Venitia Richardson

Director, Teacher Quality Programs

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Venitia Richardson leads the Teacher Quality Programs (TQP) division office. As Director of the TQP division office, Ms. Richardson oversees several discretionary grant programs that include Race to the Top-District, The Teacher Incentive Fund, School Leadership, Supporting Effective Educator Development, Teaching American History, Teacher Quality Partnership, and Transition to Teaching.

Prior to coming to the Department of Education, Mrs. Richardson dedicated the last twenty years of her career, in service to our Nation’s youth. She served the last 16 years of her career serving the children and families of Hartford, CT. with great passion, commitment and pride. She functioned in several roles throughout the 16 years of her career with the Hartford Public schools, beginning as a graduate Intern, a Special Education Teacher, Behavioral Specialist, District Inclusion Facilitator, Assistant Director in the division office for Student Support Services in Central Office, Assistant Principal for a middle school and Founding Principal of Opportunity High School, a high school designed as part of the district’s reform process. Ms. Richardson began on her path of youth service working for the YMCAs of Greater Delaware, Dover, DE and The Greater Hartford YMCA, in East Hartford, CT.

Venitia holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Connecticut in Educational Psychology, a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Connecticut and a Sixth Year degree in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University. Ms. Richardson is also a veteran of The US Air Force.