Facilitators Needed for CoderDojo 2022; Interest Meetings on May 11 & 19

CoderDojo

Interest Meetings: May 11 at 7 p.m. or May 19 at 4:30 p.m. | Interest Form | Zoom Link

The Department of Technology is seeking facilitators for CoderDojo, Albemarle’s coding and computer science camp. CoderDojo provides elementary students with opportunities for creativity, innovation and fun in an academy-like setting. This camp provides the perfect environment for teachers to explore new instructional strategies and technology tools aligned with the Virginia Department of Education’s computer science standards.

Continue reading

ACPS 2022 Equity Conference: Join Us on June 11!

Equity Conference 2022 Logo

Saturday, June 11, 2022 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Monticello High School | Registration

The ACPS Equity Specialists and Conference Committee are pleased to offer the 2022 Equity Conference on Saturday, June 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Monticello High School. In addition to hearing from educators who are engaged in our collective work to eliminate practices that produce inequitable outcomes for students, participants will discover what it means to be an ACPS Culturally Responsive Educator. We will also recognize our most recent CRT certified and micro-credential candidates. Continue reading

May Is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

science learning, sharing cultural knowledge, and this year’s spelling bee 2nd place winner Claire Meng

According to the U.S. Census Bureau: 

In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad completed May 10, 1869. In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a month-long celebration that is now known as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

In Albemarle County Public Schools, there are 782 students who identify as Asian and 12 students who identify as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. We encourage you to continue to build partnerships and produce relevant curriculum that honors the culture and experiences of these students and their families! Continue reading

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from Families Helping Families!

Families Helping Families logo

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2-6), Families Helping Families has gathered an assortment of discounts and special offers from local businesses for our extraordinary educators! Families Helping Families invites teachers to visit their Teachers/Staff Appreciation web page to access and learn more about these special offers! While some discounts are good this week only, others are available year-round.

Families Helping Families is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for local families and schools to address teaching and learning barriers.

Could You Be the Next Virginia Teacher of the Year? Interested Educators Should Respond by May 6.

VDOE Teacher of the Year 2023

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has launched its annual Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year Program to select the 2023 Virginia Teacher of the Year and to honor teachers who represent the best in teaching in the state and the nation. The program is open to all teachers in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 who possess a current, renewable Virginia teaching license, including school librarians, school counselors, and reading specialists. The program is an excellent opportunity to recognize the impact our teachers are making in the lives of our students, families and colleagues.

ACPS invites all teachers to apply to represent our school division in this statewide program. Teachers can nominate themselves or a colleague for consideration as Teacher of the Year. We will begin the process by asking educators to send an email to teacheroftheyear@k12albemarle.org to express their interest or nominate a colleague. To ensure adequate time to complete the application process, please respond by Friday, May 6. Continue reading

Grading Sessions with Rick Wormeli on April 22

Rick Wormeli

On Friday, April 22, we will offer multiple sessions for secondary teachers to engage in conversations about grading with author and expert, Rick Wormeli. Mr. Wormeli will host four targeted sessions and one open forum for teachers to ask questions on topics that are not covered. Interested teachers should RSVP through this Google form prior to April 22: 4/22/22 Grading PD Sessions w/Rick Wormeli. Continue reading

JMU Literacy M.Ed. Info Session on April 12

JMU College of Education Literacy Master of Education

Tuesday, April 12, 2022 | 4:30 to 5 p.m. | Registration

ACPS has partnered with James Madison University (JMU) to start a cohort of their Master of Education (M.Ed.) program with a concentration in Literacy Education. The program is intended for experienced classroom teachers who want to prepare to become literacy leaders or reading specialists. Educators interested in learning more are invited to join a virtual interest meeting on Tuesday, April 12, from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Click here to register for the webinar.

Continue reading

Mental Health First Aid Training Opportunities

school psychologist helping student

Are you interested in helping support students experiencing mental health challenges?

Albemarle County Public Schools is excited to offer Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to all staff. Mental Health First Aid helps individuals assist someone who is experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. In the Mental Health First Aid course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help. Continue reading