Wilmington University has a well-earned reputation for making education accessible. The College of Education’s WilmU2U program is a case in point, which brings instruction directly to the school districts of teachers who want to earn credentials. WilmU2U has already been rolled out in five districts in Delaware. It is now expanding to include the Smyrna district, where two cohorts of teachers will complete coursework to qualify for credentials to work with autistic and severely disabled students. Amber L. Vraim, who chairs WilmU’s Special Education Program, leads the new initiative.

In WilmU2U, teachers are taught by educators in their district, onboarded as adjunct faculty at WilmU. Instruction takes place in district classrooms, where teachers have access to technology and materials they will use when they work with students. The content of courses is tailored to meet the specific needs of each school. Districts subsidize the program, paying all or part of teachers’ tuition.

Based on the success of the program, WilmU2U will continue to grow. Plans are in the works to provide instruction for K-6 teacher-prep students in Milford and Seaford districts in Sussex County. In New Castle County, Leadership programs will be offered in at least one school district.