VDOE TeacherDirect October 20, 2021

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Virginia Department of Education

VDOE TeacherDirect New Logo

October 20, 2021

colorful

Did You Know?  
Onward and Upward” Grants Supporting Math and Literacy Instruction! Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane is inviting Virginia’s school divisions to apply for $107 million in federal pandemic-relief funds to move the Commonwealth’s students onward and upward in their journey out of the pandemic by providing targeted math and literacy support to students, in addition to addressing their other academic and mental health needs. These “Onward and Upward VA” grants are funded from the American Rescue Plan Act and include support for programs during the school year, before- and after-school programs, and summer learning. VDOE has created a website for its federal pandemic recovery efforts, Onward and Upward VA, which will show what funds have been allocated directly to school divisions and where they will be focused to support students and teachers. More information will be added to this site as it is developed.

Headlines

Virginia BIOSTEM Resources
VDOE and the Virginia BIO Foundation are thrilled to announce the release of a new resource for teachers. The Virginia BioSTEM Resources project offers middle and high school educators a range of bioscience and technology resources they can use with their students. Check it out today!

American Revolution Resource Survey
What tools would help you educate students about the American Revolution?  What more would you and your students like to learn about the American Revolution? The purpose of this survey is to provide information about what resources are needed to integrate into existing lessons to educate students about the American Revolution. To participate, complete the survey by October 22. For further information, please contact Randolph G. Flood at 703.732.9049 or Ellen von Karajan at 410.350.6958.

Virginia Association of Science Teachers 2021 Conference
VAST Science, Systems, Solutions Conference is fast approaching! Be sure to register for the Virtual Professional Development Institute that runs November 16-20. Find out more information and register today!

Virtual Virginia Let’s VIBE Webinars
Virginia public school educators are invited to attend the Let's VIBE series of free webinars and workshops throughout the fall. The professional learning series focuses on different themes in virtual and blended education and is presented by VVA in partnership with Canvas and the Virginia Society for Technology in Education. Registration is required to attend. Recordings of the sessions will be available in the Virtual Virginia Professional Learning Network (PLN). If the PLN is not visible on the Canvas Dashboard, you may self-enroll.  

Free Webinar: Educational Experiences of Afghans
A free webinar will be held on November 10 at 7:00 p.m on Educational Experiences of Afghans: Learning from Afghan Refugee Students and  Families. This will be a facilitated panel discussion that will include resettled Afghan refugee students and parents.  Register to participate today!

Strong Men and Women in Virginia History Contest
High school students in Virginia are invited to honor outstanding African Americans by participating in Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia’s Strong Men and Women in Virginia History student contest. Projects are due by December 31.

Dominion Energy Coastal VA Offshore Wind Virtual Energy Workshop
Presented in partnership with The NEED Project, this free educator workshop will take place on November 6. Participants will receive SOL aligned classroom resources that target four different grade levels. Register by October 28. For more information, email Wendi Moss or call 1-800-875-5029.

EU-Virginia Connections Fall Educator Conference
This fall conference, EU-Virginia Connections: Bring Europe Alive For Your Students, will be held on December 4-5. Register today and join your peers at the Inn at Virginia Tech for this event.

VCU School of Education Virtual Info Sessions
Are you passionate about TESOL, Reading Specialist, or are you looking to add an endorsement in administration and supervision endorsement to your license? Registration is open for VCU fall information sessions!
November 9- M.Ed. in Reading and Post-Master's Certificate in Reading 
November 10- M.Ed. in Reading- TESOL and Post-bacc certificate in TESOL
November 17- Post-Master's Certificate in Educational Leadership 

USED Green Ribbon School Program
The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools recognizes schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement. The deadline to apply is December 10 at 5 p.m. Find out more about the USED Green Ribbon Schools program from VDOE.

Superintendent's Memo of Interest to Teachers