DELLTA was founded in 1989 by Hilda Delgado, an educator who recognized a growing need to support teachers working with English learners throughout Delaware. After creating a network to connect educators and share effective strategies, she helped build a community dedicated to improving language instruction and advocating for students with limited English proficiency. Under her leadership, the group expanded to hundreds of members, raised scholarship funds, and worked closely with schools to ensure English learners received the recognition and opportunities they deserved. Her vision and commitment laid the foundation for the organization’s ongoing work to empower students and strengthen support for multilingual learners across the state.

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Originally established as DelaLEPs—Delaware Advocates for Limited English Proficient Students—the organization provided educators with a vital network and a voice for students who were often overlooked. As terminology evolved in the 1990s, the group adopted the name DELLTA (Delaware English Language Learners Teacher Advocates) to reflect updated language used for English learners and to remain aligned with national standards. This evolution, guided by Hilda Delgado’s leadership, helped solidify the organization’s identity and set the stage for the advocacy, collaboration, and student-centered mission that continues today.