Virginia State University News July 19, 2022 VSU Graduate Program To Address Richmond And Petersburg Teacher Shortage VSU graduate students offered free tuition in exchange for working in the local school systems.  The Virginia State University College of Education has announced an innovative program which will enhance the experience of future teachers serving Richmond and Petersburg, while earning a Teacher License and Masters degree “free” of charge.   In the new teacher residency program, graduate students will co-teach and earn a Master of Education within one year, while gaining real-world experience in a classroom under the supervision of a master teacher. Once the co-teacher earns the degree, they must commit to full-time teaching positions in their residency school division for an additional 3-years. The initiative is funded through the first ever “I Too Teach”Grant for HBCUs from the Virginia Department of Education. The primary goal of the program is to increase the number of highly qualified teachers of color—particularly males. In addition to addressing the critical teacher shortage in Richmond and Petersburg—the program will provide Pre K-12 classrooms with culturally and linguistically diverse teachers. During the residency, VSU students/co-teachers will work nights and weekends on their Master of Education Degree in Elementary Education (PreK-6) or in General Curriculum for Special Education (K-12). Teacher residency candidates must hold a current bachelor’s degree and have a desire to teach in schools with a more than 30 percent poverty rate. VSU is accepting applications for the VSU College of Education’s no-cost “I Too Teach” Master of Education program. Upon conditional acceptance, a full-time substitute position will need to be secured with either Petersburg or Richmond City Public Schools for the 2022-23 school year and the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) Exam must be completed for admission into the Graduate Program. During the course of the school year, professional development will also be provided to graduate students for knowledge of self, trauma informed care, relationship building, and in-depth culturally responsive pedagogy. To apply, please visit VSU Graduate Admissions Application<https://www.vsu.edu/admissions/apply/graduate-apply/index.php>. Sandra M. Phoenix, Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance 678-210-5801 ext. 101 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Seek justice, honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/