ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke City Public Schools and Roanoke College came together to celebrate Read Across America Day while also highlighting a unique partnership.
School leaders including Roanoke City Public Schools Superintendent Verletta White and Roanoke College President Frank Shushok Jr. read books at Monterey Elementary School Friday morning.
Students were interactive as some of their favorite books were read aloud. The goal was to not only read but to also celebrate the recent partnership between Roanoke College and Roanoke City Public Schools—aiming to build a diverse pipeline of teachers across the region.
“We know the power of grow your own, and so we want to continue to grow our own so that those who are interested in teaching and learning can follow their pathway just as I did as a young teacher,” said White. “And then come all the way up so they can celebrate their profession and what they want to do.”
“That pipeline is just critical for the New River and Roanoke Valley, for Southwest Virginia,” said Shushok. “And we need all kinds of people to be attracted to the teaching profession, whether its science, or math, or literature.”
The Teachers for Tomorrow program offered by Roanoke City Public Schools prepares students to become educators and provide support as students explore career interests. Upon graduation, those students can enter Roanoke College’s Bridges Program, directed towards recruiting aspiring teachers of color from across the region. It’s through this program that students can earn degrees in education and secure jobs in local school divisions.
Roanoke College also announced the start of a new Masters of Education program that will aid teachers even further in their pursuit of advanced training and leadership opportunities.
Monterey Elementary students were treated to a variety of guest speakers including White, Shushok Jr., and a group of the 10 News and 10 Sports crew—Jenna Zibton, Japhanie Gray, and Eric Johnson.