RTR History

Despite overwhelming research that teacher quality is the most important school-based factor in student achievement — and that teacher impact on student learning is cumulative and long-lasting — historically marginalized students are typically taught by the least prepared, least experienced, and least effective teachers. RTR addresses this issue by preparing and retaining high-quality teachers to ensure that every student gets a quality education.

RTR is a school-based teacher preparation program that integrates research with practice to equip residents with the knowledge, skills, and experience to be effective in high-needs and hard-to-staff classrooms. We offer our residents a VCU graduate education, a teacher’s license, and a full year’s experience with a mentor teacher. The outcome? Residents who are ready to step into the classroom as impactful teachers. Residents who are ready to take student learning to the next level. Residents who are ready to lift up communities — one classroom at a time.

In 2011-2012, we started out as the Richmond Teacher Residency Program serving only Richmond City Public Schools. In 2018, we changed our name to RTR because we expanded outside of Richmond city boundaries. With RTR, learning knows no boundaries. Now, RTR is serving four Virginia school divisions: Chesterfield County Public Schools, Henrico County Public Schools, Petersburg Public Schools and Richmond City Public Schools.

RTR Values

Mission

RTR recruits, prepares, and supports the retention of extraordinary, inspiring teachers and teacher leaders who are committed to social justice and the disruption of educational inequities for systemically underserved public school students. RTR and its community partners are committed to strong collaboration that result in positive contributions to the collective culture and success of the public schools they serve.

Vision

Our vision is that every historically marginalized student is taught by culturally responsive teacher leaders who stand against systemic inequities and empower them to reach their full potential.