VDOE TeacherDirect August 28, 2024

Virginia Department of Education sent this bulletin at 08/28/2024 09:58 PM EDT

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August 28, 2024

In case you missed it...
Every month TeacherDirect will feature a message called
"VTOY TeacherTalk"
from our very own Avanti Yamamoto, Virginia's Teacher of the Year (VTOY).
Enjoy Avanti's back to school message!

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"Welcome back to another great school year! It is an honor to teach beside all of you and serve as your 2025 Virginia Teacher of the Year. Our students are our guiding light. Their endless potential fuels my passion for teaching and inspires me every day. And nothing excites me more than the start of a brand new school year. The smell of freshly sharpened pencils, uncapping a brand new dry-erase marker, putting up brand new bulletin board paper. Most of all, the smiles and hope that our students bring into our class on the first day of school. They come so ready for a new school year and ready to meet their brand new teacher. They wait all summer for their new class schedule and can't wait to meet you. Many are hoping to make a great first impression. Some are excited to learn a new mathematical concept. But every one of them is so happy you're here. They can't wait to create a relationship with you.

What drives these relationships is the profound belief teachers have in our students - we believe in their success and their ability to do and accomplish anything. That belief is crucial because when we believe in our students, those beliefs turn into actions, and our actions convince students of their capabilities. And when students realize their capabilities, they have the courage to dream every dream they can dream. They’ll become teachers, doctors, journalists, mathematicians, or chemical engineers who will one day save the world. That is how we transform the next generation and that is the power that teachers have.

I am here to support you however I can. If you have a question or need advice, email me at 2025VATeacheroftheYear@gmail.com. I will be creating a blog to answer your questions this year. My hope is that through having these meaningful conversations, we can all help each other and in turn help every child succeed. I wish you all a phenomenal school year filled with adventures, learning, and laughter. Above all else, allow your belief that all children can learn and succeed be your guide."
Avanti Yamamoto, 2025 Virginia Teacher of the Year

Headlines

New Reading Test Blueprints
The Virginia Board of Education adopted the 2024 English Standards of Learning in March 2024, and indicated that full implementation of the 2024 English Standards of Learning will occur in the 2024-2025 school year.  The reading assessments measuring an overlap across the 2024 English SOL and the 2017 English SOL will be administered for the first time in the spring 2025 test administration in grades 3-8 and end-of-course (EOC). To support preparation for implementation, the new reading test blueprints are available online.  VDOE has provided additional information about practice opportunities for students.

Immersion PD Opportunity for German Teachers
The AATG-VA chapter is offering its annual Immersion Weekend on Gamification in the German classroom on September 7-8 on the campus of the University of Mary Washington.  Registration deadline is September 1

Year-long PD Opportunity for Language Teachers 
The Center for Applied Second Language Studies (CASLS) is offering a free year-long professional development community focused on Intercultural Communication in K-16 language classrooms.  Meetings will take place last Monday of every month, September-April (excluding December). Outcomes include the creation of materials for collaboration with your local professional team and/or learners. Sign up by September 7 and request specific topics of interest.           

VDOE Issues Draft Guidance for Cell Phone-Free Education
After listening to and reviewing the thousands of comments and suggestions from Virginians about Executive Order 33 , VDOE has developed draft guidance for school divisions on policies and procedures to establish cell phone-free education and remove cell phones and personal electronic communication devices from classrooms. That draft guidance developed is available for review and comment through September 15, 2024. The draft defines cell phone-free education in Virginia’s schools as “bell-to-bell", meaning phones should be turned off and stored away from the first bell at the start of the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the academic school day. “Bell-to-bell” includes lunch and time in between class periods. Learn more and provide feedback at the Cell Phone-Free Education in Virginia K-12 Public Schools webpage.

2025 United States Senate Youth Program for High School Juniors and Seniors      
VDOE will select two student delegates to represent Virginia in the 63rd Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Each selected delegate will receive a $10,000 scholarship and an all-expense paid trip to for Washington Week in D.C., in March. Students interested in applying will complete an application and submit two essay responses. Building administrators will be asked at a later time to certify the student’s application. There are very specific qualifications and expectations for candidates selected as delegates. VDOE strictly adheres to the USSYP program qualifications and expectations outlined by the Hearst Foundation.  Contact: Christonya Brown, Coordinator of History and Social Science with any questions.

Fall 2024 World Language Teacher Education Workshop Series
FLAVA will host a series of free virtual workshops for world language teachers throughout the 2024-25 school year.  Nationally recognized presenters will engage and inform on a variety of topics and offer ideas and resources that you can use right away in your classroom. The next session will take place on September 10 at 4:30p.m.  Register individually for each session on the FLAVA website.

Praxis Support Opportunity
The Virginia Education Association Department of Teaching and Learning will be offering virtual Praxis support in their Quick Tips for Praxis Success series.  Participants can register for a 4-week session for any of the topics listed.  This opportunity is open to all and free for VEA members and non-members for $50.  Registration ends September 2nd.

SURN Novice Teacher Academy-Starting September 25
Teachers in their first, second, or third year of teaching are offered in-person, highly interactive sessions at the William & Mary School of Education that provide just-in-time strategies and information with an emphasis on collegial problem solving, engaging instructional strategies, and teacher well-being. Find your new teacher Tribe with us! For more details and to register, visit the SURN website.

Fentanyl Education and Awareness Resources
The VDOE and the Virginia Department of Health worked collaboratively to develop information and resources for fentanyl education and awareness (HB 1473). The Fentanyl Awareness informational one-sheet was created through that partnership. School divisions should ensure that all 9-12 graders have this sheet within the first two weeks of the 2024-2025 school year. School divisions can choose distribution methods that best meet the needs of their students and families. Additionally, the webpage includes resources for educators on substance use prevention. Read more from VDOE.

Fall World Languages Conference
FLAVA's Fall Conference, Navigating a Changing World with Languages, will be held October 10-12, at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. Register before October 5 for the best value with included breakfast on Friday morning and awards luncheon on Saturday. On site registration will not include meals.

2024 National Family Engagement Summit
The Summit, hosted by Successful Innovations, will take place in Savannah, Georgia and virtually on October 9-11. Learn innovative strategies to enhance family engagement, build supportive community partnerships and create inclusive learning environments from expert-led sessions in hands-on workshops. A registration fee is associated with this opportunity, please visit the National Family Engagement Summit website for more information.

History and Social Science Standards of Learning
The full implementation of the 2023 History and Social Science Standards of Learning will be the 2025 -2026 school year. The 2024 – 2025 school year will be the crosswalk year for the History and Social Science Standards. Contact the history and social science program if you have any additional questions.      

LFVA Coaching Academy: Igniting the Fundamental Skills of Coaching & Leadership
Learning Forward Virginia is hosting two days of powerful learning with Dr. Kim Richardson who is a Virginia educator and ICF professional certified coach. Ignite the leader in YOU with this people-centered approach to coaching and leadership! Specially designed materials are included as well as a certificate for 14 hours of professional learning and several meals. Learn more from LFVA about the Academy, costs, and speakers held at Renyolds Community College on October 17 & 18.

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