COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 54

March 7, 2008

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	2008 TeachVirginia Educator Recruitment Project

 

In ongoing efforts to address the critical shortage of qualified educators for Virginia schools, I am pleased to announce the continuation of TeachVirginia. The project continues to include comprehensive resources to recruit school personnel, specifically in the critical shortage teaching areas, to Virginia preK-12 schools and to encourage individuals to pursue a career in education.

 

The recruitment initiative includes a membership to Teachers-Teachers.com for all school divisions and state-operated programs within Virginia. The membership, effective from February 1, 2008, through January 31, 2009, allows school divisions to post an unlimited number of positions in all endorsement areas; conduct searches for candidates in all areas; and hire teachers, administrators, and related service providers. Representatives from Teachers-Teachers.com will provide thorough technical assistance for school divisions.

 

As part of the continuation of TeachVirginia, the TEACHERS ROCK Educator Recruitment Campaign is a dynamic approach designed to encourage individuals, including students in high school and at two-year or four-year institutions, to consider pursuing a career in education. I invite you to visit www.teachvirginia.org/plugin to review the type of information that will be shared.

 

In the coming weeks, high schools will receive TEACHERS ROCK posters and flyers. High school personnel, including counselors and Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow instructors, are encouraged to use the TEACHERS ROCK materials in conjunction with the r u ready? (2008 Edition) magazine. The 2008 edition of r u ready? highlighted a career in education and the TEACHERS ROCK campaign with the On Your Mark, Get Set...Teach article on page 21 and a full page announcement on page 41.

 

Another available resource is the TeachVirginia Response Center. The response center provides information services through a website, telephone support, e-mail and postal mail. The website is accessed at www.teachvirginia.org. The TeachVirginia Web site includes information for individuals who may be exploring a career in education, those who are making the decision to become educators and are inquiring about school personnel licensure in Virginia, and those who are licensed educators seeking employment in Virginia schools. The TeachVirginia toll-free number, (888) 832-2481 or (888) Teach-V-1, is available to individuals who may have specific questions regarding teacher preparation programs, routes to licensure, and available positions in Virginia school divisions.

 

If your school division does not have a current membership to Teachers-Teachers.com, you may register directly on the website, www.teachers-teachers.com/virginia, or send an e-mail to Virginia@teachers-teachers.com identifying the persons in your school division who are responsible for recruiting teachers, administrators, and related services personnel. Include their names, titles, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Upon receipt of this information, a representative from Teachers-Teachers.com will contact your staff members to provide training and immediate access as you seek qualified candidates for the 2008-2009 school year. Ongoing technical assistance will be provided for each school division by Teachers-Teachers.com.

  

If you need additional information concerning this service, contact Ms. Desary Bowden, Virginia Recruitment Coordinator, at e-mail: dbowden@teachers-teachers.com or (877) 812-4071. Questions concerning the availability of membership through the Virginia Department of Education should be directed to Dr. Patricia Burgess, special education human resources development specialist, Division of Teacher Education and Licensure, at e-mail: pat.burgess@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 225-2096.

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