Educator. She developed an approach to education that focused on community invovlement, industrial and academic training. The Jeanes teacher program was modeled after her successful experiences. She recieved her early education at the Bacon School and the City Normal School in Richmond. At the age of sixteen she was appointed to a teaching job in Goochland County, Virginia. Three years later she started her career at the Mountain Road School in Henrico. During her years at the school she beautified the yard, made a gravel pathway and frequently white-washed the building. In addition to the regular curriculum, she organized a Sunday School. She taught the children to sew and weave and eventually incorporated industrial training. She solicited the puplic for funds to support the school’s work. Her personal and professional qualities were noticed and it was arranged for her to visit other rural school to share her ideas with other teachers. She also worked with the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Court to aid youths with their problems. She opened her home to needy children and at one time had seventeen of them living with her. The one room school has become the Virginia Randolph Education Center, a campus containing a high school, an adult learning center and a special education center. The cottage she used as an office is now a museum that depicts and honors her work. In 1976 it was named a National Historic Landmark. She is buried in the yard, directly in front of it. (bio by: George Seitz)