November 4, 2025 — The RTR Teacher Residency Program has reached a milestone of 15 years of recruiting, preparing, and retaining teacher residents in their community. In celebration of this accomplishment, the RTR community came together for social events and professional learning opportunities.
We spoke with RTR Director Kim McKnight, Ph.D., about RTR’s history and future of the teacher residency program:
Q: As an exemplary program, what/who do you attribute to the longevity of RTR?
The longevity and success of the RTR Teacher Residency Program can be attributed to the heart behind its name—RTR: Relationships, Trust, and Reflection. What began as the Richmond Teacher Residency has evolved into a statewide network of partnerships, but its foundation remains the same, which is authentic relationships built on mutual trust, and a constant commitment to reflection and growth.
We have learned that sustainability in this work doesn’t come from standing still. Instead, it comes from the hustle beneath the surface. Like a duck gliding smoothly across the water, the RTR team and its partners are always paddling by building relationships, recruiting new residents and mentors, creating and maintaining district partnerships, and responding to changing needs in education.
Our mission to prepare and retain high-quality, equity-minded teachers drives every decision. The dedication of our team, our school division partners, and our university collaborators has cultivated a culture where continuous improvement is expected and celebrated. Because of this shared commitment, buy-in has spread beyond our immediate team to mentors, principals, and district leaders across the Commonwealth.
Ultimately, it’s the combination of relationships, trust, reflection, and relentless effort that has allowed RTR not only to endure, but to thrive.
Q: We appreciate our collaboration with your teacher residency program. How would you say NCTR has contributed to the growth and sustainability of RTR?
Our partnership with NCTR has been instrumental in shaping the foundation and long-term success of the RTR Teacher Residency. RTR joined NCTR as part of the second cohort under the Urban Teacher Residency Network, and that early collaboration helped define the core beliefs and structures that continue to guide our work today. Through NCTR, we gained access to research-based best practices, national thought partners, and a professional learning network of like-minded residency programs. These connections have provided valuable insight into program design, funding opportunities, and creative approaches to sustainability that continue to influence RTR’s evolution.
Q: Is there a particular moment you’d like to highlight?
One of the most significant moments that reflects both RTR’s growth and the broader impact of our work occurred when the Commonwealth of Virginia formally recognized RTR. In 2021, Governor Ralph Northam proclaimed April 15th as “RTR Day” in honor of the program’s 10th anniversary, recognizing our efforts to recruit, prepare, and support teachers in high-need schools. That same commitment to teacher preparation has since been echoed in the Virginia General Assembly’s earmarked funding for teacher residency partnerships across the state.
What began as a $500,000 line item has grown into a multi-million dollar investment in teacher residencies statewide, including $2.85 million per year dedicated to expanding and sustaining high-quality residency programs and pilot initiatives led by Virginia Commonwealth University in partnership with the RTR program. This bipartisan support underscores a shared belief that every student in Virginia deserves access to great teachers, a belief that continues to be strengthened by our ongoing partnership with NCTR.
Q: What are your plans/what is your hope for the next 15 years of the program? How have you celebrated or are you planning anything in celebration of 15 years?
We celebrated our 15th anniversary at a local hotel and restaurant. Attendees included current residents, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members. Events like this help us continue to build strong relationships with program stakeholders. We have also hosted meetings for our alumni, including social events and professional learning opportunities. Our alumni also help recruit new residents by sharing their stories and walking candidates through the application and selection process. Our vision for the next 15 years is to continue developing teachers to meet the needs of all learners and help retain these talented individuals in the profession through networking, community-building, and professional learning opportunities.