"You will shape the hearts and minds of our future leaders."
Mayor Stoney speaks to SOE student teachers and interns
Before a gathering of VCU School of Education student teachers and interns recently, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney encouraged them to consider the impact that they can have on students’ lives as teachers.
“I know that being an educator isn’t easy, but it can be transformational. I know because I wouldn’t be mayor of Richmond today if it wasn’t for teachers and public education,” Stoney said. “I still remember every teacher I had up to the 12th grade, and I still keep in touch with them today because they went the extra mile.”
“They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Stoney, who was guest speaker at the school’s annual student teaching orientation, told the group that his hope is for every Richmond Public Schools student to get the same opportunity that he did.
“That requires having the most talented educators in the classroom. You’re public servants just like I am, and as teachers, you will shape the hearts and minds of our future leaders.”
The orientation following Stoney’s speech included a general session for all academic programs with information about student expectations, as well as assistance available to student teachers. The general session was followed by program-specific sessions facilitated by faculty coordinators.
Learn more about SOE academic programs here.