VDOE TeacherDirect November 1, 2023

Virginia Department of Education

TeacherDirect
November 1, 2023

VDOE Full Color Logo

Did You Know? 
To help school divisions plan their ALL In tutoring programs, VDOE announced the next steps in rolling out the free reading and math digital platforms. Ignite Reading and Zearn will host a series of webinars in partnership with the VDOE to provide information so school division leaders can make informed decisions about how to use each of these evidence-based approaches to accelerate student learning in your school division. Details can be found in #2023-17 Virginia Education Update 26 October 2023. Webinar dates: 

  •  Ignite Reading Zoom webinars11/1 at 10 a.m., 11/2 at 2 p.m., 11/6 at 10 a.m., 11/8 at 2 p.m.   
  • Zearn Zoom webinars: 11/2 at 4 p.m.(Link), 11/9 at 2 p.m.(Link), 11/10 at noon (Link

HEADLINES

Sample Integrated Lesson Plans for VESOL and Introductory Webinar
VDOE Office of Student Assessment and the Office of Special Education Instructional Services would like to remind teachers that the Sample Integrated Lesson Plans for Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL) webpage and the prerecorded Introductory Webinar for Sample Integrated Lesson Plans are now available. These sample lesson plans are designed to support instruction of VESOL in the content areas of reading, mathematics, and science. Most include an integrated component that provides opportunities for students to practice these content area skills simultaneously. Teachers should visit the webpage regularly as new lesson plans are added weekly 

Nominations K-12 Mathematics Textbook Review Committee Members 
VDOE is seeking nominations from division superintendents for individuals who are qualified and available to serve on committees to review K-12 mathematics textbooks beginning in November 2023. Nominees should be teachers, mathematics specialists, or curriculum supervisors who have expertise with the content areas and the standards. Selected members will be asked to review the submitted textbooks and submit correlation worksheets to VDOE for final review of all submitted materials. All individuals who wish to serve on one of the review committees must submit an application through the Web-based process, Instruction Committee Application Processing System (ICAPS). The completed application requires a professional reference and division approval and are due by November 2. Contact vdoe.mathematics@doe.virginia.gov with questions. 

Virginia Statewide LMS Credentials for Educators & Technology/Infrastructure Personnel
Four credential opportunities are available, with two tracks for teachers and other education personnel and two tracks for technology/infrastructure personnel. Each will include a series of webinars and a brief online course. Participants who successfully complete a track will earn a certificate and digital badge worth five hours of professional learning. Register for the webinar series. 

English Language Proficiency Assessments Test Administration Schedule2023-2024 
The statewide ELP assessments testing window for the 2023-2024 school year opens January 16 and closes  March 22, 2024. School divisions must assess all English learners (ELs) with an approved ELP assessment during this testing window. A detailed ELP assessment test administration schedule for the 2023-2024 school year is available online and includes information and important dates for administering the assessments. Additional information is available on the Virginia English Language Proficiency Assessment webpage and the Virginia WIDA website. 

Request a Visit from Miss Virginia!
Miss Virginia is traveling across the state encouraging healthy choices, wellness, and substance use prevention. Through the Miss Virginia School Tour, each student will receive a copy of the Virginia ABC educational Health and Safety Activity Workbook. Request a visit from Miss Virginia for your elementary students today!

Virginia English Journal Submission Deadline Extended    
The Virginia Association Teachers of English has extended the deadline for the call for submissions for the 2024 Winter Edition of the Virginia English Journal (VEJ) to December 1.  English and Language Arts educators at all levels are encouraged to write for the VEJ or apply to serve as reviewers.  Additional information about becoming an author or reviewer can be found by completing the interest form or contacting Cinde Wollenberg, VEJ Editor.

Power of Parents Resources
Virginia ABC, in partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the “Power of Parents” resources. he Power of Parents handbooks can help guide middle and high schooler in positive decision making and support ongoing conversations about the dangers and consequences of underage drinking and substance abuse.  See additional information and resources on the website.  

Canvas's Training Services Portal Weekly Sessions
Educators can participate in training sessions each week via Canvas's Training Services Portal. To find any of the sessions listed below, first make sure you are logged into your Canvas account for your local school division. Click the Help button found on the lower-left of the screen and select Training Services Portal. Select the Live Training Calendar to register. Upcoming 4 p.m. sessions include:   
11/2: Managing Assessments with New Quizzes
11/3: Elementary Dashboard for Teachers
11/6: Gradebook and SpeedGrader
11/7: Getting Started with Canvas Badges

VCTM Professional Development Grants
The Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 Ena Gross Professional Development Grants, as well as the Karen Dee Michalowicz First Timers Grants. First round of applications are due December 15th. For more information, review the VCTM Grants and Scholarships Table website.

VCTM Annual Conference
The Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics will host their annual conference "Math Adventures" to be held June, 17-18 in Williamsburg.  Those interested in sharing their expertise with colleagues from across the Commonwealth should submit proposals by November 4. Early bird registration is open until March 1.  Conference updates will be posted on the VCTM webpage. 

Workshop Opportunity: Support for the 2022 VDOE Teacher Evaluation System
 Join Learning Forward Virginia and Stronge & Associates to learn more about how to support the implementation of the revised VDOE Teacher Evaluation System. Workshop topics include: Teacher Performance Evaluation System for Evaluators, Making Summative Decisions/Inter-rater Reliability, and Formative Feedback to Support Teacher Growth. Sign up for all sessions and receive a discount or sign up for each session a la carte!  Visit  Learning Forward VA for more information or register today!


VIRGINIA COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS


Post-Professional Certificate as a Reading Specialist
Consider the William & Mary School of Education to earn your Post-Professional Certificate as a Reading Specialist. Literacy leaders are master teachers who provide essential leadership for the school's overall literacy program and play a key role in leading and supporting teachers to become more effective practitioners in literacy teaching. The post-professional certificate is a 21-credit, fully online program. Designed for certified teachers to add a Reading Specialist endorsement to their current teaching license. Visit the website or email graded@wm.edu for more information.

Virtual Information Session for Online Programs Join Radford University School of Teacher Education and Leadership for one of the virtual information sessions about the following online programs: Curriculum & Instruction (M.S.); Mathematics Education (M.S. & Certificate); Ed Leadership (M.S.); Literacy Ed (M.S. & Certificate); Special Ed (M.S.), Education (Ed.D.) Reduced tuition rate for Virginia Educators pursuing master’s level work is available and some programs have grant funding opportunities.      

Online Licensure and Professional Development Courses
Longwood University offers a variety of courses for licensure requirements and professional development for provisionally licensed teachers and teachers seeking recertification points. Available courses include Foundations of Education, Classroom and Behavior Management, Reading and Writing Instruction in the Content Areas, Human Growth and Development, and more.  Additional information is available about these online eight-week courses at a discounted professional studies tuition rate.

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