Teaching & Learning Today: September 2024
September 11, 2024
September 11, 2024
Happy FALL from the Teaching & Learning team at VEA! We hope your school year is off to a great start and will prove to be the best one yet. Know that we continue to work behind the scenes to support your ongoing learning and development as a professional and a union member. We want to hear from you about how we can meet your needs. If you facilitate a meeting in your local and would welcome us to join you, please contact Melinda Bright, Director of Teaching & Learning, at mbright@veanea.org, or 805-775-8331. We look forward to hearing from you!
Southeast Virginia (SEVA) NBCT Regional Network, a partner of VEA NBCT Network, will hold the Annual Fall Conference on Saturday, October 5, 2024. This year it will be totally virtual.
There will be two strands: one for those new to the National Board process and another for those who have submitted a component before or are familiar with it.
Sessions for new candidates will be early in the day and focus on how to get started, an overview of each component, and an exploration of the types of writing needed to complete the written components.
Sessions for experienced candidates and MOC candidates will begin midday with participation in the Writing session to set the stage for two sessions of breakout rooms. There will be a room for each component and MOC during which a facilitator will work with a small group unpacking component questions and examining the rubrics. Each participant will have the opportunity to attend two breakout rooms.
Anyone may attend all day, which will be from 8:15 am until 3:45 pm.
Cost:
$50 for someone who is a paying member of VEA, the Virginia NBCT Network, or SEVA
$65 for someone NOT a member of one of these networks
If you have questions, please contact Nancy at 2ndVP@sevanbct.org
To learn more about National Board Certification, visit our website or go to www.nbpts.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 our Content Developers:
Name: Tiffany Kopcak
Local: Stafford
Role(s) that you have completed with VEA: Content Creator, Social Justice Committee Chair (SEA)
# of years in education: 18
# of years in VEA: 15
How has being a union member helped you?
Being a member of a union is being part of a team. When I stand, and speak, or shout, I don’t do so alone. My brothers and sisters are always there. And when I need to rest and step back, they are there to carry the torch. My union has advocated for equity, equality, and the quality of life for all educators – from teachers to bus drivers, admin assistants, and janitorial staff. All are welcome. All are valuable. They set the tone and culture of our community.
My union, our union, doesn’t speak for me, it speaks for us. It does the research, collects the data, and shows up at the table. It makes me proud to be an educator.
If you could give 1 piece of advice to someone in education, what would it be?
Practice the pause.
Wait after you ask to get them time to think.
Wait before you answer to think about what you will say.
Hold space for others.
Hold space for yourself.
Figure out where you store stress in your body and let that stuff go.
Teacher shortages are a serious issue across the country. Here in Virginia, there are currently over 3,648 unfilled teaching positions. (FY23)
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