Un comMon
RTR Teacher Residency (RTR)
is a school-based teacher preparation program that integrates research and practice to equip residents with the knowledge, skills, and experience to be effective in high-needs and hard-to-staff classrooms. 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 — some students are taught by the least prepared, least experienced, and least effective teachers. RTR addresses this issue by preparing and retaining effective teachers to ensure that every student gets a quality education.
In 2011-2012, we started out as the Richmond Teacher Residency Program, preparing only secondary teachers and serving only Richmond City Public Schools. Over the years, we have expanded our teacher preparation pathways and now prepare secondary, elementary, early childhood, and special education teachers. We have also expanded our school district partnerships beyond the Richmond-metro area. RTR currently serves multiple districts across Virginia
RTR prepares teachers in a different way than the traditional model. Residents in our program spend an entire school year with a mentor teacher, working alongside them in a high-needs school. As the school year progresses, the resident gradually takes on more teaching responsibility. Over the course of the year, residents also complete their VCU degree or certificate in education.
The outcome? Residents who are ready to step into the classroom as impactful teachers from Day One. 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.
374 teachers prepared
325 mentors trained 45K+ students reached 48% of graduates are Teachers of Color
RTR Pathways
n Elementary teacher through the Elementary Graduate Certificate or the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education pathways
n Special education teacher through the Special Education Master of Education
n Secondary English teacher through the Secondary English Master of Teaching Pathway
n Secondary math teacher through the Secondary Math Master of Teaching Pathway
n Secondary science teacher through the Secondary Science Master of Teaching Pathway
n Secondary social studies teacher through the Secondary Social Studies Master of Teaching Pathway
RTR has three pathways, each of which includes various programs leading to degrees/ certificates. Our website (teachrtr.org) provides more in-depth eligibility information.
1-YEAR GRADUATE PATHWAY
If you...
1) Will have earned a bachelor’s degree by May;
2) Have a GPA of 3.0 (cumulative or in the last 60 hours);
3) And want to become an elementary, special education, or secondary English, math, science or social studies teacher
1-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE PATHWAY
If you...
1) Are currently enrolled in VCU’s Bachelor of Science in Education program (early childhood, elementary, or special education);
2) Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
3) And will be entering your senior year in the upcoming fall semester
2-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE PATHWAY
If you...
1) Will have earned an associate’s degree by May;
2) Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher;
3) And want to become an elementary or special education teacher
The RTR Application Process
STEP 1 RTR Application
Submit the online application by February 1 Your transcripts will be reviewed to verify eligibility for the teaching pathway of interest.
STEP 2 Online Interview
Participate in an online interview with RTR staff and school district representatives early in March. During a portion of the interview, you will teach a 5-minute lesson on a topic of your choice.
STEP 3 RTR Selection
Acceptances to RTR will be sent out in midMarch and will ask you to reply to the offer of admission within three days. [This is the final step for one-year undergraduate pathway applicants.]
STEP 4 VCU Application
Submit the VCU online application corresponding to the RTR pathway to which you have been accepted by April 1. There is a $75 application fee for undergraduates and a $70 application fee for graduate applicants.
STEP 5 VCU Acceptance
Accept the VCU offer of enrollment, set up your email, and attend VCU and RTR orientations. Register for classes and begin your program of study in May.
The Residency Year At A Glance
RTR residents begin the program in the summer semester (May) and take a full course load over the summer. During this time, residents also get to know others in the cohort and meet their mentor. Residents continue taking classes throughout the fall and spring semesters and are full-time students during all semesters of the program.
The residency experience begins with teacher work week. When the mentor reports back to school after summer break, the resident also reports to their residency placement.
Residents spend the entire K-12 school year working in the classroom alongside the mentor for four full days each week. As the year progresses, residents gradually take on more teaching responsibility. This gradual release begins with small things, such as taking attendance, lining students up for lunch, and reading a book aloud.
Gradually, residents begin planning lessons and delivering instruction. In the spring, residents solo teach for at least eight weeks, doing all of the lesson planning, instruction, and other non-teaching responsibilities.
After the solo teaching period is complete, the resident and mentor co-teach for the rest of the school year.
RTR Financial Support
Program Funding
RTR receives state and federal grant funding that is used to provide a stipend to each resident. This stipend fully covers the cost of VCU tuition. Residents may also seek additional funding by applying for scholarships, grants, or loans.
VCU’s Office of Financial Aid can assist you in finding additional funds, such as the TEACH grant. To contact the School of Education financial aid counselor, reach out to sfmcsoe@vcu.edu
In exchange for the RTR stipend to fully cover the cost of tuition, residents sign a service agreement. This states that you agree to work as a teacher of record in a high-need school in your residency school district for three years after completing the program.
VA
RTR Expands in Virginia!
We have partnerships with school divisions across the state. Take a look at teachRTR.org for further details!
These Richmond-metro area school districts are our original four partners.
Chesterfield County Public Schools | Henrico County Public Schools
Petersburg City Public Schools | Richmond City Public Schools
RTR has expanded to numerous communities in Virginia to prepare teachers for high-needs schools in these districts.
An Achievable Dream in Newport News | Arlington County Public Schools
Brunswick County Public Schools | Caroline County Public Schools
Charles City County Public Schools | Dinwiddie County Public Schools
Sunnyside Elementary School | Essex County Public Schools
Essex High School | Fairfax County Public Schools
Hopewell City Public Schools | Norfolk City Public Schools
Prince George County Public Schools | Prince William County Public Schools
Roanoke City Public Schools | Southampton County Public Schools
Stafford County Public Schools | Surry County Public Schools
Sussex County Public Schools | Waynesboro Public Schools
