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Teacher & Leader Pathways

The Teacher and Leader Pathways Department is dedicated to cultivating a diverse community of educators and leaders who are committed to excellence, equity, and innovation in education. Through Grow Your Own Programs, comprehensive support, rigorous data driven professional development, and a focus on collaboration, we empower individuals to become transformative agents of change, driving the success and well-being of all students and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in Richmond Public Schools.

Are you passionate about education and ready to take the next step in your career?

 

The SEED (Supporting and Empowering Educator Development) program was created to address the critical shortage of licensed teachers in high-need subject areas—while providing aspiring educators with a supportive, structured pathway to a rewarding career in the classroom. The primary goal of the SEED program is to increase the pipeline of qualified teachers by helping participants:

  • Earn a provisional teaching license, and

  • Transition to a full professional license while working in Richmond Public Schools.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Be a full-time employee of Richmond Public Schools (including long-term substitutes, instructional assistants, and non-instructional personnel)
  • Commit to teaching in RPS for a minimum of three years
  • Be willing to teach in a high-needs area, which includes:
    • Elementary Education
    • Secondary English
    • Secondary Mathematics
    • Secondary Science
    • English as a Second Language (ESL)
    • Special Education

Thank you for your interest in the Supporting and Empowering Educator Development (SEED) program.

Interested and eligible individuals should complete the SEED Program interest form. Please ensure you submit copies of all college transcripts to be considered.

The program is offered at no cost to participants once they pass the Praxis assessment required for licensure.

In the meantime, employees who complete eligible coursework or licensure assessments may apply for Tuition Reimbursement (up to $800 per school year).

 

The Associate Teacher Program offers an incredible opportunity for aspiring educators to earn their Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education or Special Education—completely free of charge while working as a substitute teacher in RPS.

This transformative program is a collaborative partnership between Richmond Public Schools (RPS), BloomBoard, and Virginia Wesleyan University. Together, they are working to develop the next generation of highly qualified teachers—starting with you.

What the Program Offers:

  • Free Bachelor's Degree in Elementary or Special Education
  • Earn college credit through job-embedded coursework
  • Starting salary of $40,000 plus full benefits
  • 1:1 mentorship and coaching for personalized support
  • No night or weekend classes—designed to fit your schedule
  • 3-year job commitment to Richmond Public Schools upon completion

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for the program, applicants must:

  • Be a current RPS Employee
  • Be Pell Grant eligible
  • Hold an Associate's Degree or have completed at least 60 undergraduate credits (individuals with bachelor's degrees are not eligible)

This is an opportunity for non licensed RPS personnel to earn their bachelor's degree and teacher certification—with no student debt.

Don't miss the chance to transform your future while making a difference in the lives of students. With the combined support of RPS, BloomBoard, and Virginia Wesleyan University, your teaching journey starts here. Please fill out the Interest Form if you are interested in joining the program. 

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT 2024-2025

The Tuition Reimbursement Portal for the 2024–2025 school year is now open! Additional details will be shared via the RPS Insider, so please stay tuned.

Eligible RPS employees may receive up to $800 per school year for tuition and licensure assessment costs.

Note: Reimbursement is issued on a first-come, first-served basis, as funding allows. Of the $800, a maximum of $500 may be applied toward assessments.

Submission Guidelines

To request reimbursement for coursework completed during the current fiscal year (on or after July 1, 2024), please follow the required steps below. Email submissions will not be accepted.

Steps to Submit:

  1. Complete the Tuition Reimbursement Application form in full, including all required signatures.
  2. Be sure to upload all pages of the completed application.
  3. Obtain proof of successful completion (final grade or assessment score), and a receipt of payment from your institution clearly showing your name as the payee.
  4. Upload all required documents—including your application, proof of completion, and proof of payment—to the Tuition Reimbursement Portal.

 Student Interns for 2024-2025

 

Richmond Public Schools is pleased to offer a variety of internship opportunities for the 2024–2025 academic year, including student teaching, practicums, school counseling, educational leadership, and administrative placements. We are excited to collaborate with aspiring educators and school leaders as they begin or continue their professional journeys.

Placement Requests

To facilitate a smooth and timely placement process, please adhere to the following submission deadlines:

  • Practicum Placements: Submit requests at least 30 days prior to the desired start date.

  • All Other Internship Placements (e.g., student teaching, counseling, administration): Submit requests at least 45 days prior to the desired start date.

All placement requests must be submitted using the designated Student Intern Request Form.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

In order to place interns within Richmond Public Schools, all partnering universities must have a current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on file with our Teacher and Leader Pathways Department.

We value your interest in partnering with Richmond Public Schools and are committed to providing meaningful and enriching internship experiences. For any additional questions or assistance, please contact the Teacher and Leader Pathways Department.

We look forward to supporting the next generation of educators and leaders!

License Support

The Virginia Department of Education certifies all teachers employed by Richmond Public Schools.  Any questions specific to licensure should be emailed to licensure@rvaschools.net. 

RPS has partnerships with the following universities for those seeking classes to obtain course work for a teaching license. 

Virginia Union University

University of Richmond

University of Phoenix

Virginia Community Colleges System