Rodney A. Robinson, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year, is now the senior advisor for Richmond Public Schools, leading the division’s efforts to develop a male teachers of color initiative and establish partnerships with organizations that will help RPS with recruiting and supporting male teachers of color. He tenure kicked off on Aug. 4
Rodney, according to RPS will play a key role in the execution of the division’s anti-racism policy agenda and will work closely with the Talent Office to create mentorship opportunities for new teachers.
“We are thrilled to have Rodney back and to have him join the RPS Family in this capacity,” said RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras. “Rodney is a fierce fighter for equity, a proponent of abolitionist teaching, and an all-around force to be reckoned with. We not only need his voice at the table, we need him leading the very important work of helping RPS become an anti-racist school division.”
During his tenure as National Teacher of the Year, Robinson toured the nation meeting with government officials, education leaders and teachers to speak about the underrepresentation of black male educators, his experience as a teacher at a juvenile detention center and the importance of dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline.
“Being National Teacher of the Year afforded me the opportunity to establish relationships and learn best practices from colleges, states, and organizations who are doing the work of promoting cultural equity in the classroom,” said Robinson. “I am excited I have been given the chance to do this important work in the Richmond community. All students benefit from educators who look like them and appreciate their culture. I’m going to work hard to ensure that the students in Richmond
get what they need and deserve.”
Robinson is a 19-year teaching veteran, who most recently taught at Virgie Binford Education Center, a school inside the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center. He is a member of Mayor Levar Stoney’s Education Compact Team and the Task Force to Reimagine Public Safety. Through his
career, Mr. Robinson has been a vocal advocate for equity and has developed and published curriculum units on race, class, and punishment as a part of the Yale Teachers Institute.
For additional information about Rodney, visit Mr. Robinson.
