RTR Teacher Residency at Virginia Commonwealth University

09/01/2026

🚨 RTR Application Is OPEN! 🚨

Ready to make a difference in the lives of students while becoming a certified teacher?

Apply to become an:
• Elementary Teacher
• Secondary Teacher
• Special Education Teacher

Through RTR, you can earn your VCU education with tuition fully covered while preparing for a rewarding career in education!

✨ Your future in teaching starts today.
📲 Apply now: teachrtr.org

08/24/2026

Glimpses from classrooms in Prince William County Public Schools! ✏️📚

Today we’re highlighting Miguel’s classroom, Nora with her team, Nora’s classroom, and Bonne’s classroom! We love getting to see our Residents putting their learning into action alongside their mentors and school communities.

And we’re asking for MORE pictures today! 👀

Residents, Mentors, Alumni & the entire RTR Community: send us your classroom moments! 📸

📧 [email protected]
OR
📲 Post them to your stories and tag us!

We want to celebrate the work you’re doing in classrooms across Virginia! 💛

08/13/2026

Caught these two this week at Petersburg City Public Schools’ Convocation! 🎓✨

So proud to see our residents Emma & Javia representing Petersburg City Public Schools as they head into Year 2 of their Associate’s to Bachelor’s pathway! 👏🏾

As they begin their school year this Monday, help us wish Emma & Javia an AMAZING year as they continue growing, learning, and preparing to lead in education! 🍎📚

Drop some encouragement for Emma & Javia in the comments!

08/03/2026

Hot off the Press from DCPS! Congratulations to Claudann Pedraza! 🍎✨

We are so proud to celebrate Claudann, a VCUxRTR alumna, as she begins her teaching career as a 5th Grade Teacher at Sutherland Elementary in Dinwiddie County Public Schools!

Congratulations on this exciting new chapter, Claudann! Thank you to our incredible partners at Dinwiddie County Public Schools for investing in future educators and giving our graduates opportunities to make a lasting impact. We know you’ll do amazing things in your classroom!

Join us in congratulating Claudann in the comments! 🎉

06/22/2026

While We Were Away Celebrating…Happy Juneteenth! ❤️💚💛

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were free. As educators, it reminds us that knowledge matters and that access to truth can change lives.

Happy Juneteenth!

06/15/2026

Prince William County Public Schools Strengthens Teacher Pipeline with Largest RTR Residency Graduating Class! ✨📚

VCU School of Education
Virginia Commonwealth University

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) celebrated the graduation of its largest RTR Teacher Residency Program cohort during an end-of-year celebration at the Kelly Leadership Center.

06/11/2026

From residents to alumni! 🎓✨

What a time we had celebrating at our PWCS - RTR End of Year Celebration as we honored our graduates now officially alumni of VCU pursuing Secondary Education, Elementary Education, and Special Education! Thank you to every mentor, principal, partner, professor and RTR staff & community member who made these years possible!🍎📚

From the dancing, tears, hugs, laughter, and unforgettable moments…this night was filled with joy, love, and the beauty of seeing hard work pay off.

We are beyond proud of every lesson learned, every obstacle overcome, and every step taken toward purpose. The future is bright, and these educators are just getting started! 🎉

Congratulations RTR Alumni — once residents, now graduates!

05/29/2026

Ten years in the making — and this week we proudly celebrated the graduation of the very first generation of participants in the 2-Gen Pilot Program at Ettrick Elementary School! 🎓✨

This milestone is a powerful reminder of what happens when families are supported holistically through education, opportunity, and community partnership.

We especially celebrate our incredible 2-Gen Adult Learners, Mrs. Ashley White and Mrs. Markaliah Hunter, whose dedication, perseverance, and commitment made this moment possible. Your success reflects the heart of this program and inspires us all.

A heartfelt thank you to the visionaries, designers, coaches and supporters who helped bring this initiative to life:
Nancy Davies, Bev Davies, Dr Susan Harding, Cathy Pelnik, Dr. Kim McKnight & Dr. Kelly Denny.

We are deeply grateful for the continued support and partnership of leadership: Dr. John Murray - Chesterfield Superintendent, Lisa Hite - Executive Director of Chesterfield Education Foundation, Dr. Lisa High - Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Randi Smith - Principal of Ettrick Elementary, Amber Tillman - CEF Google, and our beloved Dr. Kim McKnight - Director of CTL and Executive Director of RTR for championing innovative opportunities for families and students.

Special appreciation to the educators and RTR team members who walked alongside these families throughout the journey!

This graduation is only the beginning for the future of 2-Gen and the families it will continue to impact for years to come. 💛

05/04/2026

Happy Teacher's Appreciation Week! ✨✨

04/27/2026

RTR Fam! 📣

We’re inviting a few strong leaders to step into something bigger!

RTR is looking for about 10 alumni to serve as Alumni Ambassadors—people willing to pour back into the next generation by sharing their experience, mentoring, and representing the program in different spaces.

This is flexible, impactful, and a real opportunity to grow your leadership while making a difference. (Plus, there’s an honorarium of $250 as a thank you!)

If that’s you, apply today!
👉🏽 tinyurl.com/AlumniAmbassadorsApp2026

Application deadline: May 8th, 2026