Teaching & Learning Today: October 2024
October 9, 2024
October 9, 2024
Welcome to Teaching and Learning TODAY. We hope routines have been established and all is running smoothly for you as we get further into the fall season and your best year yet! Teaching and Learning has many opportunities for growth to offer, but we also invite you to be a part of the change that needs to happen. Monitor this newsletter regularly and respond to those areas that interest you. We facilitate the development of professional learning by members, for members. Allow us to assist you to learn, grow professionally, and impact others!
We need to join forces to advocate in our state legislature for policies that are important to us. Two years in a row, our bill to provide financial support for candidates and to increase the National Board Incentive award has failed. We need to begin our advocacy with our elected officials well before the General Assembly convenes on January 8, 2025.
Chad Stewart, VEA’s Government Relations Policy Analyst, will present updates at this session.
When? Thursday, Nov 14, 2024, 07:00 PM
Where? https://zoom.us/j/98813997069?pwd=XdbcjIEIfrCXqwsNFCzdPBfiI00K5d.1
To learn more about National Board Certification, visit our website or go to www.nbpts.org.
Statewide Access to New Teacher Support Program
The REACH Virginia program is now accessible to all school divisions as a collaborative network of new teacher mentor program leaders from across the Commonwealth. Funded by the General Assembly through the VDOE, this initiative provides resources to support new teachers, opportunities for professional development, and no-cost membership in the network. For more information or to join the program, email REACH Virginia Program Directors.
Dyslexia Symposium at Virginia Commonwealth University
VCU Ruth Harris Professorship and Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC), in partnership with the VDOE are hosting the Dyslexia Symposium on November 9, at 8:30 a.m. The Symposium is an opportunity to take a deep dive in learning about dyslexia and language disorders. There are options to attend in-person ($40), or virtually ($20). Register or visit the website for details.
The work of the Department of Teaching and Learning extends out of headquarters and works directly with members. This month, we will be featuring our Content Developers:
Name: June Prakash
Local: Arlington Education Association
Role(s) that you have completed with VEA: Local President, SPARKS Facilitator, Minority and Women’s Concerns Committee, Project Solidarity, District PAC Leader, Content Developer
# of years in education: 11
# of years in VEA: 5
How has being a union member helped you? Unbeknownst to me, joining my union has opened a multitude of doors that I never knew existed. I quickly became a Building Rep in my local, but still had no idea why I joined. I soon learned that being part of a union (among other things) meant opportunities to network and connect with my colleagues and speak up for the respect and resources that educators deserve.
Joining our union has also provided opportunities for growth as both an educator and a leader. I have accessed (and created) professional learning opportunities at both the state and national levels and have attended many valuable leadership training courses and conferences.
I’m so proud to have made connections on the local, state, and national level, and not only have an expanded network of colleagues and friends around the US, but a vast toolbox of learned skills that will serve me as local President and beyond.
If you could give 1 piece of advice to someone in education, what would it be? We are often asked as educators to reflect on our ‘why’. Most of us know our why, but we need to make sure we have time some days to say ‘why not?’ Find the joy in teaching and learning. Have silly moments -with your students and colleagues. And, in terms of professional grown–you’re never too old, and it’s never too late!
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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