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READY to Talk
We cannot transform outcomes for students without first addressing how we cultivate and support teaching talent. At READY, we believe that Rochester needs to grow our own — a pipeline of committed educators who reflect the brilliance of the students they serve and are equipped to lead with both skill and purpose.
Through the READY Liberation Teaching Academy (RLTA), we are actively cultivating the next generation of diverse, community-rooted educators. RLTA is a four-year program that empowers high school students to explore teaching as a career, strengthen their cultural identity, and gain real-world experience through paid internships and college coursework. By investing early in students’ leadership and instructional skills, READY is closing the teacher-student demographic gap and ensuring that Rochester’s classrooms are led by educators who reflect the brilliance and diversity of our community.
In this month’s video segment, Deb Hanmer reminds us why this work matters. She highlights the need to address how teachers and leaders implement policies and practices to build asset-based perspectives and relationships with students and families. Her words are a powerful reminder that it’s not just about filling positions—it’s about preparing teachers to meet students with deep respect, high expectations, and the tools to do both well.
Through RLTA and our broader commitment to community-driven change, READY is doing more than preparing future teachers — we are fueling a movement to reimagine education in Rochester, led by the very students and families who deserve it most.
Together, we can ensure that every child in Rochester is taught, inspired, and supported by educators who see them, believe in them, and are READY to lead.
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