Teaching & Learning Today: February 2025
February 14, 2025
February 14, 2025
Welcome to Teaching and Learning TODAY. We encourage you to monitor this newsletter regularly and respond to those areas that interest you. We facilitate the development of professional learning by members, for members and are grateful for the opportunity to do so. Allow us to assist you to learn, grow professionally, and impact others.
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NBCT Support
As an affiliate network of NBPTS, the VEA provides support and professional learning for NBCTs and candidates pursuing certification to both members and non-members. A variety of candidate support services are available including NEA Jump Start workshops, cohorts, and one-on-one support provided by trained NBCT professional learning facilitators. The VEA also uses its voice as a union at the local and state level to increase awareness among policymakers and other stakeholders about the positive impacts of National Board certification on teaching quality and student learning outcomes and to advocates for incentives and supports from the state and local school divisions.
Save the Date: Jump Start will be held in the Richmond area June 26-28. This 3-day workshop is for candidates seeking initial certification. Candidates are guided by experienced NBCTs to unpack their own certificate standards, component instructions, and fundamentals of the process. This workshop is hands-on and personalized for each one’s journey.
Maintenance of Certification Jump Start will be one day – June 27.
To learn more about National Board Certification, visit our website or go to www.nbpts.org.
Updated SOL Practice Items are available for Grades 3-8 and End-of-Course Mathematics and Reading tests. These practice items will provide students an opportunity to become familiar with the types of test questions that will be administered to assess the 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning and the 2024 English Standards of Learning in spring 2025. These practice item sets include new item types that will be field-tested in spring 2025. Field test items are used to collect data and do not count towards a student’s overall test score. Revised resource documents, Guided Practice Suggestions, accompany the updated mathematics and reading practice items to provide specific guidance for teachers or other adults in leading students through the questions.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Assessment by email at student_assessment@doe.virginia.gov or by phone at 804-225-2102.
Over the past several months, VDOE has received questions regarding whether student teaching and other field experiences must take place in Virginia. “Field experiences” is currently defined in 8VAC20-543-10 of the Board of Education’s Regulations Governing the Review and Approval of Education Programs in Virginia as follows:
“Field experiences” means program components that are (i) conducted in off-campus settings or on-campus settings dedicated to the instruction of children who would or could otherwise be served by school divisions in Virginia or accredited nonpublic schools and (ii) accredited for this purpose by external entities such as accrediting agencies. Field experiences include classroom observations, tutoring, assisting teachers and school administrators, and supervised clinical experiences (i.e., practica, student teaching, and internships). Field experiences are required for all programs.”
Field experiences conducted off-campus or on-campus must be accredited by an external entity such as regional accrediting agencies. After consultation with the Attorney General, field experiences do not need to be limited to experiences in Virginia only.
Virginia offers support for educators on how to identify students experiencing homelessness to connect them with services. The webpage includes videos, tip sheets, and more to support training on the McKinney-Vento Act and the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness.
Teaching and Learning received 29 responses to the survey conducted recently to assess needs of this group of members. 19 locals were represented in the responses, and 24 were from classroom teachers. While a variety of experiences were shared, some common requests included training on classroom management, improved mentor programs, and better guidance during the process to full licensure. TL is here to help!
This month, we are highlighting a stack of micro credentials available at veanea.org or click here. Please review the options available and indicate your interest to participate in a small group learning journey at this link. Each micro credential takes approximately 15 hours to complete, and a certificate is provided which may be approved for re-licensure points.
Contact Melinda Bright with questions – mbright@veanea.org.
The work of the Department of Teaching and Learning extends out of headquarters and works directly with members. This month, we will be featuring one of our member partners:
Name: Mary Beth Guzman
Local: Virginia Beach Education Association (VBEA)
Role(s) that you have completed with VEA: State and National Convention Delegate, Currently VBEA Treasurer and VEA Special education Chairperson
# of years in education: 20+
# of years in VEA: 3
How has being a union member helped you? My first experience with NEA was as a college student in the Midwest which has strong union roots giving me a strong sense of support. Re-establishing my connection when I moved to Virginia brought me to the other side of the union, realizing the necessity for organization and collective bargaining. The union has brought me new friends, a sense of an extended family and rich new experiences. It has given me a voice on issues that matter to me as an educator, parent and grandparent. The feeling of solidarity when working with people who have a common goal is energizing.
If you could give 1 piece of advice to someone in education, what would it be? Develop a support network with people who have common goals and various life experiences, mentor when possible, always be supportive and keep a positive attitude. We are all human give yourself grace when you need it.
According to a poll conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University, 66% of Virginians say public schools do not have enough funding to meet their needs.
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