VDOE TeacherDirect April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025


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School Lunch Hero Day is May 2!
VDOE, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs, and the School Nutrition Association encourage schools to celebrate School Lunch Hero Day. It provides an opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of school nutrition professionals. Between preparing healthy meals for students, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, school nutrition professionals are true heroes. Read more from VDOE.

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Call for Nominations for Vacancies on Board of Education Advisory Committees-Due May 2
The Virginia Board of Education is seeking nominees for a vacancy on the Board’s Advisory Committees. A full list of open seats is available on the VDOE website.  By state or federal law or regulation, some of the vacancies on advisory committees require specific categories of expertise, qualifications, or geographic representation.  Educators, parents, administrators, and other individuals are invited to apply by completing this nomination form by 5 p.m. on May 2. 

Release of History and Social Science Instructional Guides Status Update  
The History and Social Science Department is pleased to announce the release of the history and social science instructional guides. Instructional guides are companion documents to the 2023 History and Social Science SOL – amplifying each standard by defining the core knowledge and skills in practice, supporting teachers and their instruction, and serving to transition classroom instruction from the 2015 History and Social Science SOL to the newly adopted standards. See the instructional guide release schedule from VDOE.

Application for Standard Setting Committees for Reading and Mathematics SOL Tests
The Office of Assessment is accepting applications for standard setting committees for the Reading and Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Standard setting is necessary because of the implementation of new tests based on updated Standards of Learning. The committee meetings will be held at the Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center in Glen Allen, Virginia, on the following dates: Mathematics: June 9-11 and Reading: June 11-13. Educators interested in participating on a standard setting committee must complete an online application. The deadline has been extended. Educators from all regions are encouraged to apply to help ensure broad geographic representation across the Commonwealth. Read more from VDOE and apply today.

VDOE Fine Arts Summer Professional Learning
The VDOE Fine Arts summer webinar sessions will provide relevant and accessible professional learning for Virginia’s fine arts educators related to implementation of the Standards and content of the newly released Instructional Guides resource. Sessions are intended to support both new and returning fine arts educators and leaders in preparing for the 2025-2026 school year.

Virtual Virginia’s Statewide Professional Learning Webinars
The free webinars will take place on Tuesdays at 1:00 PM, featuring expert educators discussing key topics in literacy, computer science integration, accessibility, and digital learning environments. For more details and to sign up, visit Virtual Virginia’s official website.   Webinar Schedule:
May 6 – Supporting Comprehension Using Quad Text Sets for Grades 4-12 with Dr. Sarah Lupo, JMU May 13 – Introduction to Computer Science Integration with Michelle Pealo, CodeVA 
May 20 – Accessibility in Action: Building Inclusive Digital Learning Environments-Brandy Sidlo, ODU 
May 27 – Division Strategies for CS Standards Rollout with Nick Grzeda, Loudoun County PS
June 3, 10, 17 – ActiVAtED Learning Podcast Series:This three-part series will highlight conversations with educators sharing what inspires them about using technology to enhance student engagement.

Hog Island Marsh Cam
Explore the classroom takeover, resources, and sign up for your class for the Marsh Cam Takeover program this spring from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Learn about the various species and their environment in Surry County.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has free resources to spotlight motorcycle safety with your students.  According to DMV reports, in 2024 Virginia experienced 2,245 crashes involving motorcycles and 117 deaths.  Check these out today!

Click It or Ticket Starts in May
Help spread the seat belt safety love with the “Love Clicks” campaign from Drive Smart Virginia. Available resources, brochures and posters that can be shipped to any location in Virginia for free.

VCTM Annual Conference-June 13-14
The Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics will host its annual conference at the Founders Inn and Spa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Virginia Beach. A pre-conference will be held on June 12 and will include a viewing of the movie Counted Out. Visit the VCTM conference webpage for more details.

Virginia Naturally School Recognition
VAN School Recognition is the official environmental education school recognition program of the Commonwealth, administered by the Department of Wildlife Resources. This program recognizes the efforts to increase the environmental literacy of our youngest citizens. Schools may submit applications between April 1 and June 30 of each school year with the recognition awarded by the Fall of the following school year.

Summer Teacher PD Opportunities
The Valentine Museum in Richmond is excited to share several Teacher Professional Development opportunities this Summer:
-July 8: Landmarks and Legos!
-July 9: Social Studies Boot Camp: US History – 1865
-July 23: Social Studies Boot Camp 1865-Present
Additional information along with other events can be found on the museum website.

AI Ready RVA
The free AI Teacher Workshop is hosted by and for teachers on July 23 and 24 starting at 10a.m.. Participants will engage in topics such as responsible use, maintaining rigor, and successfully facilitating student AI tool use. Tools covered include like Brisk, Magic School, Khanmigo, NotebookLM, and advanced ChatGPT functions. Register or learn more today!    

Chesapeake Bay Environmental Literacy Educator Training
The EnLET program has two professional development opportunities for middle and high school teachers. Teachers will explore effects of water quality in the Chesapeake Bay on July 9-11 and the ecological importance of wetlands on July 30 - August 1. The workshops will include hands-on activities and datasets that can be brought back to your classroom. Breakfast and lunch are included. Lodging is available at no cost for out-of-town participants. A $300 stipend is available for participation. Learn more today!


VIRGINIA COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS


Reading Specialist Programs Info Session
William & Mary offers a MAED program and a post-professional online certificate for teachers who would like to add a reading specialist endorsement. Both programs are fully online, offered in 7-week terms during fall and spring semesters and 5-week terms over summers. New cohorts start in July! Join the information webinar on May 7 at 5 p.m. Email questions to denise.johnson@wm.edu.

Graduate Level Course   
In collaboration with VDOE, Norfolk State University is offering a 3-credit graduate level course at no cost to general education teachers that provide instruction for students with disabilities. This 10-week online course will be offered May 19-July 24, to address the effective implementation of specially designed instruction and high-leverage practices. Space is limited to 100 applicants. Contact Dr. Tamara Smith-Moyler, Special Education Graduate Program Coordinator for more info.     

Online Professional Learning Courses: June 16-July 20
Designed for teachers and instructional leaders, each SURN W&M online course in the summer series is organized into five modules with opportunities to explore relevant topics and apply what you learn to your own context. Participants can expect to spend 4-6 flexible, asynchronous hours online each week, engaging in activities that help build your repertoire of practical strategies and skills. Offerings include Classroom Management, Cultivating Student Engagement, Instructional Coaching, Meaningful Formative Assessment, Mentoring Novice Teachers, Multilingual Learners 101, Project Based Learning, and Teaching for the 5Cs. Register or email questions to surn@wm.edu.

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