Round Rock ISD celebrated a milestone this week with our first-ever RRock Teach Signing Day. Alongside family and friends, district staff recognized 14 RRock Ready Candidates, 31 RRock Rise Apprentices and 20 RRock Resident Teachers as they signed their commitments to growing, learning and teaching in Round Rock ISD.
The Human Resource Services department developed RROCK Teach pathways to recruit and grow educators. This program has grown from one recognized pathway to five: RRock Ready, RRock Rise, RRock Resident, RRock Runway and RRock Reach.
“Each pathway has its own characteristics, but the overarching goal remains the same: to ensure that every student in every Round Rock ISD classroom is taught by an exceptional educator,” said Chief Human Resource Officer Eddie Curran.
These pathways are supported through both local district funds and other funding sources and partnerships, including state funding through the Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities initiative and the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership allotment. Partners such as edWell, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area, and the Partners in Education Foundation have provided additional support to clear pathways to success.
“Having these pathways is an important way to grow our current staff as well as support those whose passions are in public education,” Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez said. “I’m very excited to see these pathways grow and to be able to celebrate all of these teacher recruits as they dedicate their time with us in Round Rock ISD.”
Diving deeper into the pathways–
RROCK Teach Ready: In its fifth year, our RROCK Teach Ready supports individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree and are pursuing alternative teacher certification in high-needs areas, including special education, secondary mathematics and science, and Career and Technical Education.
Through district-funded tuition scholarships and our partnership with iTeach Texas, participants receive certification support, training and professional guidance as they prepare to become certified classroom teachers.
During the signing day ceremony, candidates committed to completing requirements, preparing to pass the teacher certification examination and serving in their high-needs assigned area for a minimum of two years.
RROCK Teach Residency: Beginning its third year, our RROCK Teach Residency is a yearlong, paid, immersive teacher preparation experience. This year, the district has 20 residents at Berkman Elementary School, Live Oak Elementary School, Robertson Elementary School, C.D. Fulkes Middle School and Round Rock High School. Four days each week, these residents gain valuable classroom experience while dedicating one day to university coursework.
Through our partnerships with Texas State University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Texas at Austin, residents from these universities work alongside mentor teachers, gradually taking on more classroom responsibility while receiving coaching, professional learning, structured support, and pay and benefits.
During the signing day ceremony, residents committed to completing requirements and participating actively in planning, feedback, and instructional collaboration while continuing to prepare to become effective public school educators. Those who accept an offered Round Rock ISD position for the 2027-28 school year will receive a $1,000 hiring bonus.
RROCK Teach Rise: In its inaugural year, this pathway supports 31 current Round Rock ISD employees as educational assistants while they pursue bachelor’s degrees and teacher certifications in high-needs areas.
Rise apprentices have access to low- or no-cost degree pathways and participate in monthly training sessions and on-the-job experiences designed to prepare them for a successful career as a certified teacher.
During the signing day ceremony, our apprentices are working full-time as Educational Aides within our district while pursuing bachelor’s degrees from REACH University or Western Governors University.