VDOE TeacherDirect May 8, 2024

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

May 8, 2024

VDOE Logo

Congratulations! Avanti Yamamoto, a mathematics teacher at Hanover County Public Schools’ Atlee High School, was named the 2025 Virginia Teacher of the Year at an announcement ceremony hosted by Governor Glenn Youngkin on Capitol Square this afternoon. Mrs. Yamamoto was selected in April as one of the Commonwealth’s eight regional teachers of the year and is now Virginia’s nominee for 2025 National Teacher of the Year.  Following interviews with each of the eight regional winners, a selection committee chose Avanti Yamamoto. The committee included representatives of educational institutions, the business community, and school divisions. Mrs. Yamamoto has been a teacher for more than 10 years, eight of which she has spent with Atlee High School. Mrs. Yamamoto has always had a passion for mathematics and working with children and is described by her colleagues as someone who was born to be a teacher. Read more from VDOE!

Headlines

VCEE Economic and Financial Literacy Workshop
The Virginia Council on Economic Education invites educators to enhance their economic and financial literacy teaching this summer. By joining VCEE, participants gain access to a series of free dynamic workshops designed to equip them with engaging methods and practical classroom-ready tools. These workshops aim to empower educators to impart essential life skills to their students. Sign-up today to help transform your classroom into a hub of financial wisdom!

Financial Foundations: A Personal Finance Conference For Educators
The VCU Financial Success Center and the Virginia Council for Economic Education proudly present the inaugural Financial Foundations Conference, designed for Virginia educators. Join us for a week of sessions and workshops focusing on personal finance essentials, networking opportunities, and valuable strategies for empowering both educators and students alike. Reserve your seat today!

Virginia War Memorial Summer Professional Development
The Virginia War Memorial is excited to announce that the registration for the Summer 2024 Teacher Institutes is now open!  Options include a one-day professional development session focusing on Connecting Students to History: A Workshop on Research, Writing, and Photography on June 18. The second option is a three-day session on Normandy and Beyond: The Fight for Freedom held July 16-18. These sessions are open to all educators at no cost and teachers are eligible to receive recertification points for daily attendance. Registration is open now.

Celebrate with Authors and Literacy Experts- July 25-26
Longwood's 20th Summer Literacy Institute will be held on campus with the theme, Literacy Aloud. Join young-adult author A.S. King, storyteller and author Donna L. Washington, and authors Lynsey Burkins and Franki Sibberson, in addition to a variety of concurrent sessions celebrating children’s and young adult’s literature. Gain new teaching ideas for your classroom or library. Earn professional development recertification points or graduate credits by attending. Register today!

WIDA’s Digital Tools
Take advantage of WIDA’s digital tools to help you save time while planning your classroom instruction. Use the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Digital Explorer to reference grade-level cluster Language Expectations and Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs).       

FLAVA Awards: Nomination Deadline Extended
The deadline to nominate a colleague for one of the annual FLAVA awards, which includes the Virginia World Language Teacher of the Year, has been extended to June 1. Visit the FLAVA awards page for details on each award and the nomination process.         

Moton Museum Teacher Institute 2024 - Hybrid Workshop
The Robert Russa Moton Museum and Longwood University are offering a professional learning opportunity for middle and high school teachers to learn about civil rights while earning up to 60 recertification points. This hybrid workshop includes three required on-site days at the Museum and two weeks to complete the online portion. Participants will engage with museum resources and learn from guest facilitators. Meals and lodging are included. Cost: $20. Participants will receive a stipend upon successful completion. More information is available or email Leah Brown.

Zearn Educator Training
School divisions that have opted into Zearn Math for Virginia ALL In Tutoring are invited to join live training sessions this spring. In these sessions, facilitators will guide Virginia educators and leaders through their approach to math learning, materials to support tutoring sessions and how to navigate the Zearn platform. The next opportunities for educators are May 22 and June 14.

Applications Now Open for the VSTE Certified Coach Program (#VCC)
VCC and VSTE are actively working to develop the VCC Professional Learning Network (PLN) to provide continued support, professional collaboration, and opportunities for growth to all VSTE Certified Coaches. You can become a part of this amazing PLN by applying for one of the 2024-2025 VCC cohorts.  Act fast because applications close on May 17.

Environmental Education Modules
VDOE is pleased to offer four free professional development modules on science concepts and pedagogy supporting the 2018 Virginia Science SOL. The modules are designed to provide K-12 educators with a deeper understanding of Virginia-specific environmental issues. An Environmental Issues in Virginia Microcredential is awarded upon successful completion the four self-paced virtual modules. Modules run from May 28 to July 5 and July 8 to August 30. Space is limited and based on a first come first serve basis. Email Gregory MacDougall with questions. Register today.

ECODETECTIVES: An Environmental Economics Institute
The Virginia Council on Economic Education, in partnership with Maymont's education staff, is excited to share an upcoming teacher institute combining science and economics to study perplexing environmental issues.  Teachers grade 4-12 are encouraged to apply for this hybrid opportunity, with six hours online and two days on-site at VCU and field trip to Maymont. There is no cost and attendees will receive 18 contact hours.  Registration is now open.

Free Electronic Resource for World Languages
The National Foreign Language Center e-Learning Portal is a free catalog of over 7,000 language learning materials across dozens of languages and dialects developed by the NFLC over the course of nearly 20 years. Visit the help page, which includes a video tour of the features, information about product types, and answers to frequently asked questions.

ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2024 Released
The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2024 (the Guidelines) were released the first week of April. The 2024 revisions improve clarity and accessibility and enhance the utility of the Guidelines by aligning them to key documents, such as the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages and the NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements. 


VIRGINIA COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS


Special Education 2024 Support for Provisionally License SPED Teachers
Complete SEDP 630-Trends in Special Education to jumpstart your career in SPED with a provisional license. Funding opportunities for all special education teaching pathways. Apply today to the Certificate or M.Ed Special Education program or complete as a non-degree student. This program is fully online. Contact SOEinfo@vcu.edu for more information today!

Virtual Information Sessions for M.Ed. Programs 
Information sessions are available to learn more about the University of Richmond M.Ed. programs in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, which also includes a post-master's certificate option. Register for a 45-minute Zoom session on, May 21 to learn more about degree program costs, admissions requirements, financial aid and resources. Sessions begin at 5:30 p.m.

Elementary Education PreK-6 Online Programs
Averett University is now accepting Fall 2024 applications for our new M.Ed. PreK-6 program.  All courses are asynchronous! A virtual information session on our M.Ed. PreK-6 initial licensure, provisional licensure, and endorsement programs will take place on June 4 at 4:30 p.m. Contact Dr. Leslie Kapuchuck, Program Director.

School Librarianship Graduate Program for Richmond/Henrico Teachers
Longwood University has an exciting opportunity for teachers in the Richmond/Henrico area who want to earn their School Librarianship endorsement or master’s degree starting Fall 2024. Students meet in-person with their instructors on Saturdays while they receive online instruction throughout the week. Contact program director Dr. Karla Collins or learn more today!

Virginia Education Update Newsletter