VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

VSTE News

Big Deal Book, June 1st, 2022

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VSTE partners with Big Deal Media to bring you carefully curated resources designed for K-12 educators. Grants, competitions, web-based and mobile resources and more. We select our favorites from each newsletter but be sure to scroll down and view the whole newsletter. And, since not all the Big Deal Book resources are time sensitive, we provide an archive for you to browse.

This newsletter will help you with Math in the Modern World, Science and Literacy, Musical Diversity & More

 

Web Tool for Exploring the Predictive Power of Scientific Models

The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) has created an online version of its popular activity “Determining and Measuring Earth’s Layered Interior” to challenge students to use evidence in the form of earthquake data to understand the Earth’s interior layers.
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Tips for Talking to Children About Violence

High-profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved ones are at risk. They will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. The National Association of School Psychologists offers guidelines for explaining violent events to children of different ages.

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Journey of Discovery into the Musical Diversity of the Planet
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Smithsonian Folkways Learning Pathways (SFLP) are in-depth curated journeys of discovery that place music at the heart of the educational experience. The free online resources provide a basis for K–13 teachers to explore a broad range of cultural, historical, social, and musical themes with their students.

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Big Book Deal, June 1st , 2022

The Archives

VSTE Welcomes New and Returning Board Members

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a blue apple with a green leaf and brown stemFive candidates have been elected to the VSTE Board of Directors for the 2022-2025 term. Three are new members while two are returning for a second term. You can learn more about each Board member below.

 

Photo of Heather Askea

Heather Askea

Instructional Technology Coordinator

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

View Candidate's Statements
Photo of Dani Hall

Dani Hall

Coordinator of Instructional Technology

Prince William County Public School

View Candidate's Statements
headshot of Patrick Hausammann

Patrick Hausammann

Supervisor of Instructional Technology/ITRT

Clarke County Public Schools

View Candidate's Statements
photo of Wanda Parker

Wanda Parker

Manager, Service Desk, Desktop Support and Telecommunications

Richmond City Public Schools

View Candidate's Statements
Photo of Lucy Spenser

Lucy Spencer

Learning Technology Integrator

Albemarle County Public Schools, Baker-Butler Elementary and Broadus Wood Elementary Schools

View Candidate's Statements

 

VSTE Welcomes New Staff

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The Board of Directors of the Virginia Society for Technology in Education is pleased to announce the selection of two new staff members. Rod Carnill has been appointed as Executive Director. Ashley Clarke will be serving as Assistant to the Director. 

Rod Carnill recently retired from Frederick County Public Schools where he served as the supervisor of instructional technology coaches. He recently served for two years (2018-2020) as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE). He was also an adjunct professor for Shenandoah University teaching Educational Technology Applications and Online Learning courses for pre-service and K-12 teachers. He now supports the SU Children’s Literature Conference as a technical advisor and webinar administrator. With over thirty years experience as an educator focused on literacy and the effective use of technology, Rod still finds it rewarding to help others make great things happen for learners. He is now focusing his efforts supporting professional learning, teacher and student advocacy and educational project management. 

Ashley Clarke serves as Executive Assistant to the Dean Of Faculty/Superintendent for Academics at Virginia Military Institute. Ashley has worked with faculty and students in K-12 supporting educational technology at Jackson River Technical Center and Alleghany High School where she assisted faculty, staff, and students with their technology needs. While at AHS, she aided with the implementation of New Tech in the classrooms through the use of Chromebooks and educational apps. Ashley has worn a variety of other hats in her career including senior sponsor, head varsity cheer coach, co-teacher, SPED teacher assistant, administrative assistant, Freshman Transition Team member, computer lab manager, 1:1 Initiative Team member, and Project Based Learning Manager. Ashley’s true passion is helping students of all ages be successful whether in a general education or trade/CTE classroom setting. She loves seeing students reach their full potential.

“VSTE has been a dynamic part of the educational landscape of Virginia since its inception.  It has grown through the hard work and expertise of its leadership. The Board of Directors is excited for this new chapter of the organization and is eager to begin working with Rod and Ashley as we move into this new season.  We honor our history but happily look to the future as we poise the organization for growth and change to better serve our membership and the students of the Commonwealth,” said Heather Askea, VSTE’s Board Chair. 

Rod and Ashley will begin their tenure on July 1, 2022, upon the retirement of the current Executive Director, Dr. Karen Richardson. 

Big Deal Book, May 15th, 2022

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VSTE partners with Big Deal Media to bring you carefully curated resources designed for K-12 educators. Grants, competitions, web-based and mobile resources and more. We select our favorites from each newsletter but be sure to scroll down and view the whole newsletter. And, since not all the Big Deal Book resources are time sensitive, we provide an archive for you to browse.

This newsletter will help you with Assistive Literacy Software, Game Design Tools, EdTech Activities & More

 

 

Edtech Activities That Encourage Creative Learning Experiences

Don’t miss Logitech’s free resource with teacher-tested edtech activities that empower student expression, engagement, and connection to suit any classroom style. Download the guide and explore new ways to encourage creative learning experiences.
Plus: Join Edina Public Schools and Logitech as they discuss simple, school-tested ways to use technology to creatively enhance learning. You’ll come away with creative ways to personalize learning and specific school-tested strategies that you can use immediately. Register today to attend live on May 18, 2022, at 1 p.m. (PT)/4 p.m. (ET), or get access to the recording.
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Ideas for Teaching About the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis

The nonprofit Facing History and Ourselves has released resources to help students make sense of what is happening in Ukraine and the ongoing refugee crisis. The curriculum for teachers of middle school and high school students includes reflective questions designed to get students talking and come to an in-depth understanding of the war.
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Asking the Right Questions to Support Student Learning

Accelerating learning for students whose literacy growth has been interrupted remains a top priority of Lexia Learning. In the webinar “Less Guessing: Start Addressing,” literacy learning experts Dr. Suzanne Carreker and Julie Bertram review how students learn to read and how to clearly identify where support needs to be targeted. Watch now to see how starting with the right questions can help teachers provide solutions that inspire growth.

Big Book Deal, May 15th, 2022

The Archives

How Rockingham County Public Schools Leveraged LearnPlatform in Pursuit of TLE Seal

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Trusted Learning Environment Logo

The Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal Program, developed by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and a group of U.S. education leaders, is a prestigious achievement for K-12 school systems that have implemented “strong, measurable, and publicly available” student data privacy practices. Rockingham County Public Schools (RCPS) received the TLE seal in June 2021 after nearly two years of work. The rural Virginia district recognized the protection of student data as critical to the district’s technology infrastructure.

Access this case study to learn how they did it.