students explore local history and see the links between ELA and other subjects, making their learning journey even more impactful.
Through DTI, Gin has built valuable connections with educators and professors beyond her school, enriching her teaching with fresh insights and collaborative opportunities.
Thank you, Gin, for your dedication and for bringing a world of knowledge and creativity into your classroom!

UD Faculty APPLY now!
Passionate about shaping K-12 education? Apply to lead a seminar (Link in Bio) for the 2024-2025 academic year with the Delaware Teachers Institute (DTI) in partnership with the Yale National Initiative (YNI).
Seminar Details:
12 meetings from Oct 2024 to March 2025
Focus areas: Digital Storytelling, Ecology & Sustainability, Information Bias, Math in the Real World

Why Lead a Seminar?

-Enhance your teaching, scholarship, and service
-Make a meaningful impact on K-12 education
-Receive a Seminar Leader Stipend

Submit your proposal (1-2 pages) as a PDF to [email protected] by Aug 23rd, 5 PM.
Image - DTI teachers on a field trip to Stroud Water Research Center

Five dedicated K-12 teachers from New Castle County, Delaware, just completed an incredible two-week journey at the prestigious Yale National Initiative (YNI) at Yale University! This enriching experience was made possible through the collaborative efforts of UD’s Delaware Teachers Institute (DTI).

Seasoned DTI educators Holly Bryk and Kariann Flynn from the Red Clay School District accompanied new participants Yavet Respes, Alyssa Lucadamo, and Josefa Castelli from the Brandywine School District. Together, they engaged in professional development to enhance their teaching strategies, ensuring a brighter future for our students.

The teachers were joined by Dr. Eric Rise, Associate Professor in the Criminal Justice Program and Chair of the DTI Steering Committee, and Jon Cox, Associate Professor of Art and Design and newly appointed Interim Director of DTI.

📸: © 2024 Yale National Initiative
Left to Right Holly Bryk, Josefa Castelli, Kariann Flynn, Alyssa Lucadamo, Dr. Eric Rise, Yavet Respes, Jon Cox

Exciting News!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new Instagram account! Follow us for the latest updates, inspiring stories, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into our educational initiatives.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Trish Hermance for her 7+ years of transformational leadership as Director of the Delaware Teachers Institute. We wish her all the best in her new role as UD’s Senior Assistant Dean of Secondary Education.

We’re also delighted to introduce our new Interim Director, Jon Cox! An Associate Professor of Art and Design, Jon brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to our community.

Stay tuned for more updates and join us as we work together to enhance K-12 education in Delaware.

Kariann Flynn on Student Response to Her Curriculum Unit At the Yale National Initiative's 2023 Annual Conference, Kariann Flynn, an English as a Second Language teacher at The John Dickinson School in Delaware, sp...

Over the next few months, Delaware Teachers Institute Steering Committee members will be sharing their thoughts on some topics related to what being a fellow and a member of the DTI community means to them and their students. Featured today is Red Clay Schools' teacher and longtime DTI Fellow Holly Bryk.

We hope that these words will encourage others to join our community and be a part of something we all truly find rewarding in a number of ways, many of which you will soon hear about.
Our topic over the next couple of weeks will simply be, “DTI is important to me because…”

Red Clay Schools, Appoquinimink School District, New Castle County Vocational Technical School District, Colonial School District - New Castle, De, Christina School District

Over the next few months, Delaware Teachers Institute Steering Committee members will be sharing their thoughts on some topics related to what being a fellow and a member of the DTI community means to them and their students. Featured today is Red Clay Schools' teacher Kariann Flynn.

We hope that these words will encourage others to join our community and be a part of something we all truly find rewarding in a number of ways, many of which you will soon hear about.
Our topic over the next couple of weeks will simply be, “DTI is important to me because…”

New Castle County Vocational Technical School District, Appoquinimink School District, Red Clay Schools, Christina School District, Colonial School District - New Castle, De

Over the next few months, Delaware Teachers Institute Steering Committee members will be sharing their thoughts on some topics related to what being a fellow and a member of the DTI community means to them and their students We hope that these words will encourage others to join our community and be a part of something we all truly find rewarding in a number of ways, many of which you will soon hear about.

Our topic over the next couple of weeks will simply be, “DTI is important to me because…”

New Castle County Vocational Technical School District, Appoquinimink School District, Red Clay Schools, Christina School District, Colonial School District - New Castle, De

We are grateful to have district leaders who value this critically important work!

Nicholas Baker, Dorrell Green, and Delethia McIntire on the Delaware Teachers Institute Nicholas Baker, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction at Colonial School District, Dorrell Green, Superintendent of Red Clay Consolidated School District,...

Congratulations to our 2023 National Fellows!

Congratulations to the five teachers from Brandywine School District, Colonial School District, and Red Clay Consolidated School District who have completed their seminars and curriculum units as 2023 Yale National Fellows.

Delaware has an amazing team of teachers attending the 2023 Yale National Initiative Summer Intensive Session. Representing Colonial, Red Clay, and Brandywine, these educators are learning from Yale faculty and collaborating with teachers from around the country. We are excited to see the curriculum units they create and to watch them use this experience to mentor other teachers in their schools and districts.

Yale National Fellows from Delaware. (From left to right: Michael Doody, Holly Bryk, Joseph Parrett, Kariann Flynn, and Brittany Zezima Dilworth.) Delaware Teachers Institute

Are you seeking a supportive professional network? Would you like to learn about local resources to engage your students? Are you a K-12 teacher in Appoquinimink School District, Christina School District, Red Clay Schools, Colonial School District or New Castle County Vocational Technical School District?

Take a few minutes to explore the three seminars being offered by Delaware Teachers Institute this spring and apply today! https://www.dti.udel.edu/participate/local-institute/fellow-application

These seminars offer something for everyone! Explore the deepest parts of the ocean and the organisms who survive there. Discover the history and legacy of slavery in Delaware or explore local environmental justice initiatives and find new ways to engage your students in their communities.

Participating fellows earn a stipend and 50 clock hours all while joining a positive, engaged community of educators.

Professional learning with the Delaware Teachers Institute looks different than many other PL opportunities.

You can expect to build meaningful relationships with teachers across five districts and university faculty committed to supporting you and your students. Within this system of support, you will then learn about topics that interest you and will ultimately engage your students.

In our 2023 seminars you choose what works best for you and what topic is most relevant to you and your students. Two seminars will be offered on zoom with supplemental field experiences, one will be back on campus with in-person, hands-on STEM exploration.

Apply by Monday 3/27 for your best chance at your first choice seminar. Note: Fellows are paid for participation and earn 50 clock hours as well.

Learn more and find the application here: https://www.dti.udel.edu/participate/local-institute/current-seminars

Appoquinimink School District, Colonial School District - New Castle, De, Christina School District, Red Clay Schools, New Castle County Vocational Technical School District

Three steps to finding joy in your professional learning:

1. Learn more about our upcoming seminars
2. Pick your two favorite and invite a friend
3. Apply by Monday 3/27

Find the delivery model that works best for you. Two seminars will utilize zoom for most sessions and include a few field experiences. The third seminar, Evolving is Solving, will meet on campus for hands on inquiry based discussions and experiences.

Current Seminars Upcoming Seminars