ACPS recently advertised the start of a new reading specialist cohort program through Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). If you missed the communication, please see our March 7 Compass post. We invite anyone who is interested in taking advantage of this opportunity to join us for a virtual information session on Thursday, April 20, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. If you’d like to attend the session, or if have any questions regarding the program, please email Megan Wood, who will provide a link to the meeting.
Category Archives: Professional Development
Interested in Pursuing Teacher Licensure?
Attention Teaching Assistants: Are you ready for the next step in your career? Do you have an associate degree? James Madison University’s School of Professional & Continuing Education is ready to work with you to complete your bachelor’s degree online!
With a transferable associate degree, while working as a TA, you can complete about 60 credits with JMU in 2-3 years. Upon completion, you will have earned your bachelor’s degree and you’ll be prepared for Virginia Teacher Licensure! This program offers four tracks: Continue reading
Mental Health First Aid Training Opportunity on April 18
Interested in supporting students who are experiencing mental health challenges? Consider signing up for Albemarle County Public Schools’ Mental Health First Aid training, open to all staff. Only 13 seats currently remain in our next course — the last of this school year — on Tuesday, April 18. You can register online through the Professional Learning Management System (PLMS). To learn more about this training, please see our September 27 Compass post.
ACPS Summer Coding Camp: Now Seeking Facilitators
The Department of Technology is seeking facilitators for this summer’s ACPS Coding Camp (formerly CoderDojo). ACPS Coding Camp is a coding academy that provides Albemarle County Public Schools elementary students with opportunities for creativity, innovation and fun.
ACPS Coding Camp will be the perfect opportunity to get a jump start on learning how to integrate the new Computer Science and Digital Learning Integration Standards of Learning! Facilitators will receive $40/hour for days spent instructing students, and $150 plus 5 recertification points for each professional development day attended (up to a total of 20 points). Continue reading
2023-24 Journey into Teaching Academy: Apply by April 1
The VDOE Department of Special Education and Student Services is announcing its fifth cohort of the Journey into Teaching Academy. The Academy is a year-long professional development initiative for teachers completing their second year of teaching by the end of the 2022-23 school year and entering their third year of teaching during the 2023-24 school year as provisionally licensed special education teachers. Continue reading
Interpretation & Translation Workshop on April 15
The ACPS International & ESOL Program is offering an Interpretation and Translation Workshop on Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for staff who currently work in this capacity and are interested in learning more about best practices. The workshop will be held in the ESOL Office, located on the 3rd Floor of the Northside Public Library at 705 Rio Road West in Charlottesville. Lunch will be included! Staff who plan to attend should click here to RSVP.
Questions? Contact Ambha Lessard.
VCU Reading Specialist Cohort Beginning This Fall: Complete Our Interest Form by March 17
Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, the Virginia Literacy Act requires school divisions to employ endorsed reading specialists in elementary schools. ACPS has expanded our staffing standard to include middle and high schools as well, such that each of our schools will be staffed with at least one reading specialist. These positions will require a reading specialist endorsement. To support individuals who are interested in pursuing endorsement, ACPS has partnered with Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education to design a reading specialist pathway. Please click the links below to explore VCU’s program offerings:
Through our informational meetings, we learned that employees preferred a program that was lower in cost, virtual in format, and provided the option for a master’s degree in reading or a reading certificate. We decided to partner with VCU because their program best fits this criteria.
We anticipate launching the Reading Specialist Cohort this fall. Participants will take two courses per term and complete the program requirements by fall of 2024. If you are willing to commit to this program, please complete our Reading Cohort Google Form by Friday, March 17. Continue reading
Upcoming Summer Professional Development Opportunities
The ACPS Office of Professional Development would like share the following summer 2023 professional development opportunities, including Responsive Classroom (core and advanced) and Developmental Designs (for middle school and high school), as well as a reminder about the Embracing Our Narratives Summer Teacher Institute being offered by the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. (Please note: The deadline to apply for the Institute is today!) Click on the embedded links for session details and registration information: Continue reading
Mental Health First Aid Training Opportunity on March 6
Interested in supporting students who are experiencing mental health challenges? Consider signing up for Albemarle County Public Schools’ Mental Health First Aid training, open to all staff. Right now, there are 18 seats still available in our next course coming up on Monday, March 6. You can register online through the Professional Learning Management System (PLMS). To learn more about this training, please see our September 27 Compass post.
Final Chance to Register for a Culturally Responsive Teaching Spring Book Study!
Do you plan to pursue certification or a micro-credential in Culturally Responsive Teaching next year? The Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain book study is a prerequisite for submitting your intent to pursue. This book study (revised in 2022) prepares candidates through professional learning aligned with the division’s Culturally Responsive Teaching Framework and opportunities for reflection and personal growth. Continue reading