VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

Patrick Hausammann

2025-2026 VSTE Certified Coach Cohorts Open!

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Header image that says :Become a VSTE Certified Coach"

Applications are Now Open for the VSTE Certified Coach Program!

Join the fastest growing network of certified coaches in Virginia! The VSTE Certified Coach program (#VCC) is now accepting applications for its 2025-2026 cohorts. This program was created by VSTE to provide a custom professional learning experience for instructional coaches that allows them to collaborate in cohorts while learning the art of coaching. The VCC curriculum is aligned with the ISTE standards for coaching and has been developed in partnership with Forward Edge, an Ohio based company that specializes in instructional coaching. Although originally developed with EdTech Coaches in mind, the VCC program is open to all instructional coaches in Virginia.

All coaches who complete the VCC program will:

  • Have a clear understanding of their role as an educational technology coach.
  • Think systematically about the role their coaching program plays in larger district goals and initiatives.
  • Be prepared to incorporate formal coaching cycles into their coaching program.
  • Create and market professional learning experiences founded in andragogical best practices that are personalized, memorable, and lead to classroom implementation.
  • Possess a strong skill set for building relationships and deepening coaching conversations with educators.
  • Utilize data to make informed decisions about their work as a coach and the needs of educators they support.
  • Approach technology integration from a learning objective first mindset.

 

VSTE Certified Coach LogoOver the past year, hundreds of Virginia coaches have joined the VCC and VSTE is developing the VCC Professional Learning Network to provide continued support, professional collaboration, and opportunities for growth to all VSTE Certified Coaches. You can become a part of this amazing PLN by applying for one of the 2025-2026 VCC cohorts. Act fast - applications close on December 20th, 2024.

Application Link: Go to https://vste.org/vcc/ and tap “Apply Now!”

 

 

The VCC Application Details

Interested coaches will need to determine which cohort they wish to register for based on their experience and availability. There are three VCC cohort options for the 2025-2026 VCC Application: spring semester, fall semester, and full year. The spring semester cohorts will run from January through May and will meet twice each month. The fall semester cohorts will run from August through December and will meet twice each month. The full year cohorts will run from August or September through May and will meet once every month. Newer coaches are recommended to register for the full year cohorts in order to allow more time between learning experience to grow their practice, but all applicants can indicate their preference within the registration form.

Interested coaches will need to fully understand the expectations of the VCC program and must obtain approval from a direct supervisor.  There will be meeting times that will occur during regular working hours, and there is an expectation that participating coaches will commit to the meeting times and participate during those sessions.  In order for candidates to be successful, supervisors will need to be supportive of a coach’s participation and made aware that there is a cost of $350.00 per participant associated with the VCC program.

The 2025-2026 VCC Application Deadline is December 20th, and all applicants will be notified on or before January 10th of their acceptance.  The first meeting of each cohort will be announced in advance, and subsequent meeting times will be determined by a cohort poll.  Arrangements for the payment of $350.00 must be made prior to the first cohort meeting.  Divisions interested in hosting a division-wide cohort should contact the VSTE Certified Coaching Coordinator at VCC@vste.org.

 

 

Common Sense Education Resource Share – November 2024

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An image of students working on laptops in a classroom. A Common Sense Education text overlay appears in the top right of the graphic."Common Sense is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping all kids thrive in a world of media and technology. They support pre-K–12 schools with lesson plans, edtech reviews, family resources, and everything else students need to thrive in a connected world." Below is a custom set of resources pulled from this month's newest updates! Check them out via the links and explore even more at www.commonsense.org/education. VSTE is proud to partner with Common Sense Education.

For Teachers:

For Parents & Caregivers:

 

All Resources via Common Sense Education

All VSTE Posts of Common Sense Education Resources

February 2025 Power of Coaching Conference

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 Register - February 4-5, Williamsburg

 

Click HERE for the room block rateat The Williamsburg Lodge!

 

Our Call for Proposals to Present is still OPEN! Click HERE to submit yours today.

VASCD and VSTE are teaming up to bring Virginia educators a coaching conference to unpack the power of coaching!

In this two-day conference, participants will gain knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to effectively serve in the role of instructional coach. As more and more schools bring coaches as part of their staff and as the role of ITRT shifts from resource teacher to coach, this is a much-needed conference for building capacity and for developing strong networks of coaches, instructional leaders, and coach supervisors across the Commonwealth.

Join us for an amazing chance to learn, teach, lead, and connect!

  • Instruction: Teaching and learning are the core business of schools, and the coach’s chief role is to improve and support instruction in the classroom. Sessions in the INSTRUCTION strand provide coaches, instructional leaders, and coach supervisors with practical applications to support the role of improving instruction.
  • Relationships: The relationship between the coach and school leaders is a critical one for improving student learning outcomes. Sessions in the RELATIONSHIPS strand focus on strengthening the partnership between coach and school leader, data literacy, strategic planning, and roles and responsibilities of coaches and administrative teams.
  • Leadership: Working with teachers and leaders is another key function of instructional coaches, and this is a different skillset when compared to working with students. Sessions in the LEADERSHIP strand will build participants’ capacity for differentiated support when working with individuals, teams, and/or large groups with a heavy emphasis on research-based development, effective professional learning strategies, and adult learning theory.

Day 1:

  • General Session Keynote (Jody Carrington)
  • One concurrent choice session
  • Lunch and Networking
  • Two concurrent choice sessions
  • General Session Keynote (Panel Discussion)

Day 2:

  • Two concurrent choice sessions
  • General Session Keynote (Kim Richardson)

COST: $325

Common Sense Education Resource Share – October 2024

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An image of students working on laptops in a classroom. A Common Sense Education text overlay appears in the top right of the graphic."Common Sense is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping all kids thrive in a world of media and technology. They support pre-K–12 schools with lesson plans, edtech reviews, family resources, and everything else students need to thrive in a connected world." Below is a custom set of resources pulled from this month's newest updates! Check them out via the links and explore even more at www.commonsense.org/education. VSTE is proud to partner with Common Sense Education.

For Teachers:

For Parents & Caregivers:

 

All Resources via Common Sense Education

All VSTE Posts of Common Sense Education Resources

Maker Mindset Conference 2025: Let’s Make it Work in K-12!

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Conference website: https://sites.google.com/view/maker-mindset-conference/home

 

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Anyone can be a maker. A maker mindset requires creative and critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and perseverance. These are all skills that not only help students to succeed in the classroom, but also in the world around them. 

The conference planning committee invites you to submit a proposal for this year’s fall conference in the following formats:

  1. Panel Discussion - These are discussion sessions that aim to bring together experts on a topic, which they will discuss during the session and will have a longer and more interactive discussion with the audience. 
  2. Workshop - Workshops are subject focused sessions that provide participants the opportunity to gain knowledge and learn skills together. This can range from professional development topics, such as teaching strategies, to timely theoretical topics. 
  3. Traditional Presentation - A formal, speaker-led session where an expert or group of experts present on a specific topic related to the maker mindset. This session is designed for attendees to gain new information, insights, or perspectives on a focused area, typically including slides, data, or case studies. Audience interaction is limited to Q&A at the end, allowing for in-depth exploration of the presented material.
  4. Campfire - Campfire sessions are a more informal take on the traditional presentation. Its aim is to break down the barriers of the lectern.  While the session starts with a 15-20 minute presentation from a speaker, it then shifts to focusing on gaining key participation from the audience. The presenter turns facilitator allowing attendees to answer questions and provide comments. It allows attendees to drive their own learning, listen to different perspectives and share experiences.

Note – All sessions are 50 minutes long

Interested presenters should submit a proposal by 11:59 pm October 31, 2024. The conference committee will review the proposals and electronic acceptance communications will be sent to the lead presenters by no later than November 15. 

Please submit your proposal online: https://forms.gle/HiCwKRwryei7qJqP6 

 

Kindly,

Conference Planning Committee