On Tuesday, students in Virginia State University’s College of Education got a head start on their careers while helping to address teacher shortages in Petersburg through a new program. Starting this semester, five VSU students began work as teachers in Petersburg’s K-12 school system as part of VSU’s Hybrid Education Residency Opportunity (HERO) program.

The program began to take shape in August after Petersburg education officials came to VSU seeking solutions to an overcrowded, understaffed school year in the fall. The response was to create an asynchronous, early teacher residency where students will continue their learning at VSU while receiving on-the-job experience in Petersburg’s classrooms.

“There are so many programs that fail because they only prepare students for short-term success,” said Willis Walter, dean of the College of Education. “However, this program will allow students to build relationships with students, parents, and other teachers while gaining knowledge and experience to be successful long-term.”

VSU students who are interested in joining the HERO program must have a B grade average and be part of other teacher programs at the university. Each participating student will have a designated assistant and also earn the same pay as a long-term substitute teacher.

“We’re able to implement what we’re learning in class immediately, so it’s really cool,” said Cameron Chambers, who teaches a kindergarten class at Cool Spring Elementary School. “I immediately said yes to the opportunity because I really wanted to get into the classroom and get started on my field experience.”