Teaching & Learning Today: May 2025
May 19, 2025
May 19, 2025
Welcome to Teaching and Learning TODAY. You have made it to May, and the end of this school year is in plain sight. While you are busy with end-of-year duties, responsibilities, and activities, be sure to check out the opportunities for continued growth and development brought to you by your union. We are here for you and look forward to hearing from you about how we might support your needs as an educator.
Please share our newsletter far and wide!
The 2025 General Assembly considered multiple bills addressing issues affecting Early Childhood and K-12 education. This legislative update covers bills affecting public education that have been signed into law.
To further assist you with understanding these laws, VDOE has prepared implementation summaries that explain actions needed and how each law affects school divisions, students, and parents.
New summaries will be released each week in the Virginia Education Update and on VDOE’s website. Check out the VDOE Legislative Update webpage HERE.
Registration closes June 2, 2025!
Questions? Contact Melinda Bright, mbright@veanea.org
To learn more about National Board Certification, visit our website or go to www.nbpts.org.
Anti-Doxxing Resource: In this climate where public attacks against teachers on social media can go viral, members should take measures to secure their online presence and social media. It’s important to be ready before any potential doxxing takes place. Follow these steps to prepare yourself.
NEW! Podcast: A Lawyer Explains: “DEI” and Anti-Equity Policies in Schools
The Trump administration is waging war against diversity, equity, and inclusion. But what does that mean for educators when it comes to discussing race, equity, and history in the classroom? How can schools continue to foster inclusive learning environments despite these restrictions? Alice O’Brien, general counsel for the National Education Association, walks through your rights, risks, and opportunities for to push back against anti-equality policies and fear tactics.
The work of the Department of Teaching and Learning extends out of headquarters and works directly with members. This month, we will be featuring one of our scholarship winners:
Name: Linda Le
Local: SVEA-AE at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
Role(s) that you have completed with VEA: President & Vice President of SVEA at VCU
# of years in education: Student member getting her MT in Science Education
# of years in VEA: 1
How has being a union member helped you? Being a member of VEA/SVEA has been an incredibly empowering experience. It’s given me a strong sense of community and support as I work toward becoming an educator. Through SVEA, I’ve had access to valuable professional development opportunities, resources on classroom management and equity, and a network of like-minded peers and mentors who are passionate about education.
As an aspiring educator, it’s reassuring to know I have an organization advocating for my rights, my profession, and public education as a whole. It helped me feel more prepared to enter the classroom–not just as a teacher, but as a confident and informed professional.
If you could give 1 piece of advice to someone in education, what would it be? Don’t wait for permission to advocate–your voice *is* the permission. Whether you’re standing up for your students, your colleagues, or yourself, advocacy starts with the courage to speak up when something isn’t right. Know your values, learn your rights, and use your position–whatever it may be–to push for equity, access, and respect. Even small acts of advocacy, like challenging a biased policy or amplifying a quiet student’s voice, can create ripple effects that change systems. Be bold. Be informed. And never underestimate the power of speaking truth in spaces that need it.
According to a poll conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University, 66% of Virginians say public schools do not have enough funding to meet their needs.
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