VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

Patrick Hausammann

2023 VSTE Award Winners!

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The VSTE Coach and VSTE Teacher of the Year awards recognize and honor coaches and teachers who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership in implementing technology to improve education.  Award recipients are selected from a pool of nominations submitted by VSTE members from around Virginia.

On December 6th, 2023, two individuals were recognized as Outstanding Technology Coach and Outstanding Teacher for their innovative and engaging work in supporting their peers and districts in becoming change agents in technology education. The winners met the high standards set by the ISTE Standards for Coaches and Teacher Leaders.

Below are our winners and remarks that were provided as part of their application packet.

 

Teacher of the Year

Heather Russell

4th Grade Teacher , Chesterfield County Public Schools

These award recognizes and honors one teacher who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership in implementing technology to improve education.  

Ms. Russell has built a STEAM culture, not only within her own classroom but also within her school building. At the time, STEAM curriculum was only being embedded into classrooms with gifted or high achieving students. Ms. Russell immediately wanted to break that mold and expand STEAM to all students no matter their economic background, race, gender, or instructional level. Just like her students, she is always challenging herself to think outside the box and design STEAM and technology challenges that not only spark creativity within her students but also  bridge the gap between real world connections and the classroom. She is always seeking out new ways to blend technology into her Science, Social Studies, and Math content areas. The legacy she hopes to leave her students with is to always ask questions, dream big, and to inspire others with creativity.

 

Coach of the Year

Nicole Holdcraft 

Instructional Technology Coordinator, Virginia Beach Public Schools

This award will recognize one educational technology coach who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership in implementing technology to improve education.

Ms. Holdcraft has created a supportive coaching culture by being approachable and a true instructional partner. She supports teachers in growing their capacity and helping students move toward mastery of their learning through student-centered coaching. She leads PLCs through data-driven conversations as a starting point for co-planning and co-designing learning opportunities. She has helped teachers identify meaningful connections for innovation in STEM, coding, podcasting, and performance tasks in all grade levels PreK-5. She is firm in her belief that technology access should be equitable and should engage future-ready students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Ms. Holdcraft collaborates with other educators to design accessible and active learning environments as seen with the College Park Elementary Innovation Lab, Makerspace, and Science Lab.   Her innovative spirit and collaborative mindset have made a profound impact on both students and educators throughout her school, district, and state.

VSTE is Hiring! Apply to be the VSTE Certified Coach Program Coordinator!

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Are You the Future VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator?

VSTE is on the lookout for a VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator. The VSTE Certified Coach program aims to provide an extended learning program that certifies instructional coaches and to grow a professional learning network of certified coaches that actively contributes to the VSTE mission and VSTE Certified Coach program.

What Does the VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator Do?

The VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator (VCCC) advocates for the role of coaches across the Commonwealth by managing and promoting the VSTE Certified Coach Program (VCC), facilitating the VCC professional learning network, coordinating the renewal process for all VCC coaches, and collaborating with the VSTE Board of Directors, Personal Services Coordinator (PCS), Digital Resources Manager (DRM), and Forward Edge (VSTE’s VCC partner organization). The VCCC is a dynamic role that impacts instructional coaching across the Commonwealth!

Managing and Promoting the VCC

As the coordinator, one of the main tasks is to work with the VSTE executive committee to promote the VCC program, coordinate the VCC application and enrollment process, and update the VCC program resources. You will work closely with the VSTE executive committee and Forward Edge to ensure the efficient and successful management and growth of the VCC program. This means you will be promoting and running registration windows twice a year.

Facilitating the VCC PLN

The VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator will be the primary point of contact for all VSTE Certified Coaches from registration to certification and through the ongoing renewal process. You will manage the VCC Professional Learning Network by managing an online platform for asynchronous communication, coordinating VCC PLN events throughout the year, publishing a quarterly VCC newsletter, and maintaining a database of all VCC coaches and cohorts. This role will be the liaison between the VCC coaches and the VSTE board.

Coordinating the VCC Renewal Program

In order to support the ongoing growth of the VCC coaches as well as the overall VCC program, the VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator will manage the VCC Renewal Program by advocating for opportunities for VCC coaches to earn renewal credits and contribute to the VST vision and goals. In addition, the VCCC will manage the VCC Renewal Program by providing ongoing communication and support to coaches, reviewing and approving renewal submissions, and maintaining current renewal status for all VCC Coaches.

Collaboration is at the heart of this role. The PSC will work closely with the VSTE Board of Directors, the VSTE Professional Services Coordinator (PSC), and the VSTE Digital Resource Manager (DRM). This collaboration entails reporting updates to the Board of Directors, working with the PSC to coordinate opportunities for VCC coaches, and collaborating with the DRM for marketing material publication and website edits.

Do you have what it takes?

To be eligible for this exciting position, you should have completed the VSTE Certified Coach Program. A passion for instructional coaching and VSTE’s vision and mission is essential. The ability to demonstrate excellence in multimedia and design skills, communication and collaboration skills, and content creation experience are required. Experience in professional development design and presentation, project management skills, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders are highly desirable. Demonstrating honesty, humility, transparency, and respect will be highly valued.
The annual salary for this part-time position is $3,500, based on an average of 2 hours of work per week. The expectation is that this position will have fluctuating periods of activity, with some weeks requiring higher hours per week. This position also offers flexible hours and the option to work remotely.

Ready to Make a Difference? Apply Now!

So, if you're ready to take on this exciting role and make a difference in the world of instructional coaching and education, apply now! We can't wait to meet you. Applications are due by 3-1-24.

Application Form

VSTE is Hiring! Apply to be the VSTE Professional Services Coordinator!

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Are You the Future VSTE Professional Services Coordinator?

The Professional Services Committee is on the lookout for a Professional Services Coordinator. This committee aims to meet the professional development needs of school divisions and individuals across the state.

What Does the Professional Services Coordinator Do?

The Professional Services Coordinator (PSC) will wear many hats to ensure the smooth running of our professional services. This person will be responsible for chairing the Professional Services Committee, managing a consultant database, coordinating bookings and logistics, marketing our services, and collaborating with the Board, VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator, and VSTE Digital Resource Manager. It's a dynamic role that keeps you on your toes!

Creating Policies, Procedures, and a Stellar Website

As the coordinator, one of the main tasks is to work with the committee to create policies, procedures, and a website. You'll work closely with the committee to build a database of consultants and make sure it's always up to date. This means you'll be in charge of communicating with our network regularly.

Client Engagement

The Professional Services Coordinator will be the primary point of contact for clients from their initial inquiry to the seamless booking and logistics of our consultants. Attention to detail and dedication to exceptional service will ensure that every client receives top-notch assistance. Additionally, this person will play a vital role in evaluating the services rendered and providing valuable feedback to the VSTE Board.

Showcasing VSTE Professional Services

To attract school divisions throughout the state, the Professional Services Coordinator will take charge of creating captivating marketing graphics, blog posts, and other promotional materials. It's important to maintain a consistent schedule of content creation to keep our audience engaged.
Collaboration is at the heart of this role. The PSC will work closely with the VSTE Board of Directors, the VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator (VCCC), and the VSTE Digital Resource Manager (DRM). This collaboration entails reporting updates to the Board of Directors, recruiting consultants and providing renewal credits for coaches alongside the VCCC, and collaborating with the DRM for marketing material publication and website edits.

Do you have what it takes?

To be eligible for this exciting position, you should have an Associate's Degree or comparable experience. Marketing experience through social media is necessary, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Knowledge of working with consultants and a passion for helping learners at all levels are also required. Familiarity with VSTE's work, mission, and vision is a plus. Experience in education partnerships within a non-profit setting, proven project management skills, and the ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders are highly desirable. Demonstrating honesty, humility, transparency, and respect will be highly valued.
The annual salary for this part-time position is $3,500. The position will likely require an average of 2 hours of work per week with the possibility of additional hours & pay compensated at a comparable rate for special projects as approved by the Board of Directors. This position also offers flexible hours and the option to work remotely.

Ready to Make a Difference? Apply Now!

So, if you're ready to take on this exciting role and make a difference in the world of education, apply now! We can't wait to meet you. Applications are due by 3-1-24.

Application Form

Integrating Computer Science with Literacy: An Adventure Like No Other

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Written by Cara Hynden (chynden@ycsd.york.va.us, @cehynden82)

Throughout my 19-year teaching career, I have held various roles such as classroom teacher, ESL specialist, and ITRT. All of my experience has been in the elementary setting. In my recent transition to the role of Instructional Innovation Coach in York County School Division, not only did I move to the middle school setting, I recognized the need to expand my knowledge in computer science and robotics, an endeavor that has become a central focus.

Students coding a robot with Chromebooks.As the first formal observation of the year approached, I decided to tackle this challenge head on by collaborating with our school librarian to co-teach a lesson for an 8th-grade Advanced English class. We both needed to have an observation completed by our principal, who graciously allowed us to be observed together for the same lesson. After a long discussion, we decided to do a lesson that incorporated robotics and writing.

Yes, you read it correctly—robotics and writing.

What initially seemed like a somewhat crazy idea gradually transformed into a lesson plan that integrated literacy skills with coding in a way that was engaging and effective in allowing students to showcase their literacy knowledge through the coding of a sphere-shaped robot. Following numerous meetings, drafts, revisions, and moments of doubt, we successfully created a computer science and literacy lesson that combined Sphero Bolts with winter-themed creative writing. Sphero Bolts were introduced to 8th-grade students with prior experience in Scratch programming. The lesson successfully merged coding skills with winter-themed short stories, resulting in an engaging and creative learning experience.

Despite initial anxieties, the lesson exceeded expectations. Students enthusiastically wrote winter-themed short stories, collaborated with partners to code their Sphero Bolts, and showcased their creations at the conclusion of their collaborative work time. The library echoed with laughter and expressions of excitement as Spheros brought the stories to life. Their creativity and willingness to make mistakes and adjust was impressive. Laughter and shouts of “You know what we should do??” rang out through the library as students furiously programmed their Sphero Bolts to become the main characters of stories that included snowmen, Santa, reindeer, and Buddy the Elf.

Students coding a robot with Chromebooks.

The true highlight was coming back together so the students could demonstrate not only their programs, but also the collaboration and variety of literacy skills to include story elements, adjectives and winter vocabulary. One student would narrate the story while the other ran the program. More laughter and a chorus of “That’s so bussin’!!” sounded as Spheros zipped, spun, played music, and lit up. Students of varying ability levels were so engaged and excited that we had several students pass by the library, stick their heads in and ask when they might be able to work with the Sphero Bolts.

This tale carries a dual lesson: firstly, that robotics and computer science can integrate into any curriculum, inspiring engagement and creative thinking. Secondly, embracing challenges creates discomfort. And discomfort encourages us to grow. I encourage you to step into the unknown; you may discover not only your ability, but your students’ ability, to rise to the challenge.

⬇️ Video of the Adventure in Action ⬇️

Common Sense Education Resource Share – January 24, 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