WSFS Foundation awards $300,000 grant to Lead for Delaware initiative

WSFS Financial Corp., the parent company of WSFS Bank, announced that the WSFS Foundation has awarded $300,000 over the course of the next five years to Teach for America's Lead for Delaware initiative. Lead for Delaware was developed in partnership with Teach For America, Delaware public schools and a range of education-based organizations for the purpose of recruitment, development and retention of diverse school principals in low-income communities across the state.

Through this highly selective program, candidates participate in a two-year experience while also teaching and leading in the classroom. They receive more than 400 hours of professional development delivered by expert practitioners, as well as over 600 hours of real-time leadership practice overseen by current Delaware school leaders. Also, candidates embark on an international leadership journey to expand their personal vision and to build strong cohorts who will become part of a growing peer support network in Delaware.

"The WSFS Foundation is inspired by the vision of Lead for Delaware," said Rick Wright, executive vice president, chief retail banking officer and chairman of the WSFS Foundation. "This effort will make a big difference in public education and student achievement, especially for students at risk. We look forward to watching this program positively impact our local schools." Each leader's study and practice are guided by an individualized leadership development plan.

To complete the program and earn principal certification, each candidate must master 26 research-driven competencies and meet the highest national cut score on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment. Each will continue to be supported once they start in a leadership position.

"WSFS' grant will make a significant impact helping us to recruit and prepare certified school leaders for instrumental positions in our low-income communities," said Laurisa Schutt, executive director, Teach for America - Delaware. "One excellent principal impacts hundreds of lives. These leaders will enable children in our schools to develop skills to advocate on behalf of themselves and their communities toward life readiness. We are incredibly thankful for this investment in our kids from the WSFS Foundation."

For more information, go to www.delaware.teachforamerica.org and www.wsfsbank.com.