VDOE TeacherDirect February 12, 2025

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

February 12, 2025

VDOE Logo

This is Virginia Kindness Week! February 9-15
Kindness Week aims to highlight the significance of everyday acts of kindness, which contribute to making our schools, communities, and state more compassionate, secure, healthy, and welcoming environments. For schools interested in participating in Kindness Week, a variety of resources including a Digital Badge are available from VDOE.

Headlines

New English Standards of Learning Resources Available
New resources to support English teaching and learning have been released and are located on the
2024 English Standards of Learning webpage. The K-12 English Instructional Guides provide support to English and literacy educators as they implement the 2024 English Standards of Learning.  This week your school division's literacy leaders attended a webinar with an overview of the 2024 English Standards of Learning. Recordings and resources will be posted on the 2024 English Standards of Learning webpage as they become available.

Constructive and Practical Tips to Help Create an IEP
This presentation dissects the Individual Education Plan (IEP), examines the parts individually, discusses the function of each section, and how the parts come together to create an effective document. Attendees will learn constructive and practical tips to help create an IEP that supports the student’s access to a free and appropriate public education. Register today!

VDOE K-12 AI Showcase: Request for Presentations
The VDOE in partnership with Germanna Community College welcome proposals on the creative and responsible uses of AI tools in educational settings. Successful proposals will be innovative and engaging, with high student impact and clear alignment with educational goals. The day-long Zoom showcase, scheduled for March 27 and the proposal deadline is February 18.

2025 Computer Science Educator of the Year Nominations
VDOE is accepting nominations for the 2025 Computer Science Educator of the Year.  Educators in all grade levels, as well as instructional technology coaches, administrators, and school counselors are eligible. Students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and the community can submit a nomination as well as self-nominations. Nominations are due by Feb. 14. See the Computer Science webpage.

Upcoming Zearn Professional Learning Sessions
Register for one of the upcoming one-hour virtual professional learning sessions: 
Feb. 18 Grow with Zearn Data: Interpret classroom and individual student data and learn strategies for making data-driven decisions.
Feb. 26 Monitor Learning Data in the Moment: Learn how to monitor usage data continuously to drive weekly improvements and respond to students’ needs.
March 6 Monitor Learning Data Over Time: Explore how to track usage data over time to spot trends and address ongoing challenges.

2025 Civics for US Teacher Institute with the National Archives
Teachers working with students in grades 3–12 are invited to apply by March 31 for the Civics for All of US Teacher Institute at the National Archives in DC. Each participant will receive a stipend to help cover travel, lodging, and other expenses. There will be two separate Institute sessions. The first cohort will meet July 14–17, and the second cohort will meet July 29–August 1.  Educators are invited to participate in free virtual teacher workshops on teaching civics with primary sources. 

National CTE Month
Career and Technical Education is celebrated in February across the nation to recognize the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs.  Its theme, “
Celebrate Today, Own Tomorrow!” provides Virginia schools an opportunity to celebrate and communicate the crucial role that CTE plays in preparing a highly skilled workforce for Virginia’s economy. Refer to the Governor's Proclamation for Career and Technical Education Month. See more from VDOE

VA Gifted Evening Workshop
Join experts from VA Gifted for an upcoming evening workshop.  On February 25, Dr. Ashley Carpenter from the College of William and Mary, will present on "Summer Opportunities for Gifted Students." Learn more today.

George Washington Day Resources
George Washington Day, sometimes called Presidents’ Day, gives Americans the opportunity to honor George Washington and the fascinating history of the American presidency. VDOE has outlined resources to provide schools with an opportunity to explore and expand upon content in the History and Social Science SOL. 

Black History Month Resources
As our nation celebrates Black History Month, VDOE has provided school divisions with resources that honor the achievements and contributions of African Americans, recognizing their vital role in shaping America's history and culture. 
Local school divisions are encouraged to create and implement instructional and community programs that highlight Black history through an interdisciplinary approach, fostering inclusive, year-round lesson plans. See the following resources to support local school divisions in enhancing their curriculum and instructional programming

VSTE Leading Ed Forum-March 13
This Forum is a high-level, strategic gathering where leaders and educators collaborate on critical issues, discuss strategic technology implementation, and explore solutions to enhance student learning and organizational effectiveness. Join your peers at Reynolds Community College. Learn more about attending or presenting.

VAST Making Science Accessible for English Learners
The Virginia Association of Science Teachers has launched a free virtual Professional Learning. In the next session, K-12 science teachers will learn high-leverage practices that can be use in the science classroom to make instruction more comprehensible for English learners. This free virtual session will be held February 26, at 4:45 p.m. Visit the VAST website for more information.

Innovation Summit: Rethinking Learning and Teaching for the Future Across Virginia
Registration is now open for this free Summit hosted by the ODU Center for Educational Innovation and Opportunity. Join on April 23-24, on the main campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, to explore strategies that inspire and drive educational innovation. Learn more and register today!  


VIRGINIA COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS


Master’s In Education-Special Education
The University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development offering a Master’s in Education-Special Education program that is 100% online and asynchronous. Tuition discounts are available for Virginia Educators. Areas of emphasis include Applied Behavior Analysis, Special Education General Curriculum (add an endorsement) or Special Education Leadership. Register for an upcoming information session on February 17, or March 17 at 7:30 p.m.        

Reading Specialist Programs Information Session
William & Mary is hosting a virtual information session on February 19 at 5p.m. to learn more about their MAED program and a post-professional online certificate for teachers who would like to add a reading specialist endorsement. Programs are fully online, in 7-week terms during fall and spring semesters and 5-week terms over summers. Contact denise.johnson@wm.edu with questions.

Administration and Supervision Program
The University of Virginia is currently accepting applications for those wishing to pursue an M.Ed. or endorsement in Administration and Supervision for Summer and Fall, 2025. This is a synchronous online program that meets one evening a week. Tuition discounts are available for Virginia Educators. Join an upcoming information session or contact js5zh@virginia.edu with questions.

Virginia Education Update Newsletter