Teaching & Learning Today: August 2025
August 19, 2025
August 19, 2025
August is here, and you’re stepping back into school with fresh energy and renewed purpose. Whether you’re setting up classrooms, mapping new bus routes, planning nutritious meals, or ensuring safe and welcoming spaces, you are the heart of what makes education work.
In times when public education faces unprecedented challenges, you continue to demonstrate what truly matters: showing up for students every single day. Your expertise and unwavering commitment to young people speak volumes, and you are living proof of the strength and value of public education.
Teaching and Learning TODAY exists to serve you. Browse this month’s resources, connect with professional learning opportunities that fit your needs, and share what’s working with fellow members. Our member-driven approach to professional learning means your voice and experiences guide what we offer.
Thank you for choosing to serve Virginia’s students and communities. Your work matters, your voice matters, and VEA and our Department of Teaching and Learning is proud to support you!
To support school divisions’ continued implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA), VDOE has released an extensive update on the VLA. In this edition of the Literacy Update, there is information regarding VLA and VALLSS 4-8 implementation for next school year.
Superintendents are asked to share these resources with key literacy staff and elementary and middle school principals.
To learn more about National Board Certification, visit our website or go to www.nbpts.org.
The work of the Department of Teaching and Learning extends out of headquarters and works directly with members. This month, we will be featuring our NBCT Jumpstart Facilitators:
The National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) Jumpstart Program is an intensive, collaborative workshop designed to help educators begin their journey toward National Board Certification—a rigorous, voluntary process that recognizes accomplished teaching. Jumpstart provides guidance, resources, and peer support to help candidates understand the standards, navigate the certification components, and reflect deeply on their practice. Participating in events like Jumpstart not only strengthens an educator’s portfolio but also fosters professional growth, elevates instructional practice, and contributes to student success.
On June 26-28, 2025, the pictured facilitators guided participants through certificate requirements and foundational elements of the certification process, providing essential tips and strategies.
Pictured L to R: Delrose Adkinson, Stephanie Harry, Kristian Ellingsen, Ms. King, Dr. Sherry Harrell
NEA has upgraded the Certification Bank platform, and you can now access an improved experience while pursuing NEA micro-credentials.
As part of this update, all Certification Bank users need to update their passwords on the platform. If you have not yet done so this month, please go to the login page of the Certification Bank and follow the Forgot Password link to complete this process.
Since this upgrade launched earlier this month, a small number of users have had difficulty with the password reset process; if you encounter challenges getting your password updated, please email NEA at micro-credentials@nea.org and they will help you get access to the Certification Bank.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, teachers in Virginia earn 67 cents on the dollar compared to other (non-teacher) college-educated workers. Virginia’s teacher wage penalty is the worst in the nation.
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