About Us
Our Mission
The mission of the Office of Strategic Engagement is to prepare educators to create a culture of educational excellence and equity in schools through education, collaboration, and innovation. We are passionate about developing transformative educators who not only imagines possibilities, but who are equipped with strategies to meet our most pressing challenges. Through ongoing collaboration with regional, national, and international communities, we seek research-informed practices to innovatively prepare educators to work effectively in urban settings and schools that have been historically marginalized.
Signature Programs
Innovative Teacher Pipeline
A program in which students are selected to be a part of a unique series of co-curricula activities and learning opportunities focused on implicit bias and culturally responsive pedagogy and practice. Participations requires students to engage in in-depth training through a critically reflective lens.
Alumni Induction Support
A partnership between VCU SOE and our PK-12 partners designed to assist new teachers with challenges unique to entry in the education profession. We provide support to VCU graduates who are in their first three years of teaching by pairing them with a VCU alumni who serve as mentor teachers. Again, the emphasis is on providing that space “safe space” for feedback, self-reflection, and impact on student learning.
Substitute Teaching the VCU Way
VCU’s way of supporting the need to recruit competent and qualified personnel to substitute in area schools. We prescreen interested students and provide training for them before referring them to the local school division contacts.
Career Switcher Program
An alternative route to licensure program that is currently in it’s first year at VCU. We’re pleased to offer this pathway as accelerated program to move prospective teacher into the classroom quickly.
Meet Our Team
