Here’s how one person can make a difference in Delaware’s schools

Carlos Dipres remembers the exact moment he realized one man had the power to help thousands of Delaware’s schoolchildren.

He had been pushing hard for change in his daughters’ district, but found himself contending with a school board that didn’t seem to know what was at stake for his family. 

Carlos Dipres remembers the exact moment he realized one man had the power to help thousands of Delaware’s schoolchildren.

He had been pushing hard for change in his daughters’ district, but found himself contending with a school board that was making complex decisions without the context needed to drive results. 

“That day I figured something out – those board members, they’re humans too. They don’t know everything. And without the right information and understanding, it’s hard to make the decisions students need.”

Dipres later ran for a seat on the Colonial School Board … and won. But he realizes that his rise from parent to public official would have been far tougher without First State Educate – the seemingly tireless nonprofit that gives passionate Delawareans the tools to run, to win, and to make their children’s future brighter.

“They support you, they provide guidance, share resources, and give an opportunity for everybody to run,” Dipres said. “It’s like a family – they are there for you. That’s what makes the difference.”

For parents who want to help shape school decisions, the Wilmington-based nonprofit offers clear insight into how school boards function and where governance has the greatest impact, along with training on complex areas like finance, policy, and accountability. For community members who aspire to become leaders themselves, First State Educate provides structured preparation and guidance so candidates enter the role ready to lead. And for each of Delaware’s school board members, First State Educate stands as an ongoing advisory resource to support effective governance and decision-making.

“They want all the community and all the voices to be present when school boards make those decisions,” said Dipres. “That is the beauty of this organization: They help anybody who feels they can run and bring something new to the table. But they also make sure those voices are prepared to do the work well.”

One of those people was Dr. Keenan D. Dorsey, a native Wilmingtonian who has been involved in education throughout his professional life. After being urged to run for the Colonial School Board in 2022 by community members and coworkers, he won a seat – but knew he still had a lot of learning to do.

So he turned to First State Educate. The group’s workshop sessions and online “Knowledge Hub” training gave him a deeper understanding of board roles and responsibilities. Insights from First State Educate’s experts clarified where board members add value – and where they do not – allowing him to focus his efforts more strategically.

“Early on, it’s easy to feel like you need to have all the answers or be involved in everything, but First State Educate’s training helped me step back and focus on where I can be most effective,” Dorsey said. 

As his understanding of board dynamics grew, so did his confidence and clarity.

“They gave me a better grasp of how boards can function effectively as a team,” he said. “The emphasis on using data, setting clear goals, and maintaining accountability has shaped how I approach conversations at the board table.

“First State Educate has helped me keep students at the center of every decision,” Dorsey added.

By bringing engaged community members like Dorsey and Dipres into the school system as well-prepared board members who are prepared to make effective governance decisions, First State Educate is creating a dynamic where leadership is not just accessible, but equipped to deliver results.

“We’re empowering the community and building the capacity of school boards to translate priorities into outcomes through strong governance, clear direction, and accountability, so that Delaware public schools can become some of the best in the nation,” said Julia Keleher, First State Educate’s executive director. “Our role is to ensure that decisions lead to impact.”

That close mentorship goes well beyond evening workshops and online training sessions. When uncertain moments arise, no matter the time of day, board members and candidates know that help is just a phone call away. And that call typically goes straight to Keleher, or to Yvonne Johnson, First State Educate’s lead school board consultant. 

“Yvonne and the team, they are an amazing resource,” Dipres said. “If you get on the phone with a question, they are always there for you. When they say that, they mean it – they are there for you’.”

When more than a phone call is needed, they can always turn to the people who have been through it themselves – First State Educate’s regular learning sessions routinely include veteran board members eager to share their knowledge. 

“Those learning sessions are full of great dialogue, ideas on how to be more active within the schools themselves,” said Tim Banks, a Woodbridge School Board member who turned to First State Educate for help after he won his first election.

“But the biggest thing First State Educate gave me was the encouragement — the encouragement to be a strong voice, but to also sit back and be observant, learn as much as you can,” Banks said.

From 2023 to 2025, First State Educate trained or supported nearly a third of Delaware’s school board members, in 16 of the state’s 19 districts. The organization’s mission is underlined by a strong conviction: That Delaware’s students deserve the best leaders, and that those leaders achieve the best outcomes when they are prepared, confident and committed.

“In a way, we’re working to bring the public back into public education,” Johnson said.

“That is the beauty of this organization,” Dipres said. “They help anybody who feels they can run, who believe they can bring something new to the table. If First State Educate would have been around 20 years ago, we probably wouldn’t have had some of the problems we see on school boards today.”