VDOE TeacherDirect May 13, 2026

May 13, 2026


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May is Mental Health Awareness Month! This year’s theme, More Good Days, Together, highlights the power of connection in supporting well-being. Across our Commonwealth Listening Tour, we consistently heard that student mental health support is more important than ever. Addressing behavioral and mental health needs is essential to student learning and overall well-being, and teachers, school leaders, and central office staff continue to call for additional supports. To help build awareness and strengthen practice, the VDOE Career and Learning Center offers on-demand modules and conference presentations focused on improving student behavioral health. Additionally, the VDOE Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety webpage highlights ongoing initiatives and resources supporting student well-being across the Commonwealth. Together, we can help create more good days for students and educators alike.

Headlines

Science Instructional Guides
The Virginia Department of Education science instructional team is excited to announce the release of the Science Instructional Guides which serve as companion documents to the 2018 and 2025 Science Standards of Learning. The science team will offer repeated webinars to provide details about the purpose, intent, structure, content, and context for use. The repeated webinar will be offered four times to accommodate a variety of schedules. Divisions should plan for teams of division instructional leaders, principals, instructional coaches, and science teachers or teacher-leaders to attend. Webinars will be held on:
May 18 at 4 p.m.
May 26 at 4 p.m.
August 4 at 4 p.m.
August 25 at 4 p.m.

Call for Nominations for Vacancies on the State Special Education Advisory Committee
The Virginia Board of Education is seeking nominees for vacancies on the State Special Education Advisory Committee. A full list of open seats is available on the VDOE website. Please note that,  some of the vacancies on advisory committees require specific categories of expertise, qualifications, or geographic representation. Members of advisory committees do not receive compensation for their service but may be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with state travel guidelines. Educators, parents, administrators, and other individuals are invited to apply by completing this nomination form by 5 p.m. on May 22. 

Journey Into Teaching Academy for Provisionally Licensed Special Education Teachers
The Virginia Department of Education is accepting applications for a yearlong professional development program for provisionally licensed special education teachers entering their third year in 2026–2027. The Academy begins with an in-person workshop July 6–9, 2026 (Greater Richmond), followed by additional sessions throughout the year. About 25 participants will be selected through a competitive process. A completed application and a recommendation from the school administrator are due by May 22. Selected participants receive a $2,000 stipend upon completion of the program. Apply today or contact Dwana Cooper for more information.

Multisensory Structured Literacy Training  
The Virginia Department of Education invites K–8 teachers (special education, general education, literacy interventionists, and reading specialists) to apply for a Multisensory Structured Literacy Institute, July 20–24.  Apply by May 27, with a letter of recommendation from your principal. Based on the Orton-Gillingham approach, this training supports students with reading difficulties, including dyslexia. Roughly 100 participants will be selected. Attendance at all sessions, ongoing coaching and participation in a Community of Practice, are required. Contact Christine Mooney with questions.

James River Association Summer Professional Learning Opportunities
This summer, the James River Association invites educators to step outside the classroom and dive into the ecology, data, and future of the James River. The professional development workshops are designed to empower teachers with hands-on, immersive experiences—from earning certified paddling skills and exploring freshwater mussel habitats to conducting real-world field science aboard the Spirit of the James. Whether you are looking to integrate Problem-Based Learning into your curriculum, design innovative green infrastructure projects, or master new data-driven labs, these sessions provide the tools, resources, and inspiration you need to bring the science of the river directly to your students. Learn more today from the James River Association.

North Tier: Time for you: A Summer of Professional Learning
This summer take some time to learn things that did not fit into your super-busy school-year schedule. With North Tier’s 100% online courses, you can build your expertise with the unique blend of instructor-led guidance and "work-when-you-can" flexibility. The courses are a wonderful way to learn more while gaining 30 recertification points, or optionally, 2 graduate credits. Register today. Online courses begin June 1 and end on July 19.

SURN Online Summer Learning
Join SURN on June 14-19 for online, asynchronous professional learning opportunities! Each course in the online learning series is organized into five modules with opportunities to explore relevant topics. K-12 teachers and instructional leaders can expect to spend 4-6 flexible hours online each week, engaging in activities that help build their foundational understanding and  practical strategies and skills. To view the list of SURN courses and to register, visit Online Summer Learning.

The Poe Museum Professional Development Opportunity
The Poe Museum will be hosting two professional development workshops this year. The in-person workshop will be hosted on June 15 and a virtual workshop will be on June 17. These workshops are completely free for educators. Register today!

Math Summer Institute for Teachers
Join the Virginia Department of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education, and several Virginia school divisions on June 15–16 for the Math Summer Institute! Designed for teachers, this two-day event will explore research-based strategies for implementing HQIM curriculum models. Learn alongside nationally recognized speakers and passionate educators through hands-on sessions, collaboration, and practical classroom ideas you can use right away to increase student engagement and achievement. Learn more today!

SURN Leadership Conference
The 28th annual SURN Leadership Conference held on June 15-16, brings together school and district leaders to look, listen, and learn as they explore problems of practice. This year’s theme, Learning Leaders IMAGINE, invites leaders to visualize education from a different perspective. The keynote speakers, session leaders, and staff will focus on helping leaders imagine schools where leaders innovate and create as they meet the changing needs of students.  Register today or see SURN for more information.

Content Teaching Academy
Registration is now open for the Adapted Physical Education Content Teaching Academy at James Madison University. This professional learning experience will take place June 22-25, and offers practical, research-based strategies for designing and delivering instruction aligned with the Virginia Physical Education Standards of Learning. The Academy will focus on inclusion strategies, specially designed instruction, and high-leverage instructional practices to increase access, engagement, and success for all learners. It is designed for physical education teachers, paraeducators, and health and physical education supervisors. A $400 stipend is provided upon successful completion. Register or learn more today.

Moton Museum Teacher Institute
History, civics, or government teachers seeking additional resources and support for teaching the Civil Rights Era are invited to participate in the Moton Museum’s immersive three-day teacher institute, taking place June 24–26. Educators will investigate the role of judicial review throughout America’s history, Jim Crow Recreation for Black Americans, primary resource analysis techniques, and Moton Museum history.  In partnership with John Marshall House and returning to Twin Lakes State Park, the institute includes food, lodging, and online coursework for a suggested 60 recertification points. The registration fee will be reimbursed upon successful completion of the course through a $250 stipend. Register today!

17th Annual Brown Teacher Institute
The Library of Virginia will host the 17th Annual Brown Teacher Institute at the Roanoke Public Library's Main Branch on July 27 and July 28. Visit the Library of Virginia Brown Teacher Institute website to learn more. During the two-day institute, Library of Virginia staff members and guest speakers offer tools, resources, and content to aid educators in the classroom. Teachers explore how to use primary sources to enhance student learning and discover new digital resources.

Zearn Math Summer Intensive Series
Zearn’s Summer Intensive Series helps rising Grade 1-9 students build a deep understanding of the foundational math concepts to support grade-level learning in 2026-27. Each 4-to-6-week series of adaptive digital lessons and instructional materials is designed to flexibly support summer math learning during in-school programming, tutoring or at home. Download and customize a lesson tracker for students to track their progress and celebrate their hard work with a certificate. Access the challenge today!

Biotech in a Box
Biotech in a Box continues its commitment to hands-on STEM education by providing biotechnology themed experiment kits aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning. Each kit includes all equipment, supplies, and solutions needed for hands-on laboratory investigations in the classroom. In addition to the kits, four thermal cyclers are available for teachers who would like to explore polymerase chain reactions with their students. To learn more about individual kits, visit the Biotech in a Box website.


Virginia Colleges & Universities


Online Reading Specialist Program
Virginia Tech’s (VT) Reading Specialist program offers an M Ed for teachers leading to the Reading Specialist VA Endorsement. This 18-month, fully virtual program includes dedicated course series in literacy coaching, adolescent literacy, literacy foundations, and assessment taught by nationally recognized literacy faculty.  The next cohort starts in Fall of 2026. Join VT for a virtual information session on May 18 or May 27 or contact Dr. Heidi Anne Mesmer.

School Librarianship Graduate Program for Loudoun Area Teachers
Longwood University has an opportunity for teachers in the Loudoun area seeking their School Librarianship master’s degree or endorsement.  Hybrid classes meet from one to five Saturdays each semester, depending on the course. Register to attend the information session on May 19 at 5 p.m. virtually or in person at Heritage High School Library. Contact program director Dr. Karla Collins to learn more!

English Language Learners Bootcamp
Longwood University is offering three 1-credit online, asynchronous courses for individuals planning to take the Praxis 5362 ESL as an add-on endorsement to a teaching license. The courses cover Assessment, Culture and Professionalism, Instructional Delivery, and Linguistics. Apply to Longwood by May 25 to start with the first course on June 1.

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