| DATE: | February 9, 2018 |
|---|---|
| TO: | Division Superintendents |
| FROM: | Steven M. Constantino, Ed.D., Acting Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Virginia Environmental Literacy Professional Development Opportunities |
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and Department of Forestry, is pleased to announce three sustained professional development opportunities for K-12 teachers and administrators. These professional development opportunities support the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement commitment of engaging students in meaningful outdoor education by supporting teacher and administrator professional learning.
Teachers and administrators who apply and are accepted into cohorts are expected to attend a 2018 summer professional development workshop, four webinars through the 2018-2019 academic year, and a two-day culminating workshop in Richmond in the summer of 2019. Upon completion of all portions of the sustained professional development, teachers and administrators will receive a stipend of $225. The 2018 summer professional development workshops are outlined below.
- Investigating an Aquatic Mountain Ecosystem; Judge Matthews State Forest, 106 Matthews Lane, Galax, VA 24333, June 25-28, 2018
- Promoting Environmental Literacy: Professional Development for Science Leaders and Administrators; New Kent Forestry Center, 11301 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, VA 23140, & Port Isobel Island, Tangier Island, Tangier VA, 23440, June 25-29, 2018
- TOTE: Teachers on the Estuary; Virginia Institute of Marine Science, 1375 Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, August 7-9, 2018
Although the cohort audiences are different; the general outcomes of each cohort are similar. Each cohort is designed to allow teachers and administrators to:
- Support the teaching of basic estuary science through both classroom and field activities;
- Explain the current environmental impacts on the Chesapeake Bay and other bodies of water;
- Lead teachers and students in learning activities that improve the students’ ability to become stewards of the environment;
- Integrate content and science skills in the field through Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience with the goal of increasing student environmental literacy;
- Design and implement Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience that are applicable to the regions they teach; and
- Assess student performance in the field and related content Standards of Learning through a teacher designed performance-based assessment.
Funding provided by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Bay Watershed Education and Training capacity grant will cover the cost of registration, lodging, and meals for all participants. School divisions are encouraged to cover mileage expenses for the sessions for division participants as this cost is not assumed by the VDOE; however, this is not a requirement of the program. Enrollment in each cohort is limited to 25 teachers and administrators from across the state. Priority will be given to teachers and administrators from schools not meeting the state benchmark for accreditation in science. Participation selection will provide representation from each Superintendents’ region and will be based on the order in which applications are received.
Registration can be completed online at Environmental Literacy Professional Development Registration
from February 9 - March 15, 2018. Notification of acceptance will be provided to applicants and the applicants’ school principals by email on or before April 15, 2018.
Questions regarding the Environmental Literacy Professional Development opportunities should be directed to Anne Petersen, Science Coordinator, by email at anne.petersen@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 225-2676.
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