VCU School of Education

10/13/2026

Over the past 16 years, the RTR Teacher Residency at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Education has prepared 457 teachers, trained more than 500 mentors and reached over 50,000 students.

Residents spend up to two full school years learning alongside veteran teachers in high-needs classrooms while earning their VCU degrees. By the time they lead classrooms of their own, they have already experienced an entire school year from start to finish, with a whole team cheering them on.

The results speak for themselves: 100% of principals rated RTR graduates as more effective at demonstrating content knowledge than typical new teachers.

Now, educators from across the country are coming to VCU to see the program in action.

Meet the mentors and future teachers behind RTR:
https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcus-teacher-residency-program-leads-the-way-for-teacher-preparation-in-richmond-and-across-virginia

10/06/2026

You already know your field. Now learn what it takes to land the faculty role.

VCU School of Education's Graduate Certificate in Preparing Future Faculty gives you a behind-the-scenes look at faculty life, all in just 12 credit hours.

- Build a competitive academic portfolio, including your CV, teaching and research statements, and sample syllabi
- Get hands-on teaching experience with seasoned faculty mentors
- Learn how to balance teaching, research and service
- Find the right fit among different institutions and faculty roles

Faculty-created and faculty-led. SCHEV-approved. Preparing future professors for more than 30 years.

Your next move starts here:

09/29/2026

The VCU School of Education mourns the loss of Mr. Jim Ukrop, a devoted Richmond leader and champion for education. His early belief in RTR helped shape a program that continues to prepare teachers for Richmond's schools. We are grateful for his legacy and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and all who loved him.

09/17/2026

Mark your calendars! Our Dyslexia Symposium is bringing in a powerhouse for this year's keynote, and trust us, you don't want to miss her.

Meet Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan: SLP, researcher, author, and honestly... a legend in the literacy world. For over 25 years she's been doing the work that changes lives; building research-backed reading interventions for Spanish and English-speaking students, chairing the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities, and even picking up a Telly Award along the way. If there's a "who's who" of dyslexia and literacy advocacy, she's on it.

Her keynote, "Structured Multiliteracy: The Bridge to Equity," is exactly what it sounds like; a bridge between research and classroom practice. The bridge between languages, struggling readers, and the equitable instruction they deserve. This isn't theory for theory's sake; it's practical, proven, and built for educators who want every student to have a real shot at literacy.

Whether you're an educator, a specialist, a parent, or just someone who believes every kid deserves to read with confidence, this one's for you.

Save your seat before it fills up: https://soe.vcu.edu/ruth-harris-professorship/dyslexia-symposium/

This annual symposium, hosted by the VCU School of Education and the T/TAC, is funded by the Ruth Harris Professorship. The 2026 Dyslexia Symposium is presented in partnership with the Virginia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (VBIDA). The event is open to students, educators, advoca...

08/12/2026

📖 Big congratulations to Dr. Phelton Moss, assistant professor of educational leadership, whose research was just published in the Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership! 🎉

Dr. Moss spent a year documenting a remarkable story out of Jefferson County, Mississippi: Superintendent Dr. Adrian D. Hammitte returned home to lead his own community's school district — and helped drive real, sustained gains in third-grade reading.

What made the difference? A strategy centered on investing in school leaders and building strong professional learning systems. This small, rural, majority-Black district has now been recognized by the state for closing equity gaps and getting more students reading on grade level, year after year.

"A community, a leader, and a plan coming together to change outcomes for kids." That's the story — and we're proud one of our faculty got to tell it.

Read the full case study 👉 https://ow.ly/Ijhn50Zy2fB

08/10/2026

🎉 Welcome to the 2026-2027 academic year, School of Education students! Whether you're brand new or returning, your new era starts with our Weeks of Welcome (WoW)!

📅 Save these dates:

🎓 New Graduate Student Orientation — Wednesday, Aug 12 | 3-6 PM | ALC 2100/2104

🧊 WoW Kickoff Block Party — Thursday, Aug 20 | 2-3:30 PM | SOE Courtyard
Free popsicles, popcorn, lawn games & prizes! Complete your Resource Fair passport to pop a balloon on our prize wall — win VCU socks, bags, or lunch with the Dean! 🎈

💻 Student Organizations Fair — Thusday, Sep 3 | 12-1 PM | Zoom
Find your people, your leadership niche, and your professional community.

🤝 Graduate Student Mixer: Speed Networking — Thursday, Sep 10
Virtual: 12-1 PM on Zoom | In-person: 3-4 PM in Oliver 3064 (light refreshments!)

🎤 SOE Unscripted: Faculty Panel & Q&A — Wednesday, Sep 16 | 12 PM | Hybrid: Oliver Hall 3064 & Zoom

🌎 International Student Mixer — Tuesday, Sep 22 | Oliver Hall Student Lounge (2126)

🔗 Join all virtual events at bit.ly/soewow26

Tag a classmate you'll bring along! 👇

07/27/2026

🎉 Exciting news from the VCU School of Education!

Associate Professor Paul Harris has been awarded the VCU Thriving Communities Research Pilot Grant ($25,000) for his proposal, "Strengthening Mental Health in Faith Communities."

Building on prior su***de prevention training, this pilot project will collaboratively develop and evaluate a strengths-oriented mental health support model — grounded in the values of Saint Paul's Baptist Church and the broader Richmond community.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Harris! 👏

Learn more about the VCU School of Education - https://soe.vcu.edu
Learn more about Dr. Paul Harris - https://soe.vcu.edu/about-us/directory/full-directory/paul-c-harris-phd.html
Learn more about the Thriving Communities Research Pilot Grant - https://community.vcu.edu/resources/grants/thriving-communities-pilot-grant/

07/02/2026

🎉 Registration is now open for the VCU Dyslexia Symposium!

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 🔗 Register: bit.ly/DyslexiaVCU

Don't miss this dynamic day of in-person learning, networking, and 4 hours of professional development — hosted by VCU School of Education, VCU T/TAC, and VBIDA

🎤 Keynote: Structured Multiliteracy: The Bridge to Equity
Featuring Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan, Ed.D. — President of the Valley Speech Language and Learning Center, leading researcher, current Chairperson of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities, and accomplished author.

✅ Inspiring keynote, breakout sessions, and vendor tables
✅ Lunch and networking with peers
✅ Free video recordings of select presentations post-event

Funded by the Ruth Harris Professorship — open to students, educators, advocates, and the public. FREE for all VCU students!

Seats won't last — register today: bit.ly/DyslexiaVCU

06/25/2026

Exciting News! We're thrilled to announce our keynote speaker for the 2026 Dyslexia Symposium: Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan, EdD.

As President of the Valley Speech Language and Learning Center, a leading researcher, current Chairperson of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities, and an accomplished author with widely recognized contributions to the field, Dr. Cárdenas-Hagan brings exceptional expertise and insight to empower those who support students with dyslexia.

Join us on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Virginia Commonwealth University's Monroe Park Campus (301 West Main, Richmond, VA 23284). Hosted by VCU School of Education and VCU T/TAC in partnership with VBIDA this event includes lunch, breakout sessions, vendor tables, networking, and 4 hours of professional development—all funded by the Ruth Harris Professorship. This year’s event is in-person, and video recordings of some of the presentations will be available at no charge after the event.

Open to students, educators, advocates, families, and the public. Dive into research, resources, and strategies for dyslexia and language disorders!

Questions? Contact us at [email protected]. Registration opens July 1: bit.ly/DyslexiaVCU

Don't miss this unique opportunity!

04/27/2026

SAVE THE DATE!
Mark your calendars now for our annual Dyslexia Symposium on Saturday, October 24, 2026, on VCU's Monroe Park campus at 301 West Main, Richmond, VA 23284.

Hosted by the VCU School of Education and T/TAC, attendees will enjoy a keynote speaker, lunch, breakout sessions, vendor tables, and networking—plus 4 hours of professional development!

This annual symposium, funded by the Ruth Harris Professorship and open to students, educators, advocates, and the general public, provides research and resources to support students with dyslexia. The Dyslexia Symposium is a unique opportunity for families, early career and veteran professionals, and students to come together and delve into dyslexia and language disorders. Whether you attend in person or virtually, you can look forward to a day filled with valuable insights and learning.

More details coming soon: bit.ly/DyslexiaVCU