|
Month of the Military Child
April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to honor the resilience, sacrifices, and unique challenges faced by the over 1.6 million children of United States service members. Throughout the nation and Commonwealth educators and communities will take time in April to recognize the contributions of children whose parents serve in the military. Additional information and resources are available from VDOE.
April is Arab American Heritage Month
The Virginia General Assembly issued House Joint Resolution No. 82 which honors the contributions of Arab Americans who enrich Virginia’s educational system, governance, economy, culture, and community. For greater understanding and deeper connection, instruction should aim to engage students, teachers, parents and the community at large; and align with the 2023 History and Social Science Standards of Learning. Resources are available from Smithsonian museums and its affiliates, such as the National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian Online Virtual Archives, and the Arab American National Museum.
VDOE History and Social Science April Professional Development
The History and Social Science unit will offer several professional development opportunities throughout April. A session will be held for division leaders and for classroom teachers. The session on April 9 is titled Bringing Sources to Life More Than a Month: Making Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) History Year-Round and Classroom-Ready, and the session on April 14 is titled Inquiry in a Flash: Bite-Sized Strategies with Big Impact. Learn more from the Virginia Department of Education about the session times, audiences, and registration.
Overview of Proposed 2026-2027 VQB5 Guidelines – Webinar Recording and Feedback Opportunity
On March 23, VDOE hosted a webinar for early childhood stakeholders covering fall 2025 VQB5 successes and profile results, as well as reviewed proposed revisions to future VQB5 Guidelines. The webinar highlighted the enhancements to VQB5 planned for next year, including improvements to VAConnects, more strategic use of VQB5 data, clarified participation requirements, and additional support for curriculum. Complete the VQB5 Guidelines Feedback Survey by April 15. In case ou missed it, view the recording of the Overview of the Proposed 2026-2027 VQB5 Guidelines.
VMFA Distance Learning Program
Visit the galleries of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) during class time with no buses required. Through this program, students visit the galleries with a museum educator via livestream for conversations that use works of art to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of classroom topics. This program is free and available to grades 3 through 12 and college classrooms. Browse the 10 session options including Historical Thinking with Art: VA250.
VMFA Learning on Display: Tapping into Curatorial Practice for the Classroom
Attend the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) upcoming teacher workshop on April 25 at 10 a.m. Learn how to harness your students’ curatorial mindsets to enhance their investigation of topics and concepts. Explore how curation can also elevate your approach to showcasing student learning beyond the classroom. Registration is required for this free workshop.
Serve Virginia Webinar: Enhancing the Volunteer Experience
Effective volunteer mobilization extends far beyond initial recruitment efforts and requires a comprehensive approach to both attracting and retaining dedicated volunteers. There are also many different ways to approach designing a volunteer experience to fit the skills, needs, and interests of different groups. Join Serve Virginia for a webinar on April 28 at noon to discuss insights from the 2025 Virginia Community Engagement Index on the volunteer experience and hear from a panel specifically on the lessons learned from cultivating volunteer experiences for younger audiences. Register today!
|
New Instructional Technology Resource Teachers (ITRT) Toolbox Canvas Course Launch
The Office of Innovation has launched the Virginia ITRT Toolbox Canvas Course, an interactive self-paced, six module learning experience for current and aspiring ITRTs and for leaders who supervise them. Participants earn 16 hours of professional development credit and strengthen alignment with Virginia’s Best Practices for the Instructional Technology Resource Teacher and the Digital Learning Integration Standards of Learning. Learn more today!
|
2026 Virginia Volunteerism Summit
The 2026 Virginia Volunteerism Summit is taking place virtually May 13-14 with follow-up Social Impact Professionals Day on in-person May 15. The theme for the 2026 Summit is “Reflecting on the Past and Innovating the Future of Service,” and the event will feature nationally-known keynote speakers as well as 25+ hands-on workshops, networking opportunities, and more! Attendees can register for just the virtual component, or both the virtual and in-person offerings. Check out the Schedule at a Glance for a rundown of the daily schedule, program schedule and a full list of summit workshops and descriptions! Learn more from Serve Virginia or register today!
2026 Anne and Ryland Brown Teacher Fellowship
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the Library of Virginia invites educators to reflect on the nation’s founding ideals. They are looking for two Brown Teacher Fellows to explore how archival sources illuminate the diverse voices and experiences that have shaped American democracy. By engaging with primary documents preserved at the Library of Virginia, fellows will investigate how individuals and communities have pursued the promises of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Apply by May 17.
Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project (YADAPP)
YADAPP is a year-long leadership program for high school students to address underage substance use in their school community through the development and implementation of a strategic prevention plan. The program kicks off this year with a week-long conference at Christopher Newport University, July 13-17. Teams of 4 high school students and 1 Adult Sponsor attend peer-led sessions, trainings and keynotes that all lead to the development of their Strategies To Act Now (STAN) Plan. Registration is open until June 1.
|
Call for Proposals: TechKnowledgy 2026
The Virginia Department of Education’s Assistive Technology Network is accepting proposals for the 2026 TechKnowledgy Conference, to be held November 16–18, at James Madison University. Presenters are invited to submit ideas for 75-minute interactive breakout sessions focused on evidence-based assistive technology in educational, vocational, and community settings for learners of all ages and disabilities by June 12. The conference theme is “AT in Action,” and proposals aligned with this theme will be given preference. Presenters will be notified of their acceptance by August 14. Priority topics include transition, AAC, inclusive technologies, literacy, numeracy, executive functioning, early childhood, family engagement, and AT connected to the Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOLs). Submit a proposal today.
|
Global Economics Study Tour to Peru
The Virginia Council on Economic Education is partnering with the Global Economic Education Alliance to offer an eight-day study tour to Peru for K–12 teachers and economic educators nationwide. This immersive experience from June 17–24, 2026 allows participants to collaborate with Peruvian educators, exchange instructional strategies, and explore real-world economic concepts. Learn more from VCEE today!
Virginia Data Science Institute
Virginia Data Science high school teachers, 7-12 math, science and CS teachers, specialists, division coaches and educators working with data science are invited to register to attend the fifth annual free Virginia High School Data Science Professional Learning Institute. This Institute theme is "Data Science, Computational Thinking, and Modeling in the Age of AI.” Join your peers at George Mason University, Manassas Campus, on June 22-23, and learn how to integrate these important practices to equip all learners with a workforce-valued skill set. Learn more or register today.
|
Virtual Entrepreneurship Lean Pitch Challenge
High school teachers are invited to nominate a student or team of students to participate in the Virginia Council on Economic Education’s (VCEE) second virtual Entrepreneurship Lean Pitch Challenge. The VCEE statewide competition awards real seed money to assist student-entrepreneurs in starting a business. The goal is to practice the entrepreneurial mindset and innovative problem-solving skills required by employers and self-employment opportunities in Virginia’s Innovation and Gig Economy. Learn more today from VCEE!
|
|
Financial Foundations Conference
Virginia educators are invited to attend the 3rd Annual Financial Foundations Conference hosted by the VCU Financial Success Center by Virginia Credit Union and the Virginia Council on Economic Education. This free, multi-day professional learning experience will explore essential personal finance topics along with ready-to-use classroom resources. The Conference will be held at the Richmond Marriott Short Pump, June 21-25, and space is limited to 50 participants. Learn more or register today.
|
|
Collaborative Practices in Mathematics Education Educator Webinar Series
George Mason’s Mathematics Education Center is hosting a free webinar series designed for PreK–12 educators seeking to strengthen their math instruction through meaningful collaboration. Join the third session on April 13 titled, Designing the Debrief: A Structure for Coaches to Guide Reflective, Content-focused Conversations. Presenters will share the structure, an accompanying Implementation Framework, and research-based insights into how coaches enacted and adapted these tools across multiple coaching cycles. Register or email to learn more.
|
WIDA Free Webinar
The Strategies for Aligning Your Curriculum to the WIDA ELD Standards Framework webinar will be held from 1-2 p.m. on April 20. This webinar will break down a genre-based approach to analyzing and amplifying the integration of content and language in curricula across three criteria. It will focus on how to implement the framework by working whole-to-part, scanning all units for specific criteria. This work can make unit and lesson planning more effective and efficient and create a more cohesive learning experience for multilingual learners. Join WIDA to take a close look at the Curriculum Amplification Guide.
Virginia Colleges & Universities
Advanced Literacy Learning Opportunities
The Literacy Program at George Mason University offers hybrid and fully online Literacy Education Master’s and Reading Specialist graduate certificate options. Complete your studies in as few as 2 to 4 semesters. Register for the online information session on April 9. The event will include an overview of the program options, career outcomes, financial aid, and admissions.
|
Region 2: Virginia Academy for Paraprofessional Excellence (VAPESE) in Special Education
This three-day, in-person VAPESE academy will be held July 7–9, at Norfolk State University and is designed for Region 2 paraprofessionals who support students with disabilities. The Academy will focus on specially designed instruction. Participants will be selected through a competitive application process and are expected to attend all three days of the academy. A stipend, meals and materials will be provided to participants who complete the full program. Applications are due May 1. For information, contact Dr. Tamara Smith-Moyler.
|
Online Education Summer Series
Marymount University’s School of Education invites educators to our online Education Summer Series, running June 29–July 31. This five‑week, accelerated, asynchronous program allows participants to take up to three graduate‑level courses at a special rate of $600 per course with reduced fees. Designed for provisionally licensed teachers, paraprofessionals with a bachelor’s degree, and currently licensed educators, the series focuses on foundations in special education, high‑leverage practices for working with students who have IEPs, and effective PK–12 classroom management. Courses may count toward provisional licensure requirements, professional development/recertification points, a Special Education Certificate, or an M.Ed. at Marymount. Learn more or register today.
|
