VDOE TeacherDirect April 7, 2021

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Virginia Department of Education

VDOE TeacherDirect New Logo

April 7, 2021

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Did You Know? Virginia LEARNS!
This spring VDOE convened a group of diverse leaders and practitioners from across the Commonwealth to provide expertise into the agency’s next round of guidance for public schools. The Virginia LEARNS (Leading, Engaging, Assessing, Recovering, Nurturing, Succeeding) workgroup met to strategize best practices in addressing the opening of schools to in-person instruction, recovery from unfinished learning, and the SEL needs of students and school staff. A cross section of the educational community considered issues around instruction, educational equity, school safety, learners with disabilities, parental support, technology and virtual learning, and student assessment. Virginia LEARNS guidance will take place in mid-April, but VDOE wanted to share two resources so that planning can begin for addressing unfinished learning in the coming months. For more information about the Virginia LEARNS contact Dr. Linda Reviea, Special Projects Coordinator or call (804) 786-5834.   
Consideration Learning Loss_FINAL.pdf 
SH-WELLNESS-CHECKPOINT_FINAL.pdf

Headlines

Introduction to Virginia’s new ELD Standards Framework
Interested in learning more equitable instruction for ELs in all classrooms? Join this webinar on April 26 @ 3:30p.m. for  an overview of the new ELD standards that integrate content and language. Explore examples and connect SOL to ELD Standards in a variety of grade-levels and content areas.  

Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative Community Informational Sessions
A series of one-hour VMPI Community Informational Sessions will be held during the spring to provide parents and community members an opportunity to learn more about the Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative. Session dates, information, and recordings can be found on this VMPI webpage.         

State Board Adds Culturally Responsive Teaching and Equitable Practices to Teacher Standards 
The Virginia Board of Education has revised its teacher performance standards and evaluation criteria to add a standard on culturally responsive teaching and equitable practices. The action during the board’s March 18 meeting reflects the board’s commitment in its comprehensive plan to support the recruitment, development, and retention of well-prepared and skilled teachers and supporting equity and culturally responsive classrooms for all students. The new standard also carries out legislation approved by the 2021 General Assembly (House Bill 1904 and Senate Bill 1196).  See more from VDOE(Word).      

Virtual Virginia Spring 2021 Recruitment is Moving Online!
The Virtual Virginia (VVA) team is moving recruitment online in preparation for the 2021–2022 school year. VVA is simplifying the online application process and moving the spring 2021 interviews online. Applications are currently being accepted for the following positions:
  -K–5 full-time teacher 
  -American Sign Language part-time and full-time teacher
  -Elementary and Secondary Content Developers
Visit the VVA Careers page to the online application and interview process. Stay tuned, additional postings may be added in the future.

Leading for Equity for English Learners
School leaders who attend this workshop will be equipped with an understanding of research-based practices that support equity for ELs in every classroom. Attendees will explore a sample walkthrough tool based on culturally and linguistically responsive instruction and discuss ideas for using and/or modifying the tool to meet the needs of their context. Register for either the April 21 10 a.m. or 4 p.m. session.

PALS Spring 2021 Testing Window
Changes have been made to the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) spring 2021 testing window for grades Pre K-3. Superintendent's Memo 071-21 includes information on the testing window, task modifications, and funding for FY 2022.

Implementing a Professional Learning Model to Improve Mathematics Teaching
This two-part webinar series will be offered by the Regional Education Laboratory Appalachia in April and May. The series will provide school and district instructional leaders with knowledge, tools, and resources to support and enhance evidence-based design and implementation of a coherent mathematics PLM.  

Building Computer Science Teacher Leader Capacity-Due April 15
VDOE has an opportunity for potential teacher leaders to engage in sustained professional learning with the intent of building computer science teacher leader capacity. If selected, participants will be enrolled in two graduate courses at JMU and will complete a capstone product. These teacher leaders will continue to work with VDOE and CodeVA staff during the 2021-2022 academic year as part of a professional learning community to support the implementation of the 2017 CS SOL. If interested complete the ICAPS online application or contact Keisha Tennessee, Computer Science Coordinator.

EL’s in Secondary Schools: Trajectories, Transition Points, and Promising Practices-April 21
English learners at the secondary level who are approaching high school graduation face unique challenges. In this webinar, participants will learn what research has shown about the academic trajectories of ELs at the secondary level, including the newcomers, students who have been labeled long-term ELs, ELs with disabilities, and former ELs. Participants will explore structural barriers and discuss policies and practices that may potentially reduce these barriers, facilitate students' full access to content, and promote their successful graduation.

CodeVA Professional Development Opportunities
Elementary and middle school programs prepare educators to explore Computer Science and to learn how to integrate the VA CS SOL into their core curriculum. The secondary elective courses prepare teachers to teach a high school elective in computer science or to teach an Advanced Placement level course. Find out more information today!

MEd-Reading Education Program Information Sessions-April 22
Join the up-coming information sessions from UVA to learn about the fully online, newly revised MEd in Reading Education program. Each course has been aligned with the science of reading and is designed to develop knowledge about effective and efficient reading assessment instruction at both the elementary and secondary levels.

VCTM Math Beauty Contest is Now Open! 
The Virginia Council of Teacher's of Mathematics invites students to demonstrate the beauty of mathematics by completing a problem geared at their grade band. Submissions, accepted through May 7, provide students with a chance to win a $25 gift card and a pizza party for their class.   

2022 Virginia Teacher of the Year Program-Due May 28
All public and accredited nonpublic schools are invited to participate in the 2022 Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year Program to select the next Virginia Teacher of the Year and to honor teachers who represent the best in teaching in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation! Application packets are due by May 28. See Superintendent's Memo 073-21 for all the details and application.  

Website to Support Policy and Practice for English Learners
The IES-funded Center for the Success of English Learners aims to address policies and practices affecting EL's education access and quality. The website aims to engage with the larger education community, disseminate information based on their findings, and create collaborative opportunities for state and local education agencies.

PE Support for SEL
PE goes hand-in-hand with social and emotional learning as it’s a learning environment where SEL socialization occurs naturally through active play, teamwork, and motor skill development. Students learn resilience, problem-solving skills, collaboration, cooperation, the joy of exploration, and physical and mental wellness. Resources from SHAPE America are available that inspire healthy habits, fuel active minds, and teach kids to thrive physically and emotionally.    

For Students, By Students! Spanish-Speaking Student Led Webinar 
Encourage your Spanish-speaking students in grades 6-12 to join this student-led webinar on April 14 at the new time of 1:30 p.m. A team of Virginia high school Spanish-speaking students will present their service learning program, educational experiences and share advice about planning for after high school. The majority of the session will be conducted in Spanish.           

Native Voices Bridging Facts and Falsehoods through Human Impact: Our Past, Present, and Collective Future
VDOE History and Social Science Program and Virginia Humanities invite educators to enhance their content knowledge with experiences shared by three Virginia Tribal Leaders: Chief Stephen R. Adkins, Chickahominy Indian Tribe; Chief Kenneth Branham, Monacan Indian Nation; Chief G. Anne Richardson, Rappahannock Indian Tribe. They will share stories of their past, focus today, and hopes for our collective future. All sessions will be held virtually from 3:30- 5 p.m. The links include session details and advance registration information:
April 28: Our Lives-More than a Tourist Destination or an Annual Event: Connecting Educators and Students with Neighbors and Friends.  
May 26: Our Future-Going Forward Together: Shaping our Communities, Commonwealth, and Country for a Brighter and More Inclusive Tomorrow.

Gilder Lehrman Hosts 2021 National History Teacher of the Year
Nominations for any eligible K-12 teacher are due April 30 and must be submitted on the Gilder Lehrman website. Nominators are asked to provide contact information for themselves and information about the nominee, including a short statement about why the nominee should be honored. Nominations can be made by any individual who is familiar with the teacher’s  work, including students, parents of students, colleagues, etc. Nominated teachers receive an email notification with instructions on how to submit all materials to be considered for the State History Teacher of the Year.

Department of Humanities Presents Live Webinar on Global Citizenship  Register and join a live webinar hosted by two teachers on April 15 at 3:30 to learn more about utilizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals as an interdisciplinary framework to promote deeper learning. This interactive presentation will explore ways teachers can utilize the UN Sustainable Development Goals in any curriculum or in an interdisciplinary manner to promote the skills necessary for success in the modern world (the 5 C's): communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and citizenship, as well as promoting cultural competency.

Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC)                       Join the MERC stakeholder email listserv today to stay up to date on educational research that directly informs the work of educators and improves education systems. MERC is a research alliance between the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University and seven school divisions in the metropolitan Richmond area. We lead research studies that inform policy, build professional knowledge and skills, and impact outcomes relevant to students, schools, and communities. Check out our reportspodcast episodes, and annual stakeholder conference, and join the listserv to stay up to date on our work! 

W&M and GMU Profiles into Practice Research 
This research will look at the impact of the Profiles of a Virginia Graduate, Educator, Education Leader and Classroom on the lives of educators, policy makers, and practitioners. Interested participants need to complete the Google form and email your consent to participate, if you agree or not to be audio/video recorded, and your contact information. For questions or to report a research-related problem, contact Dr. DeMulder 703-993-8326.

Superintendent's Memo of Interest to Teachers