Suffolk Public Schools Blog

Building on an understanding of foundational assessment principles, this one-day, interactive workshop for teachers in grades 5-12 will explore the ins and outs of assessment that is classroom-situated and therefore teacher-directed. Participants will dive into the roles of assessment, evaluation, and grading and clarify their purpose, uses, users, and consequences. Find out more information from the William & Mary School of Education or register today.

The Conference, Coaching for Advocacy, Advocacy for Coaching, will be held at the University of Mary Washington Stafford Campus on October 28. The keynote address will be led by Skip Tyler, retired, Educational Specialist for High School Mathematics, Henrico County Public Schools. Registration and additional conference information is available on the VACMS website

Do you have English language learners in your class and wonder how to meet their learning needs? General and Special Education Teachers (grades 1 to 8) can explore the basics of teaching students for whom English is a second language. This one-day workshop will provide participants with both foundational information about language acquisition and use-it-tomorrow classroom strategies. Join SURN at William & Mary or learn more about the conference, costs, and schedule today!

This free asynchronous self-paced PD is offered for K-12 educators and college level instructors. Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion. The course, Project WILD for Professors, starts October 7. Find out more information today!

The VVA professional learning opportunities are free for Virginia public school educators! New courses developed with VVA educational partners include:
-CodeVA + VVA: What Is Computer Science? For Educators Learn the fundamentals, Standards, and how to teach computational thinking.
-Marginal Revolution Univ.+ VVA: Supply & Demand Crash Course, 2022-23. Designed for first-time and experienced economics teachers.
-George Mason’s TTAC + VVA Partnership: Courses about High-Leverage Practices for Students with Disabilities.

This Conference focuses on effective instructional strategies for teaching non-fiction literature. It is designed for K-12 educators with concurrent sessions led by elementary and middle school teacher leaders. It features authors, K-12 educators, and university faculty sharing strategies to enhance literacy instruction. Learn more information about the conference today!

Have you ever wondered, “What is the science of teaching reading really all about?” This one-day conference is designed to answer that question and more as participants unpack the “how to” and “what” of teaching reading. Find out more information about registration, costs and details from William and Mary School of Education in partnership with W&M Literacy Lab and W&M T/TAC.

In the Aspire to Ascend series, VASCD will explore multiple pathways to educational leadership. This virtual session will explore the why-how-what of Teacher Leadership and Instructional Coaching, showcase our panelists by sharing their stories and journeys, and then allow time for Q & A with the participants. See VASCD for more information and join your peers for the upcoming October 12–Aspire to Ascend: Teacher Leadership and Instructional Coaching. Future meetings include October 19–Aspire to Ascend: School Leadership and  October 26–Aspire to Ascend: Central Support

K-12 SOL Conferences in English Language Arts utilize a train-the-trainer model featuring demonstrations by classroom practitioners, reading specialists, school and division administrators, higher education partners, the Virginia Literacy Partnerships Office (PALS), and the VDOE Office of Student Assessment. Presenters will provide professional development that focuses on continued implementation of engaging instruction that aligns to the 2017 Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework. Elementary and secondary specific sessions will be held. Register today!

Online M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
New Areas of Emphasis Enjoy the flexibility of a fully online program with the University of Virginia while exploring one of ten areas of emphasis. The Professional Studies emphasis will provide provisionally licensed teachers an opportunity to complete required licensure coursework required by the VDOE while earning a master’s degree. Register and attend the virtual information session on September 12 at 7:30 p.m. Contact Anne Jewett with any questions.

M.Ed program in Administration & Supervision
The University of Virginia M.Ed program in Administration & Supervision prepares the next generation of educational leaders in school districts across Virginia. This synchronous online program uses evidence-based leadership practices and improvement science to assist leaders as they guide the teaching of excellent instructors, manage the complex needs of students and parents, and help orchestrate school reform. Learn more and register for a virtual information session.  

This Competition is accepting registration from teams of students across the country to solve orbit determination, satellite component planning, and launch vehicle selection scenarios presented in a series of online rounds. These are real-world space design challenges. All training, mentoring, and software needed for success are provided. Each team requires an adult leader (typically a teacher) and 2-6 students. A fee of $200 is waived for Title I schools and JROTC teams. Deadline to register is October 17.

VDOE Presentations for Teachers
Recorded presentations for teachers are available on the Growth Assessments page on the VDOE website. The recordings currently posted on this webpage describe a method for using Standards of Learning assessment data to inform instruction, assist in using the Student Detail by Question data extract file, and provide an overview of the Grades 3-8 Reading and Mathematics Growth Assessments for the 2022-2023 school year and beyond. Check them out today!

These Webinars are opportunities for Virginia science educators to hear directly from the VDOE Science Team and will be held the third Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. starting September 21. The topic of the September Teacher Webinar is Safety and the Science and Engineering Practices. Future topics include Supporting English Learners in Science (October), Using the Common Rubric with Science Performance Assessments (November), and Developing Science Literacy (January). Consider registering for any or all of the VDOE Science Teacher Webinars today!

A live virtual professional development opportunity for High-Quality Work-Based Learning stakeholders, “Experience Works—Trailblazing Together for High-Quality Work-Based Learning,” was conducted virtually on June 22-23, 2022. Work-Based Learning coordinators, Career and Technical Education teachers, administrators, school counselors, career coaches, and business and industry leaders attended this informative event. If you missed it, view the recorded sessions and exhibitor videos, which could be a valuable resources. For more information, visit the High-Quality Work-Based Learning webpage.  

The 8th Annual Write-to-Learn Conference will be held on September 17 on the campus of Shenandoah University from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Keynote will feature Social Emotional Learning and Literacy with Deidre Farmbry, a CASEL Senior District Advisor, career educator, and board member of the National Writing Project. Breakout sessions will be led by SVWP Teacher Consultants. Find out more information or register today!

The Virginia Council for Mathematics Supervision will host its Fall Conference October 13-14, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Richmond-Midlothian. Kevin Dykema, NCTM’s President-Elect, will serve as the featured speaker. Dykema is the co-author of Productive Math Struggle: A 6-Point Action Plan For Fostering Perseverance.  To register and view the full agenda for the Conference, please visit the VCMS website.     

Virginia Ed Strategies is currently seeking high school math, science, computer science, and CTE teachers to join CHOICE, an exciting program that empowers teachers, provides them with $1500 per year to self-select professional learning aligned to their goals, and feel support from an online community of peers and resources statewide. There is no cost to teachers or schools to participate, and teachers have autonomy relative to engagement in program activities to fit their unique needs. Complete an interest form and learn more today.

On September 28 from 3:30-4:15 p.m, the VDOE Fine Arts Coordinator will share numerous resources and strategies for incorporating career awareness and workplace readiness into curricula for dance, music, theatre, and visual arts education. A certificate of participation will be issued to those who attend the live session and complete the exit survey and reflection. The session will be recorded. Register to attend.      

This is a yearlong professional development initiative for teachers completing their second year of teaching at the end of the 2021-2022 school year and entering their third year of teaching during the 2022-2023 SY as a provisionally licensed special education teacher. The Academy provides teacher support beyond mentorship in an effort to enhance the retention, as well as the overall performance of provisionally licensed special education teachers. Completed applications and recommendations are due to the VDOE by September 23. See Superintendent’s Memo 163-22 for details.