Learning Through Connection

The University of Delaware’s Teacher Residency program, housed in the College of Education and Human Development and funded by the Delaware Department of Education, offers paid, yearlong student teaching experiences in Delaware schools. Juliet Samuel, a high school chemistry teacher at Brandywine School District’s Mount Pleasant High School in Wilmington, joined the program after moving from Nigeria. She credits the residency for providing guidance in navigating the U.S. education system and adapting her teaching approach through mentorship from veteran teacher Robin Rimback. Samuel’s mentorship included gradual classroom responsibility, allowing her to develop her teaching style while receiving continuous support. After Rimback retired, Samuel was hired to fill her position, demonstrating the program’s success in retaining teachers. ‘I hope to continue teaching in Delaware long-term,’ Samuel said, emphasizing the program’s goal of fostering local commitment. Jonathan Gillock, now a teacher at Fred Fifer III Middle School in Camden, also benefited from the residency. A 2025 graduate of the elementary and middle school teacher education program, Gillock worked alongside mentor Agoston Szabo, a former social studies teacher. The mentorship provided professional growth, including coaching and networking opportunities, while Szabo’s teaching methods were refined through collaborative discussions. The program’s structure includes professional learning communities and mentorship, addressing teacher shortages and improving instruction across Delaware’s three counties. Gillock noted that the residency opened doors for him at his alma mater school, while Szabo reflected on how feedback from residents helped him reassess his own teaching practices. Both graduates now teach in the Caesar Rodney School District, highlighting the program’s impact on teacher retention and quality education.