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2021 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year Announced |
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Eight teachers have been announced as 2021 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year during surprise virtual and in-person celebrations last week. The announcements for each teacher included congratulatory messages from Governor Ralph Northam, first lady Pamela Northam, Secretary of Education Atif Qarni, Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane and Board of Education President Daniel Gecker.
The eight 2021 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year announced on Friday are as follows:
- Sarah F. Jurewicz, a Culinary Arts I and II (Baking and Pastry Arts) teacher at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center in Chesterfield County (Region 1)
- Alisa T. Smith, a Spanish teacher at Jamestown High in Williamsburg-James City County (Region 2)
- Kimberly G. Cannon, a U.S. History teacher at Stafford Middle in Stafford County (Region 3)
- Lisa M. Rode, a sixth-grade teacher at Kings Glen Elementary in Fairfax County (Region 4)
- Lisa S. Cooper, a first-grade teacher at Bessie Weller Elementary in Staunton (Region 5)
- Anthony Swann, a fifth-grade teacher at Rocky Mount Elementary in Franklin County (Region 6)
- Sarah M. Biggs, a first- and second-grade reading teacher at High Point Elementary in Washington County (Region 7)
- Victoria S. Soyars, a Geometry teacher at Park View High in Mecklenburg County (Region 8)
The teachers were selected from among candidates nominated by school divisions in each of the state’s eight superintendents regions. The candidates submitted portfolios highlighting their accomplishments, educational philosophies and community activities. A panel, including teachers and representatives of professional and educational associations, higher education, and the business community reviewed the portfolios and selected the eight regional teachers of the year. Next month, the panel will interview each of the eight regional teachers to select the 2021 Virginia Teacher of the Year. The decision will be announced on Thursday, October 8 during a virtual ceremony broadcast and streamed live by VPM and PBS affiliates across the state.
The 2021 Virginia Teacher of the Year will be the commonwealth’s nominee in the National Teacher of the Year Program. The recognition is given by the Council of Chief State School Officers and program partners. Three previous Virginia teachers — Mary V. Bicouvaris, the 1989 Virginia Teacher of the Year; B. Philip Bigler, the 1998 Virginia Teacher of the Year; and Rodney A. Robinson, the 2019 Virginia Teacher of the Year — went on to be named National Teachers of the Year.
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State Board of Education Recognizes Innovative School Divisions |
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 The state Board of Education recognized 15 Virginia school divisions as “School Divisions of Innovation” for designing and implementing alternatives to traditional instructional practices and school structures that improve student learning and promote college and career readiness, and good citizenship. The divisions are the first to earn the designation, which was authorized by the 2017 General Assembly.
“I think it is fair to say that innovation has never been more important in public education than today as schools across the commonwealth and nation focus on improving distance learning in the face of a pandemic, while addressing inequities in opportunities and outcomes,” Board of Education President Daniel Gecker said. “I congratulate the leaders of all these school divisions for creating innovative plans to address the challenges in their schools and engage their students in deeper learning across the curriculum.”
The following divisions are recognized by the Board of Education:
- Buchanan County Public Schools
- Goochland County Public Schools
- Hampton Public Schools
- Henrico County Public Schools
- Hopewell Public Schools
- Loudoun County Public Schools
- Middlesex County Public Schools
- Montgomery County Public Schools
- Poquoson Public Schools
- Roanoke County Public Schools
- Salem Public Schools
- Staunton Public Schools
- Virginia Beach Public Schools
- West Point Public Schools
- York County Public Schools
“Virginia’s 132 school divisions have a history of sharing innovative and promising practices to improve student learning and outcomes and the School Division of Innovation recognition program is a means of institutionalizing this collaborative process,” Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane. “I look forward to visiting all of these school divisions to see how their innovations are transforming teaching and learning.”
To earn the School Division of Innovation designation, a local school board must submit a plan meeting criteria set forth in the Board of Education regulations governing the recognition program. Divisions earning the designation must submit an annual report to the Virginia Department of Education on progress toward meeting the goals and performance targets in their plans. Divisions retain the School Division of Innovation designation for three years.
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Virginia Students Outperform Nation on SAT |
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Virginia high school graduates outperformed their nationwide peers on the SAT in 2020, according to data released by the College Board, the non-profit organization that administers the college admissions test. Virginia high school seniors achieved an average combined score of 1116, which was 65 points higher than the national average.
Of the 58,485 Virginia 2020 graduates who took the SAT, 55% met or exceeded the College Board’s college-readiness benchmarks in both reading and writing, and mathematics. Nationwide, 45% of SAT takers met the readiness standard on both sections of the test. Sixty-five percent of Virginia’s 2020 graduates took the SAT, making it by far the most popular college admissions test in the commonwealth. Approximately 2,700 fewer Virginia graduates took the SAT due to the curtailment of spring SAT testing because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Despite the disruptions caused by the closure of schools, Virginia students continue to perform well in comparison with their peers nationwide,” Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane said. “But the wide gaps we see in the performance of student groups underscore the importance of the work underway at both the state and local levels to promote equity and expand opportunities for underserved students. Closing these persistent achievement gaps is the number one priority of both the Virginia Department of Education and the state Board of Education.”
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September is #VAHungerActionMonth |
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Millions of families are facing hunger - many for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic. Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane joins State Department of Social Services Commissioner Duke Storen in recognizing Hunger Action Month by showing appreciation for our hardworking food bank staff and volunteers serving on the front lines every day to help feed America.
More than ever, it is important to recognize Hunger Action Month this September due to the unprecedented circumstances many of our students and families are experiencing. Between May and August, the VDSS has provided over $242 million in Pandemic-EBT benefits to over 640,000 children who, if schools were open, would have received free or reduced-price meals.
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State Superintendent Announces Second Season of "VA TV Classroom"
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 Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane announced the Virginia Department of Education and the state’s public television stations will present a second season of “VA TV Classroom,” beginning in the month of September.
“VA TV Classroom” debuted in April to provide over-the-air instruction for students without sufficient internet access to support online learning. VDOE and WHRO Public Media — with support from $200,000 in CARES Act funding — collaborated to produce content for a second season of the on-air school. The new broadcasts will provide instruction in English and mathematics for students in grades K-7. Lessons will incorporate concepts from other subjects, including science and history.
“I want to thank WHRO and the outstanding educators involved in this project for creating quality instructional programming fully aligned with the Standards of Learning and providing another option for students and schools that are beginning the new year either entirely or partially in the virtual setting,” Lane said. “’VA TV Classroom’ fills a critical need and will be especially important for students in rural school divisions where many homes and communities don’t have broadband.”
Virginia public media stations will broadcast “VA TV Classroom” Monday-Friday beginning Monday, September 14 and concluding on Friday, October 23. The on-air schedule is as follows:
- “Learn to Grow,” 11 a.m.-12 p.m. — Instruction for students in grades K-3
- “Continue to Know,” 12-1 p.m. — Instruction for students in grades 4-7
“VA TV Classroom” will air on the following public media stations:
- WHRO — Serving Hampton Roads and Eastern Virginia
- VPM — Serving the Richmond and Charlottesville areas and the Shenandoah Valley
- WETA — Serving Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. region
- Blue Ridge PBS — Serving the Roanoke and Lynchburg areas and Southwestern Virginia
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VDOE Celebrates the Second Annual Virginia is for Learners Day |
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On Friday, September 25 the Virginia Department of Education will celebrate the second annual Virginia is for Learners Day! Last year, Governor Ralph Northam recognized September 25 as Virginia is for Learners Day and Secretary of Education Atif Qarni presented the governor’s proclamation to Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane during the commemorative event.
Virginia is for Learners demonstrates Virginia's commitment to ensure that all public school students are ready to thrive after graduation. First launching as a campaign in April 2019 to engage families and educators in the momentum of major changes to public education made by the Commonwealth, the initiative has now evolved into the state agency's new brand to embody its mission to 'Maximize the potential of all learners'.
Join us on social media, on Friday, September 25 by sharing what Virginia is for Learners means to you using the hashtag #VAis4LearnersDay2020.
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Resources for Phased Reopening of Virginia's Public Schools |
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The phased reopening of K-12 schools gradually permits in-person instruction to resume while prioritizing the health and safety of students and staff. In order to minimize the disparate impacts closures have had on students, this approach prioritizes the needs of students who have been most impacted by school building closures, and for whom in-person instruction is most beneficial:
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