Yesterday marked our final regional visit of the Commonwealth Listening Tour—and what an incredible journey it has been. From our first stop in Hampton with Governor Spanberger, to the beautiful mountains of Southwest Virginia, to yesterday’s lively conversations in Northern Virginia, and everywhere in between, each visit has been truly meaningful. 

We’ve heard so much candor, along with a deep sense of hope. We’re excited to take everything we’ve learned and turn that feedback into meaningful, actionable next steps. 

A huge thank-you to everyone who joined us along the way. It truly means so much, and we’re incredibly grateful. There’s still one more day to share your feedback online or join one of our two remaining virtual listening sessions for parents and teachers. 

Onward! 

The Gilder Lehrman program recognizes excellence in the teaching of history at the K-12 level. Each year, thousands of teachers are nominated by students, parents, fellow teachers, and community members, shining a light on the important work they do. 

Nominations for any eligible K-12 teacher are due April 30, 2026, and must be submitted on the Gilder Lehrman website. Nominators are asked to provide contact information for themselves and information about the nominee, including a short statement about why the nominee should be honored. Nominations can be made by any individual who is familiar with the teacher’s work, including students, parents of students, colleagues, etc. Nominated teachers receive an email notification with instructions on how to submit all materials to be considered for the State History Teacher of the Year. State winners receive a $1,000 prize, an archive of classroom resources, and recognition at a ceremony in their state. Nominate an outstanding history teacher here.  

The Virginia Department of Education is seeking applications from individuals who are qualified and available to serve as content developers for Health, Physical, Adapted, and Driver Education multilingual resources. Selected members will serve a one-year term and attend quarterly virtual meetings as part of this project. Selected members will also review and make recommendations to existing Health, Physical, and Driver Education resources created by the Department to support the instruction of multilingual learners.  
Applicants should be teachers, content specialists, or other educators who are knowledgeable about best practices for multilingual learner instruction. All individuals who wish to serve on this committee must submit an online application. Approximately five to seven individuals will be selected.  

Completed applications are due to the VDOE by April 21, 2026. 

The Mathematics unit is excited to announce a new professional development series for mathematics leaders and building administrators to support the implementation of High- Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) at the school and division levels. This series will offer guidance on reviewing materials for alignment and coherence, utilizing the Mathematics Walkthrough Tool to monitor instructional practices, and developing purposeful planning structures. Textbooks and HQIM impact the Student Performance and Support Framework by providing quality materials to support Tier 1 instruction which impacts overall student mastery and growth. While suitable for all schools implementing mathematics HQIM next year, schools federally identified in mathematics or identified as Needs Intensive Support or Off-Track are encouraged to attend. 

Title: Mathematics Leader Series: Focus on Supporting Teachers in Implementing HQIM  
April 22, 2026 9:00AM – 10:00AM  Registration Link 

This session will focus on the systemic implementation of Mathematics HQIM. Participants will have the opportunity to identify potential gaps between the division-adopted HQIM and the 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning and to begin planning for the development of a coherent mathematics program that addresses gaps and provides targeted support for the student population in the division.  

Title: Mathematics Leader Series: Using the Mathematics Walkthrough Tool to Inform Instruction  
May 6, 2026 9:00AM – 10:00AM Registration Link 

This session will focus on using the Mathematics Walkthrough Tool to support mathematics instruction. Participants will have the opportunity to apply the walkthrough tool to an instructional lesson and engage in discourse on providing effective feedback to teachers to inform instructional practices.  

Title: Mathematics Leader Series: Purposeful Planning Structures  
May 6, 2026 9:00AM – 10:00AM Registration Link 

This session will offer interactive opportunities for coaches and leaders to examine their division-adopted HQIM to prepare planning structures that support alignment with grade-level expectations in the 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning. Purposeful planning meetings support teachers, build educator capacity, and ultimately propel student mastery and growth.  

The Title I, Part A Program will offer an Equitable Services Webinar on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 1:00p.m. followed by Title I Office Hours at 2:00p.m. Please join the Title I team using the links below. 

During the Title I Equitable Services Webinar, Title I coordinators will learn the basic requirements of Title I, Part A Equitable Services to eligible private school students, receive tips for conducting initial consultation with private school officials, and learn their responsibilities and as well as the private schools’ responsibilities. 

Title I Office Hours will be a time for Title I coordinators to ask Title I specific questions about their Title I program. 

2026 Title I Equitable Services Webinar
Monday, April 13, 2026 at 1:00p.m.
Meeting ID: 160 147 7617
Passcode: 340307
833 568 8864 US Toll-free  

Title I Office Hours 
Monday, April 13, 2026 at 2:00p.m.
Meeting ID: 160 317 2527
Passcode: 524936
833 568 8864 US Toll-free 

The Virginia Department of Education’s Division of Budget and Finance will host office hours on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 to answer questions about the FY26 SOQ Position Bonus payment. If you would like to participate in the meeting, you can join using the link below. 

Join the FY26 SOQ Position Bonus Office Hours Meeting 

VDOE staff will take questions during the office hours segment and provide answers in real time.   

If you prefer to send questions via email, please send them to doebudgetoffice@doe.virginia.gov.

Final ESEA program allocations for 2026-2027 will be released via the Virginia Education Update Newsletter as they are provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Until the final allocations are available, the 2025-2026 federal allocations may be used to complete the budget sections of the applications for ESEA programs. Revisions may be submitted to adjust program expenses or plans at any time during the process until the application is fully approved. Once the application is approved, amendments will be required for additional program expenses or plan adjustments during the award period.  

To provide technical assistance to school divisions not able to attend the Application Completion Training, PowerPoint presentations will be available at the beginning of May for most program areas on the Canvas site for each title program.  Please refer to the contact information provided in the appropriate application instructions and guidelines document if you need assistance during the application completion and revision process. 

If there are questions related to the mechanics of the application, please contact Patrice Cosely, Grants and Reports Manager, at (804) 225-2586 or Patrice.Cosely@doe.virginia.gov. Questions related to the electronic submission of the application through the Department’s Online Management of Education Grant Awards (OMEGA) system should be directed to OMEGA support at Omega.Support@doe.virginia.gov.

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) is offering the Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) train-the-trainer course to school division personnel in Virginia. This opportunity will allow trained staff to expand the YMHFA curriculum to others in each school division, thus increasing the number of people who can identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents, ages 12-18. 

Please note that participation is capped at three per division. Chosen staff who complete the training should be aware of the teaching requirements once they have received their certification as a trainer, which is “to maintain certification, one must host and teach a YMHFA class three times per year.” This curriculum is comprised of two virtual options.  

Option 1: Four-day train-the-trainer course that includes the initial YMHFA certification (sixteen participants max per class). If you select this option, you will take the initial certification course first (one full day), then move into the three-day train-the-trainer course. 

Option 2: Three-day virtual course where staff will learn the curriculum and teaching skills needed to train future participants. Initial YMHFA certification must already be obtained and not expired to participate in this course option (note: certifications expire after three years). 

Use the following link to review course dates and provide your information by May 8, 2026: YMHFA Train the Trainer Participant Information Form. If you have questions, contact Jessica Caggiano, Child and Adolescent Program Specialist, DBHDS, at Jessica.Caggiano@dbhds.virginia.gov.  

The VDOE Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety remains dedicated to supporting student health and wellness. Contact the VDOE School Health Coordinator Na-Keisha A. White at Na-Keisha.White@doe.virginia.gov with questions or for additional support concerning K-12 immunization requirements. 

The Opioid Abatement Education Program was developed to support K-12 teachers, school-based mental health professionals, school nurses, school resource officers, and administrators with instruction on delivering evidence-based opioid abatement education and prevention programming for students that supports the Health Standards of Learning. The use of the Botvin Lifeskills Training in schools to support instruction on opioid misuse and prevention is free to school divisions. Stipends are available to educators who complete the training program and implement it in their schools. For those interested in training through the Opioid Abatement Education Program, additional information and details are available on the VDOE Opioid Abatement Education Plan web page.  

For more information, contact Nenneya Shields, Opioid Abatement Program Manager, at Nenneya.Shields@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 923-0926. 

The Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs invites you to save-the-date for the 2026 New Director’s Academy! The academy will be held Monday, July 20 – Thursday, July 23, 2026, at ECPI University in Glen Allen, Virginia located at 11104 W. Broad Street.   

This four-day training is for new school nutrition directors, aspiring directors, and decision makers interested in school nutrition leadership. The training is designed to provide new directors with a comprehensive overview of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs operations and requirements. Classes include program regulations, meal pattern requirements, financial management, procurement, accommodating special dietary needs, and much more!  

Registration is forthcoming. Contact Kenndra Buyalos, Lead SNP Specialist, at Kenndra.Buyalos@doe.virginia.gov or your SNP regional specialist with any questions. 

Join the Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs in welcoming our new team members: 

• Rachel Inman, MS, RDN, Procurement Analyst 
• Shannon Girouard, Finance Specialist 

SFAs and community sponsors are encouraged to review SCNP Director’s Memo #2025-2026-37 for Rachel’s and Shannon’s background, and to review Attachment A for all SCNP staff contacts and updated regional contacts.