- Free Professional Learning: Informational Text Comprehension Teaching Strategies for K-12 Learners
- NASDTEC Educator Identification Clearinghouse
- Unpacking the New Arts Standards Workshop for Visual Art Educators
- Learning Target Work Session
- Inclusive Practices in Vermont Schools
- Contracting For School Food Service
- Ask Andy: Why Education Quality Standards Matter
- Asthma Friendly Schools Award to Recognize LEAs
- Courtesy Postings
Free Professional Learning: Informational Text Comprehension Teaching Strategies for K-12 Learners
Audience: Classroom Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Offered March 30, 2018 in Barre and April 2, 2018 in Townshend, this day will be a mix of presentation, small group activities, and work time that results in practical, next-day strategies for classroom instruction. The focus is on helping students comprehend informational texts. Register for Informational Text Comprehension Teaching Strategies for K-12 Learners. Please note that registration is capped at 30 people for each day (same content each day).
Contact: Sarah Birgé, English Language Arts Specialist, at sarah.birge@vermont.gov
NASDTEC Educator Identification Clearinghouse
Audience: Superintendents
The Vermont Agency of Education uses the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Educator Identification Clearinghouse prior to issuing new educator licenses. This service is now available to local school districts (public and private). The Clearinghouse is used by the educator certification/licensure agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and U.S. Territories (except Puerto Rico) to screen out-of-state licensure applicants to identify those who have had an adverse action taken against their certificates. Why is the Clearinghouse important? Since most adverse actions taken against an educator’s certificate are not prosecuted as criminal offenses, the educator's misconduct may not show up in a traditional criminal background check. By including the Clearinghouse in its screening of certified and non-certified applicants, a school district can make fully informed hiring decisions. Find out more information about the LEA Clearinghouse. Submit the online form and we will be glad to provide additional information and answer your questions.
Contact: Debi Price at debora.price@vermont.gov
Unpacking the New Arts Standards Workshop for Visual Art Educators
Audience: Visual Art Teachers
In this workshop, visual art teachers will receive an overview of how the new standards are organized and the major shifts necessary when using them. Strategies for incorporating the artistic processes of creating, presenting, connecting, and responding into your art program will be investigated. The anchor standards and performance standards will be unpacked to create a deeper understanding. Educators will be put into working groups to write learning targets and analyze existing units of study for alignment to NCAS and department goals. PreK-12 visual art teachers welcome. April 6, 2018 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Barre City Elementary and Middle School. Space is limited. Register for Unpacking the New Arts Standards Workshop for Visual Arts Educators.
Contact: Emily Titterton at (802) 479-1378 or emily.titterton@vermont.gov
Learning Target Work Session
Audience: Visual Art, Music, Physical Education Teachers
In this work session, visual art, music, and physical education teachers will receive an overview of the ways in which our state education initiatives overlap with content standards and the major shifts necessary when using them. Educators will unpacked the standards to create a deeper understanding. Educators will be put into working groups to write learning targets that can be used across classrooms and contexts. April 10, 2018 from noon to 4 p.m. at Randolph Union High School, Randolph, VT. Space is limited. Register for Learning Target Work Session.
Contact: Emily Titterton at (802) 479-1378 or emily.titterton@vermont.gov
Inclusive Practices in Vermont Schools
Audience: Teachers, Special Educators, Principals, District Administrators, Other School Personnel
Do you know of schools that do a particularly good job of welcoming and supporting students with significant disabilities in the general education setting and curriculum? We are seeking nominations of schools that demonstrate "the best of the best" inclusive educational practices in Vermont. Our Inclusive Practices project team will select three schools from among those nominated to serve as knowledge development sites. We will observe their schoolwide and classroom practices and use these observations to inform new content for the Vermont MTSS Field Guide. Leaders from these schools will also be invited to present their success stories at our Vermont Inclusive Practices professional learning institutes in Fall 2018. Each school nominated should demonstrate excellence in categories such as MTSS, inclusion of students with significant disabilities, and the role of their special educators in supporting students with disabilities in inclusive settings. More information and nomination process to be found on the University of Kansas website. Please submit your nominations by March 21, 2018.
Contact: Chris Kane, Inclusion Coordinator; Autism and Low Incidence Populations at Christopher.kane@vermont.gov
Contracting For School Food Service
Audience: Business Managers, Superintendents, Principals
Food Service Management Company contracts are valid for one year and may be renewed for up to four one-year terms. Schools or School Food Authorities (SFAs) that are in their final contract year or those wishing to re-bid for school year 2018-2019 must begin their re-bidding process as soon as possible so that a new contract will be in place for the next school year. USDA requires an approved and signed contract to be in effect prior to beginning program participation. Federal funds are not allowed for meals served prior to the approved contract or renewal date. All SFAs must use the AOE Food Service Management Company RFP/IFB template and materials posted on the AOE website. This memo includes a list of SFAs and schools that must re-bid their contracts prior to July 1, 2018.
Contact: Laurie Colgan, Director, Child Nutrition Programs at (802) 479-1187 or Laurie.Colgan@Vermont.gov
Ask Andy: Why Education Quality Standards Matter
Audience: All
Dr. Andrew (Andy) Hargreaves is an internationally-renowned educator and professor at the Lynch School of Education, Boston College. Andy will be joining us in Vermont this spring as part of the Vermont Professional Learning Network’s Digging Deep Expert Series. We recently had an opportunity to ask him questions about his decision to come to our state, and his thoughts on “uplifting leadership” and educator collaboration. Read Andy's answers. Want to learn more about ”Collaborative Professionalism” and ”Leading from the Middle”? Join Andy for workshop sessions on April 10, 2018 and June 19, 2018 to discuss how collaboration can best drive change in your school and district. Register for Ask Andy: Why Education Quality Standards Matter.
Contact: Michael Brownstein at vtclg@ccebos.org
Asthma Friendly Schools Award to Recognize LEAs
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Teachers, School Nurses and Staff
The Vermont Department of Health’s Asthma Program is working in collaboration with the American Lung Association on an Asthma Friendly Schools Award. This award will recognize Local Education Agencies (LEAs) who can demonstrate the highest commitment to improving and maintaining asthma-friendly policies and practices in their schools and promoting good asthma management among their students. The maximum award will be $2,000 for up to three LEAs and distributed in an award ceremony in May during National Asthma Awareness month. The electronic survey application will be available from March 12-April 13, 2018.
Contact: Alex Crimmin, Health Education Coordinator at the American Lung Association in Vermont at (802) 876-6861 or Alex.Crimmin@Lung.org
Courtesy Postings
The views, opinions, and resources shared in this section of the WFM are solely those of the original contributors. The Agency of Education does not endorse the views expressed by these contributors and reserves the right to refuse submissions. Questions related to any of these resources should be directed to the organizations, people, and opportunities as shared.
VSAC’s College and Career Pathways Events
High school students and parents: Don’t miss out on VSAC’s College and Career Pathways 2018, offering a half-day of free, in-depth workshops to help you plan for a future after high school. Topics include how to search for and apply to a college or career program, paying for college, applying for financial aid, navigating college loans and more. Choose from three locations and dates: March 17, 2018 at Saint Michael's College, Colchester; March 24, 2018 at Northern Vermont University at Johnson; or April 7, 2018 at Castleton University, Castleton. New this year: In addition to addressing all things college, our workshops led by experts in the field will also cover apprenticeships, certificates, and skilled trades for pathways to great careers that do not require a college degree.
Contact: Anna Telensky at (888) 943-7301 or events@vsac.org
Rescheduled Due to Weather: C-3 Inquiry-Based Practice in Social Studies Education
National presenter and C3 Lead Writer, Kathy Swan, is snowed in in Kentucky this week. We have rescheduled and re-opened registration. All current participants are still registered for new dates; anyone needing to add in or remove participants based on new dates should contact info@cvedcvt.org. The new dates are April 18-19, 2018 at The Trader Dukes Hotel (formerly DoubleTree) in South Burlington. Learn more and register for Inquiry-Based Practice in Social Studies Education.
Contact: Champlain Valley Educator Development Center at info@cvedcvt.org
Social Thinking: A Model for Managing Anxiety and Improving Self Regulation
This module held on April 30, 2018 will focus on managing anxiety and improving self-regulation using techniques for increasing self-awareness and modifying one’s own behaviors. The Incredible 5-Point Scale (Dunn-Buron & Curtis) is demonstrated as a springboard for developing individualized plans for relaxation, organization and emotional attunement. Learn more and register for Social Thinking: A Model for Managing Anxiety and Improving Self Regulation.
Contact: Caitlin Niland, Intake Coordinator for Professional Learning, at (802)878-2332 ext 320 or cniland@sterncenter.org
Advanced Coder Camp
This new, advanced coding camp at Vermont Technical College – Williston Campus provides an opportunity for campers ages 11 - 17 with some programming background to dive deeper into programming. The camp will be held July 23-27, 2018. Campers will learn to develop simple Android applications using Java and xml. Smartphone apps, robots, video games, small business—the world runs on code. Whether you dream of becoming a Google developer or want to launch your own mobile game startup, your coding path continues here. Cost is $150 – plus many scholarships available.
Contact: Zoe McDonald at zmacdonald@vtc.vsc.ed
Snowy Owl Tutoring Hosts A Virtual Forum "Gun Control: Keeping Our Schools Safe”
On Wednesday, March 21, 2018 from 9-10 a.m., join us for an online discussion on gun control, and it’s implications for schools. The panel will consist of students from Vermont and Parkland, FL, Vermont Policy Makers, and other stakeholders in keeping our schools safe. The format for this online panel discussion will include an introduction, followed by a moderated debate by WCAX’s Eva McKend, and concluding with a Q and A with the audience. Register for "Gun Control: Keeping Our Schools Safe," or call 802-299-9642 for additional information.
Contact: Thomas D. Loudon, M.A, Founder, at CustomerService@SnowyOwlTutoring.com
Flynn Center Community Play Reading Series: "A Doll's House"
The Community Play Reading Series event on Monday, March 19, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. features composer and musician Randal Pierce leading participants through an improvised soundscape and exploration of "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen. Connected to Souleymane Badolo's "Yimbegre" performance on March 30 and 31, 2018. This play reading series is free and open to all. Reserve your spot online.
Contact Sarah Caliendo, FlynnArts Manager, at scaliendo@flynncenter.org
Future of Learning Design Studio I: The Arts, Creativity, and Joy
Join with other educators and community partners at the FlynnSpace for a day-long workshop and design studio presented by Shelburne Farms and focusing on visual arts, media, performing arts, literature, spoken word, technology and industrial arts on Friday, March 30, 2018 from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. This event is one in a series of offerings focused on place-based learning that integrates personalized learning plans, flexible pathways, and proficiency-based graduation requirements. This is a free event. Pre-register for Future of Learning Design Studio I by March 27, 2018.
Contact: Jen Cirillo, Director of Professional Development, at jcirillo@shelburnefarms.org
2018 Teachers Financial Literacy Summer Institute at Champlain College
This free graduate course is being offered June 25-29, 2018 at Champlain College. Join other educators from New England. Teachers who complete the training will have the confidence, skills and curriculum tools to successfully bring financial literacy topics into their classrooms. Learn how to implement Vermont's new Jump$tart Financial Literacy Standards. The Center's Summer Institutes have already trained 128 Vermont educators and this programming has been recognized by the Obama White House, FDIC, CFPB and US Dept. of Treasury. Online applications will be accepted until May 11, 2018. There are only 20 spots available in 2018 for VT educators. For complete information and to apply, visit Champlain College. 100 percent scholarships are avaialble.
Contact: John Pelletier at (802) 860-2744 or cfl@champlain.edu