COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 236

November 19, 2004

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	The Second Great Virginia Teach-In: A Call to Teach

The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce The Second Great Virginia Teach-in: A Call to Teach, to be held on Saturday, March 5, 2005, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia. During the first teach-in more than 3,800 prospective teachers attended and were provided the opportunity to meet with representatives of school divisions and teacher preparation programs, licensure specialists, and others to explore hands-on information about teaching in Virginia. This event supports the Governors efforts to provide highly qualified teachers for all students in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

To ensure broad participation for the Second Great Virginia Teach-In, the Department of Education will advertise nationwide. The anticipated audience will include graduates from teacher education programs, individuals interested in returning to teaching, practicing teachers in other states, teachers and other retirees (including the military), college graduates in the arts and sciences, professionals in other careers, and high school students interested in the teaching profession.

Following an opening ceremony on Saturday, March 5, 2005, there will be three major concurrent activities:

• booth exhibits featuring Virginia school divisions, state-approved teacher preparation programs, Career Switcher program providers, and other organizations committed to supporting quality teaching in Virginia;
• workshops and presentations designed to provide information to targeted audiences; and
• interview opportunities with human resource personnel from participating Virginia school divisions.

We hope that you and others in your division will make plans to attend The Great Virginia Teach-In: A Call to Teach.

The Virginia Tech Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement (COTA) will handle on-line registration, hotel lodging, and other logistics. To identify The Great Virginia Teach-In division contact please fax the attached survey to: Michael S. Myers, specialist, Teacher Quality Enhancement Office, Virginia Department of Education, at (804) 225-3671. Upon receipt of the attached survey form, additional information will be forwarded to the contact person indicated.

If you have questions regarding the Teach-In, please contact Dr. Thomas A. Elliott, assistant superintendent, Division of Teacher Education and Licensure, or Michael S. Myers, specialist, Teacher Quality Enhancement Office, at(804) 371-2768.

JLD/MSM/pbc

Attachment: Survey Form

C: Professional Organizations

Teacher Education Program Dean and Directors

Human Resource Directors

Division Licensure Specialists

Career Switcher Coordinators

Virginia Community College System

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2004/inf236a.pdf