A Unique and Transformative Experience

Each summer, the Delaware Teacher Program in Cáceres, Spain, provides K-12 educators with an immersive professional development opportunity designed to enhance Spanish proficiency, deepen intercultural competence and refine teaching practices. Now in its third edition, this one-of-a-kind program has become a distinguished initiative, creating meaningful transatlantic educational exchanges and expanding opportunities for educators beyond Delaware—it is open to teachers from other states as well.

Participants engage in intensive language and pedagogy courses tailored to their professional needs, working closely with faculty from the Universidad de Extremadura. These courses allow educators to refine their instructional strategies while experiencing Cáceres, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its rich history and vibrant cultural heritage. Through medieval alleyways and narrow streets steeped in history, participants experience a transformation—one that allows them to teach their students that traveling, learning about other cultures and speaking different languages will make them more human.

What sets this program apart is its comprehensive approach—integrating linguistic immersion with cultural exploration. Teachers not only improve their Spanish proficiency but also gain firsthand knowledge of Spain’s education system. Through visits to local schools, discussions with Spanish educators and classroom observations, participants develop a deeper understanding of educational practices in Spain. These experiences offer valuable insights into different methodologies, bilingual education models and student engagement strategies that can be applied in their own classrooms.

The courses offered in Spain are also part of a newly approved certificate program. The Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership and Intercultural Competence Development in Spanish is designed to prepare educators for leadership roles in multilingual and multicultural settings.

Offered in-person, online and asynchronously, it is accessible to a wide range of educators looking to enhance their ability to serve diverse student populations. The certificate combines advanced Spanish coursework, intercultural training and leadership development, ensuring that educators are equipped with the necessary tools to support and advocate for Spanish-speaking communities in their schools and beyond.