VASCD2024

In this introductory session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), we will learn the basics of AI, explore teacher-facing AI resources, and brainstorm pathways to integrate time-saving tools using AI into our instructional planning. This session is perfect for teachers of all AI experience levels who are curious about its potential to improve their workflow, support their work-life balance, and avoid teacher burnout.

"Promoting Unity and Respect in School Culture" will explore strategies for fostering an inclusive, respectful school environment. Attendees will learn effective methods to enhance communication, build trust, and celebrate diversity. Key takeaways include practical tools for creating a collaborative culture, techniques for addressing bias, and actionable steps for promoting equity. This session aims to equip educators with the skills to cultivate a positive, unified school community that supports the success and well-being of all students.

Being a specialist can be an isolating experience. Come explore the benefits of having a specialist team that functions as a PLC and hear how Kempsville High School leverages its specialist team to create a common vision between specialists and the administrative team to achieve school wide goals.

Experience a captivating journey into secondary education where surprise and delight redefine classroom dynamics. Explore the transformative impact of innovative room environments on student engagement and creativity. Discover practical strategies to turn ordinary classrooms into vibrant hubs of learning, fostering a sense of wonder and igniting passion among students. Perfect for educators at any career stage, this session promises inspiration and actionable insights to cultivate magical learning spaces and elevate teaching experiences.

Being an educator is more challenging than ever. In order to meet the needs of ALL students, we need to challenge institutional norms and create a learning environment that prompts educators to innovate, collaborate and explore new possibilities. Join us as we model and discuss different solutions to effectively engage students and overcome obstacles posed by the pandemic.

Classroom management skills can make or break the classroom experience for teachers and students. In this fun, interactive session, learn practical, easy-to-implement strategies to increase structure, consistency, and calm while reducing misbehavior, stress, and wasted time. Explore simple, innovative ways to teach and reinforce key routines and procedures and learn to use consequences to invite cooperation instead of confrontation while you model respectful communication and teach accountability. Leave with your toolbox overflowing with ideas you can use tomorrow!

Lead your district in establishing a robust, evidence-based multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) that fosters high levels of achievement in reading and math. We'll demystify the MTSS framework, diving into the multilevel prevention system, and share crucial guidelines for effective, evidenced based interventions. These actionable insights will equip you with the knowledge and resources to make systemic change to significantly improve reading and math instruction as well as student outcomes in your district.

Unsure about AI? Curious about AI? Just want to understand it better. Come check out this session and learn not only how AI is already in education, but learn how to make it work for YOU! Learn how to use AI to create differentiated assignments, content based quizzes in seconds, and more. This session is all about AI and you. Beginners are encouraged to attend and devices are needed.

The integration of research-based self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies can positively impact learners across grade levels. Given that SRL is a mechanism for supporting students to develop individualized learning strategies (e.g., goal setting, planning, time management), this session will engage with participants as they (a) further build their understanding of SRL and (b) learn how to infuse SRL strategies in their instructional plans. Personalized SRL-based learning supports will be discussed along with strategies for immediate implementation!

This interactive session delves into the science of flourishing, leveraging brain science and research on basic human needs to prevent burnout in education. Attendees will gain practical strategies for districts, schools, and classrooms, fostering environments where educators thrive. By the session's end, participants will possess the knowledge and skills to implement evidence-based approaches that promote well-being, resilience, and sustained professional fulfillment.

Virginia 4-H, the largest youth development organization in the Commonwealth, is a vital part of Virginia Cooperative Extension, supported by Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. The program engages nearly 185,000 youth in hands-on, experiential learning across four key areas: Agriculture, Healthy Living, STEM, and Civic Engagement. Central to its success is the research-based 4-H Thrive Model of positive youth development, which emphasizes fostering thriving youth through structured programs. According to Lerner and Lerner, youth involved in 4-H programs are nearly four times more likely to contribute to their communities, twice as likely to be civically active, and nearly twice as likely to participate in science programs compared to their peers.
 
Workshop Objectives:
 
Tour the 4-H Mobile Learning Lab: The mobile learning lab tours aim to ignite interest in K-5 students for future careers in healthcare, life sciences, and agriculture, providing early exposure to these fields through interactive experiences.
Review of 4-H Social Emotional Learning Curricula for Primary and Secondary Students: Participants will explore various 4-H curricula designed to enhance social and emotional learning, including Thrive EI, Your Thoughts Matter, GEM, and Mindful Me.
Learn How to Partner and Connect with Your Local 4-H Program: Information on how to connect with your local 4-H extension office will be provided, ensuring accessibility to these valuable resources and programs.
Curriculum Overviews:
 
Thrive EI: Empowering Youth to Thrive with Emotional Intelligence: This curriculum equips young people with essential emotional and social skills to navigate challenges and prevent violent behavior. It focuses on emotional awareness, self-regulation, effective communication, flexible thinking, and conflict resolution, fostering resilience, empathy, and responsible decision-making. Customized for Virginia 4-H, it incorporates input from Virginia teens through focus groups.
Your Thoughts Matter: Navigating Mental Health: Targeted at middle and high school students, this curriculum explores the meaning of mental health, the prevalence of issues like anxiety and depression, and promotes understanding and action. It is designed for advanced-level youth interested in mental health and overall well-being.
GEM: Get Experience in Mindfulness: Suitable for ages 10 and up, including adults, this program emphasizes stress management through practical and interactive mindfulness-based activities. It is research-based and theory-driven, meeting National Health Education Standards.
Mindful Me: A 4-H Primary Mindfulness Curriculum: Designed for youth in grades K-3, this curriculum introduces basic mindfulness practices. It promotes improvements in goal management, self-awareness, time management, stress management, emotional regulation, and mindful eating. Outcomes include short-term skill development, mid-term stress management improvements, and long-term physical, emotional, and social health benefits.

Feeling like you're lost on exile island trying to survive the whirlwind influx of so many AI apps, tools and teaching techniques? With the explosion of A.I., teachers are in the eye of a raging storm of change. Keeping up with all of these new technologies can feel overwhelming - so don't get blindsided! In “A.I. Classroom Survivor,” you’ll have the opportunity to rescue all sorts of new and time-tested classroom strategies from the rising tides of Artificial Intelligence.

You are invited to join us in building bridges toward fostering a restorative school culture that prioritizes belonging, empathy, and accountability. This session offers a comprehensive exploration of strategies and practices aimed at transforming school environments into nurturing spaces where both adults and students feel valued, supported, and connected. Participants will emerge equipped with actionable steps and tools to initiate and sustain a restorative school culture, fostering positive relationships, resilience, and community.

Leading with diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility is the foundation of building a division wide school community where each and every student, staff, and community member feels valued and has a sense of belonging. This session will focus on growing and sustaining DEIA practices and develop an understanding of cultural humility. Participants will leave with applicable next steps and be inspired about their role as a leader in DEIA and the lasting impact on their school community.

This session focuses on equipping educators with strategies to enhance adolescent literacy within the framework of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and to foster success. Participants will learn research-based practices aligned with VLA requirements and gain practical tools for strategic planning. Emphasis will be placed on addressing diverse literacy challenges, meeting students' language needs, and effectively utilizing instructional resources. Attendees will leave empowered to create supportive learning environments for adolescent students.

Evaluating the implementation process enables educators and division leaders to identify how professional training affects educators in literacy instruction. Pinpointing opportunities in the process enables leaders to revise their professional training to meet the contextual needs of their specific division based on feedback from the educators themselves. The evaluation techniques in this presentation specifically address teacher voice, autonomy, and self-efficacy within the implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act but can apply to other instructional programs as well.

Ditch those funky old logos, reimagine the mascot, and bring some pep to those socials! Bring your creative side and learn fundamental graphic design skills that will put you on the right path to rejuvenating your school (or classroom) brand. Primary technology focus: Adobe Express, Illustrator, and Firefly (generative AI). Optionally, bring a device and work along with the demo.

Explore 'RejuvenatED Impact: Revitalizing School Improvement through Instructional Coaching,' where educators unlock innovative strategies to elevate school improvement through instructional coaching. This session positions instructional coaching as an elevation tool to drive school improvement. Participants will embark on an interactive journey, exploring current coaching practices, aligning goals with school needs, and crafting pathways for professional growth rooted in continuous improvement.

UnpluggED: The Administrator's Guide to Work-Life Balance (WLB) was developed from my journey to finding work-life balance as a school administrator. I have utilized strategies and practical methods to maximize my productivity, lift the overwhelming feeling of being constantly “on”, and allow me to create space for joy in my work. We will explore the strategies, workflows, and free tools/apps that I use to find balance and participants will have space to collaborate and find solutions to issues that affect their work-life balance.