State Articles of Interest
National program helping veterans become teachers having an impact in Hampton Roads
Mountain Gateway Community College lab school proposal advances
Virginia Department of Education addresses teacher shortages with digital license program
Weapon detection scanners in schools: Half a schoolyear in, here’s how it’s going in Prince William
Metal detectors to be installed in all Richmond middle schools | WRIC ABC 8News
Va. education leaders launch new effort on student mental health
National Articles of Interest
Current child tax credit leaves out historically marginalized children | K-12 Dive
Bullying is linked to school shootings. What do schools need to know? | K-12 Dive
Can parents file civil suits over corporal punishment? SCOTUS declines to answer | K-12 Dive
Child care experts offer optimism amid growing challenges | K-12 Dive
Concerns rise over long-term financial sustainability of school meals programs | K-12 Dive
DOE Updates
New Virginia Licensure Online System
VDOE has launched its Virginia Licensure Online system (VALO) to help modernize the teacher licensure process and make the application and renewal experience more user-friendly for perspective and current teachers. The system is designed to assist applicants as they move through the licensure process. VALO will make it easier for prospective teachers to submit complete and accurate applications, keep track of their application status, and timely correct any needed information. Read more from VDOE!
Creative and Critical Thinking with Art
This a self-paced, innovative and free online course was developed through a partnership of Virtual Virginia and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and uses the museum’s collections to explore creative thinking across different content areas. During this course, participants will explore how inquiry-based engagement with art objects might serve as a laboratory for honing the creative and critical thinking skills crucial to the discipline they teach. Participants who successfully complete this course earn a certificate worth twelve hours of professional learning.
Strategies to Support EL Students in the Secondary Classroom
This workshop provides strategies to support EL students in the secondary classroom sponsored by VaSCL. The target audience is Teachers Grades 6-12, Novice Teachers, ELL Teachers, Special Educators, School Administrators and Coaches. The sessions will be held on March 11, March 14 & March 18, 2024 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (virtual) Find out more information or register.
Session 1: Reading and Listening (receptive modes) with English Learners
Session 2: Writing and Speaking (productive modes) with English Learners
Session 3: Assessing English Learners Participants will also have an opportunity to explore the WIDA language expectations for their content area.
Virginia Statewide LMS Credentials
Four free credential opportunities are available with two tracks for teachers and education personnel and two tracks for technology/infrastructure personnel. Each track includes a series of webinars and a brief online course. Participants who successfully complete a track will earn a certificate and digital badge worth five hours of professional learning. Register for the spring webinars beginning on Feb. 5.
