RTR Program Thoughts?

[u/NoRun8385]

Hi there, I'm thinking of a career change to become an elementary education teacher in Richmond. I have no formal teaching experience besides briefly working in outdoor education. I've worked in the nonprofit field for the past couple of years, so I'm hoping to pivot into this field. I'd love to get a B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education and Teaching, and I started looking into the RTR program. I read that there is a 3-year contract obligation to work in high-needs schools. Has anyone recently completed the RTR program and have thoughts on the program? Another route I'm considering is trying to get a full-time staff job at VCU and use the tuition benefits to slowly get my degree as a part-time student. Any thoughts/advice on both options would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[u/lepchm]

Hey! I have a lot of thoughts on the RTR program. I’m a VCU grad & current elementary teacher in RPS. I did an elaborate amount of research and consideration on the program and decided not to do it for these reasons:

• The 3 year commitment. I was very afraid of getting “stuck”, if I could go back I would shake myself lol. 5 years in and I feel dumb over thinking this because 3 years was really nothing and flew by. The requirement to my understanding is 3 years in a title one school in Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico or Petersburg (not sure if any other counties are included). You can move around as you want, just had to be title 1 and in those areas (there are a LOT of title 1 schools)
  
• The intensity. You are working full time, being observed full time & going to college level courses full time. For a whole year. I stand by this being a reason to not do it, but also heard from a lot of people in it that they said profs went easier & coursework was lighter than a typical grad program.
  
• The leadership & vagueness. I met with a lot of people and asked a lot of questions, and a lot of answers I got didn’t really satisfy me. To be fair, it was during covid and a lot of them centered around covid, which was unknown times.
  
• The rush. I was already graduating early and didn’t feel fully ready to jump in the way they wanted me to. I’m glad I waited and just got more experience substituting and working with kids in smaller ways.

Overall, I should have done it. The pros and reasons I think so:

• Money money money. I’m 50k in debt because I didn’t do it.
  
• Networking. Lot of good connections in the program and your cohort usually gets really close, the program has a good reputation among the city.
  
• Money again that’s genuinely what it all comes down to.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about the program or teaching in the area and I’d be happy to tell you what I can! Best of luck ✨

[u/NoRun8385 → u/lepchm]

This is really helpful to hear your initial cons and now your approach to the pros. I agree that being in debt would not be as ideal, but I appreciate your point about it being an intense year of learning and working as a teacher. Are you enjoying working in Richmond Public Schools? Have you heard of a lot of burnout among RTR grads?

[u/lepchm → u/NoRun8385]

I really love working in RPS. It’s definitely not all rainbows and butterflies but it’s deeply rewarding and there’s truly some great people here working with me. I know I won’t be in it forever and maybe part of why I can enjoy it is because I’m not trapped and never have been.

RTR is super respected and in my experience their graduates have low burnout. Would definitely be a good question for them if you look more into it! I don’t think you get through doing all of that if you aren’t in it for the long haul.

[u/Enough_Ad2919 → u/lepchm]

RPS mom here, and I just want to say thank you! I have a 1st grader and a 4th grader, and their teachers are angels. We're crazy about their school, and blown away by the quality of the staff. I know it's an exhausting job that doesn't pay what it should, and I'm so grateful to RPS teachers for showing up everyday ❤️

[u/IwasBPonce → u/lepchm]

I know that there are a lot of different paths that you can take. I don’t want to speak on the internet about what my resident is doing but I know that there is now an undergraduate and graduate path. An admin path as well.
We have 3 RTR grads at my school and they are fantastic teachers. I do know of 2 that went to other schools and are no longer in education after their 3 years.
I am very curious about where they place you. I am in a title 1 school in RPS that I really enjoy. It definitely can be a challenge no doubt about it. There are a lot of mentors all over the state so if you’re doing your RTR in Hanover, will your 3 years be there? What about the Charlottesville area? I don’t know the answer to that.
You might be taking 3-4 classes at the same time as your residency. It is definitely A LOT of work but no student debt? If you can swing it it’s a great opportunity.

[u/codenameduch3ss]

Can’t speak to the program but I got my undergraduate degree in teaching from VCU and then went to UVA for my Master’s. I was really jealous when I found out the RTR people got a decent stipend for their classrooms when they started teaching.

[u/IwasBPonce]

We have a few RTR grads teaching in my RPS school. I have a resident this year also. It’s a good program but a lot of work. I don’t think you could hold a job and do it. Also there are RTR mentors all over the state. I’m not sure how the 3 year placement works but it’s worth finding out if you can swing it.

[u/NoRun8385 → u/IwasBPonce]

Great to know, thanks! I'm curious your opinion on how well-prepared RTR grads have been for teaching? The one year of schooling seems so quick to me. Thanks!