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National Writing Project: Teachers as Writers, Writers as Teachers
This summer, Longwood University’s Southside Virginia Writing Project will offer its 8-week online asynchronous Summer Writing Institute: Teachers as Writers, Writers as Teachers. Participants will grow themselves as writers and teachers of writing as they write across genres, participate in peer writing groups, dive into the research on best writing practices across the JK-12 and higher education spectrum, and more. Register or reach out to the SVWP’s Director for more information. Participants may earn up to 90 recertification points for this 3-credit course.
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Virginia Council on Women Annual STEAM-H Essay Contest
The Contest awards high school senior girls pursuing STEAM-H majors and careers with scholarships to aid with their tuition at institutions of higher education, to include but not limited to four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, and career and technical schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia and throughout the Unites States. The Council will provide one merit-based and one need-based scholarship to high school senior girls in each of the five geographic regions across the Commonwealth. Apply by April 7!
April 8 Solar Eclipse Safety
The next solar eclipse will occur on April 8, between 2 – 4:30 p.m., when students may still be in school, preparing to leave school, or traveling home. Although Virginia will not experience a total solar eclipse, it will experience a partial eclipse between about 80-90% totality, depending on the area of the state. If students or staff will be in school on April 8, districts should plan to educate students, parents, and staff about how to safely view the eclipse as damage to eyes is possible while viewing the eclipse. Regular sunglasses, swimming goggles, and most camera filters are NOT safe for looking directly at the sun. The sun can be viewed indirectly using a pinhole projector, which can be made from readily available materials. ISO 12312-2 certified solar-viewing glasses can also be used to protect the eyes. The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) has a variety of free resources about safety considerations for the eclipse.
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VEA Praxis Readiness One-Day Workshop
The Praxis Readiness Workshop helps teachers who are provisionally licensed to master the skills to excel, moving one step closer to full licensure. The VEA is ready to support participants in understanding the assessment, developing a study plan, and practicing test-taking strategies. Participants will receive free access to practice tests for 12 months through the VEA partnership with Study.com! Join VEA for the May 4 session at 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Costs: VEA members $25.00, non-members $125.00 (may be eligible for $100 refund). The fee includes workshop, materials, resources, and lunch/snacks. Register by April 25 at VEA.
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The Month of the Military Child
Throughout the Nation and Commonwealth in April, educators and communities recognize the contributions of children whose parents serve in the military. Governor Youngkin recognized this special month with a Proclamation paying tribute to military families for their commitment, courage, and unconditional support of our Armed Forces. The Month of the Military Child reaffirms Virginia’s commitment to ensuring excellence in schools, childcare and early learning options, and youth services to military children who face unique challenges that other children their age never experience. The VDOE encourages schools to use this collection of resource materials and ideas in planning their own Month of the Military Child activities throughout the month of April including April 17 Purple Up Day!
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April is Arab American Heritage Month
Governor Youngkin recognized April as Arab American Heritage month with a Proclamation honoring the contributions of Arab Americans who have played an important role in enriching Virginia by making contributions to all areas of life including government, business, arts and sciences, medicine, technology, and the military. Resources are available from Smithsonian museums and its affiliates, including the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Asian Pacific Center, Smithsonian Online Virtual Archives, and affiliated Arab American National Museum. Resources are available from the Library of Congress and local libraries.
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Roundtable Discussions on the 2018 Science Standards of Learning
VDOE is hosting roundtable discussions to obtain feedback from educators, parents, and other stakeholders on the 2018 Science Standards of Learning. Feedback garnered from the roundtable discussions will inform the revision process for the 2025 Science Standards of Learning. Roundtable sessions will be available virtually and in-person at the times and dates indicated here. Feedback can be provided through the Comments on the 2018 Science Standards of Learning form or by emailing comments to vdoe.science@doe.virginia.gov. Comments must be received by May 31.
Build Better Lessons: Best Practices for Incorporating Gale Content Into Your Classroom
Gale resources provide collections of diverse content including reference articles, videos, news reports, primary sources, and more. During the information webinar on April 25 from 2:00-2:30 p.m., participants will explore best practices in creating activities and lesson plans utilizing existing collections and will review pre-made materials available on the Gale Support Site. If your school is not currently linking to Gale in Context Elementary, contact barry.trott@lva.virginia.gov at the Library of Virginia.
New Resources Aligned to the 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning
These resources are now available on the 2023 Mathematics Instructional Resources webpage. These resources include Understanding the Standards documents for Grades K-5 (released February 9), and Grades 6 through Algebra 2 (released February 29). The documents further define the content knowledge, skills, and understandings of the Mathematics SOL. They provide background information about mathematical concepts and delineate the minimum content that all students should learn. Understanding the Standards documents for upper-level secondary mathematics courses will be released at the end of March.
Research Fellowship Opportunity for Teachers
The Library of Virginia's 2024 summer teacher research fellowships are now open and seeking four fellows from Superintendent Regions 1, 4, 6, and 8. This year the Brown Fellowship will focus on research and projects that explore Virginia’s Indigenous history in support of the Library of Virginia’s current exhibition, Indigenous Perspectives. Find out more information about this opportunity, stipends offered, and Library's exhibition today!
VT Workshops for Science Teachers
The Virginia Tech College of Science is offering two workshops to be held at Virginia Tech on June 18-20, 2024. The workshops include “Telling Stories through Data Science: Helping ALL science teachers integrate data science in their classrooms” and “Physics: Theory and experiments.” For teachers traveling from out of town, hotel lodging is provided for the night before and during the workshop. Each teacher attending will receive a $250 honoraria.
2024 Summer Teacher of Multilingual Learners Institutes
Registration is open for three 2024 Summer Teacher of Multilingual Learners Institutes with Center for Applied Linguistics in Washington D.C. Dates: July 8-11: CAL SIOP Training-of-Trainers Foundations. July 15-18: CAL SIOP Overview and CAL SIOP Training-of-Trainers Advanced Coaching Strategies. K-12 teachers will use of the SIOP Model to support classroom instruction. All institutes feature activities, lectures, and collaboration with fellow teachers and leading experts. For more information, contact Kia Johnson, Director of PK-12 Language and Literacy.
New Resource: Virginia Assessment Item Maps for Grades 3-8 Reading and Mathematics
This new resource, Virginia Assessment Item Maps, provides descriptions and examples of test items students were likely to answer correctly based on the vertical scaled score they achieved on their state assessment. A vertical scaled score allows comparisons between Virginia Growth Assessments and Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Each item map provides examples and descriptions of actual SOL test questions at different score points within the vertical scaled score range for a specific grade and subject. This information, along with students’ test results, may be used to plan conversations with families, determine intervention strategies to strengthen understanding, or establish a plan to accelerate learning. The Grades 3-8 Reading and Mathematics Item Maps are now available online on the Growth Assessment webpage.
VIRGINIA COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS
Educational Leadership Opportunities
There's still time to apply and utilize the 20% Educator Discount for the VCU online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, Administration and Supervision or Post-Masters Certificate in Educational Leadership this fall. Streamlined application steps outlined in this helpful application checklist.
Still Time to Apply: Reading Specialist Program Opportunities
VCU is still accepting applications to the Post-Masters for Reading Specialists and M.Ed. in Reading: Reading Specialist program for summer or fall! Submit your application today.
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Teacher Licensure Completion Program
The University of Richmond’s TLC program provides provisionally licensed educators with FREE: VCLA and Praxis licensure testing vouchers ($350 value), licensure completion advising and additional instructional coaching support. Provisionally licensed teachers in Richmond-area schools should contact Megan Kertis, TLC Program Administrator & Advisor for next steps.
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Reading Specialist and Literacy Coach Opportunities
Are you interested in becoming a Reading Specialist or Literacy Coach? You can earn your Reading Specialist endorsement with Radford University. Learn more about our online graduate pathways at one of our April information sessions.
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How to Become a Teacher Spring 2024 Information Session
The University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development welcomes you to join us for a virtual information session focused on our teacher education degree programs and alternative pathways to becoming a teacher. A reduced tuition rate is available for VA residents and educators. Registration is required to attend the virtual information session on April 23 at 7p.m.
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Administration and Supervision Online Program
The Administration and Supervision program at the University of Virginia is currently accepting applications for those wishing to pursue an M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision for Summer and Fall, 2024. This is a synchronous online program that meets one evening a week. Join the virtual information session on April 22 or 23 or contact Dr. Jaime Stacy with questions.
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