A full scholarship to Wilmington University and its College of Education marks the next step in Angelie Ross-Jimenez’s journey toward becoming an elementary school teacher in the Appoquinimink School District, where she learned to love teaching.

At Appoquinimink High School, Ross-Jimenez participated in the Teacher Academy program and led statewide Teacher Academy activities. The program offers motivated students the opportunity to learn about the rewards of a career in education and enables them to earn college credits toward a teaching degree while attending high school.

In addition, Ross-Jimenez received the guarantee of a teaching contract from Appoquinimink School District upon the completion of her college degree, the first initiative of its kind in Delaware.

“This is a life-changing opportunity for students,” says Dr. Matt Burrows, Appoquinimink’s superintendent of schools, who earned his doctorate at WilmU. “They’re going to graduate from college with the security of a job and a supportive network of teacher and principal mentors.”