Instructional Conference Highlighted by Expertise from Members
November 23, 2020
November 23, 2020
One of the beauties of the VEA’s annual Instruction and Professional Development Conference is the opportunity for educators to learn from the real experts—each other—and the 2020 installment, while digital for the first time, was a spectacular example. Here are just a few highlights of member-to-member expertise:
And those were just the general sessions—in a full lineup of breakouts, educators also had the chance to hear from more of their colleagues, in addition to other presenters. Topics included supporting challenging students, reaching online learners, using music in instruction, building staff resilience, equity, and close reading. Virginia’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, James Lane, also spoke and announced an easing of some SOL tests for later this school year.
“I signed up because during this unprecedented year I was hoping to gain some new skills, both for myself and to share with members in my local,” says Samantha Killion of the Fredericksburg Education Association. “I learned a lot about helping students who’ve experienced trauma, and I’m also excited to be able to take back information about micro-credentials as an option for professional development during this financially taxing time.”
There were plenty of light-hearted moments, too, as comedian Tim Clue entertained, both during the opening keynote speech and the closing session.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, teachers in Virginia earn 67 cents on the dollar compared to other (non-teacher) college-educated workers. Virginia’s teacher wage penalty is the worst in the nation.
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