As the Delaware Department of Education says, "It’s good to be first." If you would like to be a teacher in the first state of the United States, then you will need some basics under your belt. A Bachelor’s degree and an examination of general knowledge are the bulk of what you will need to receive your Initial License.

In order to obtain the Initial License to teach in Delaware, you will need to have completed a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, completion of a student teaching program, and a passing score on a general knowledge exam such as the Praxis I. If you do not have the student teaching experience, you can substitute that with one year of teaching experience that includes 91 days of long-term teaching experience at one assignment in an Alternative Routes to Licensure and Certification program. The Initial License is good for three years.

Once you start your search for a teaching position in Delaware, it shouldn’t be difficult to zero in on a great location. Christina School District covers both Newark and Wilmington and is the largest district in Delaware, boasting a diverse staff and student body. Among the many awards and scholarships the students in Capital School District in Dover can claim, one of the most impressive student successes is the 2004 graduate who was one of 32 American students selected as a 2008 Rhodes Scholar this year. For a slower pace, Milford School District is a rural district that covers 150 miles of land.

After you’ve found your teaching job in Delaware and have taught for three years under the Initial License, you can apply for the Continuing License. The Continuing License is good for five years, whereupon you will need to renew it. Renewal is based on completion of 90 clock hours of personal development, 45 of which must be in activities which pertain to the teacher’s work with staff or students.