June 2025

Welcome to Teaching and Learning TODAY. We encourage you to monitor this newsletter regularly and respond to those areas that interest you. We facilitate the development of professional learning by members, for members, and are grateful for the opportunity to do so. Allow us to assist you to learn, grow professionally, and impact others.

We wish you a safe, relaxing, and fun summer!

Updates from Teaching & Learning

VEA Learning Portal

Early Enrollment Training

Check out the Spring Early Enrollment Training hosted by VEA staff! This webinar is designed to teach local leaders how to help others join the Union using Join Now, know the benefits available to Early Enrollees, and understand the relationship between Early Enrollment and building power. Click here to view instructions on how to access the training.

To see these courses and more, check out the VEA Learning Portal! Access the VEA Learning Portal HERE. Feel free to bookmark this link.

If you have any trouble getting into the portal, please reach out to either Dr. Amber Brown, abrown@veanea.org, or Isabel Sullivan, isullivan@veanea.org

SVEA Aspiring Educators

Early Enrollment for SVEA-AE

Early enrollment is open for first-time Aspiring Educators to join early for the upcoming 2025-2026 membership year. Membership will start September 1, but liability coverage and access to NEA Member Benefits start the day you join. This is a great opportunity for students who will begin their student teaching assignments before September 1^st. Click here to join and choose the “2025-2026 Membership Year — Early Enrollment” option.

Current Aspiring Educators may renew their membership for the upcoming year too.

Special Education

From our friends at NEA

Disability Rights and Inclusion (DRI) Information, Resources

In 1975 and 1990, the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) respectively have protected and given access to millions of students and educators with disabilities. These crucial acts have allowed children with disabilities to have access to a free and appropriate public education. In advance of the 50th and 35th anniversaries of these acts — as well as an onslaught of attacks from the Trump administration on disability rights and inclusion, we are providing resources for our states to share with their locals.

For a list of additional resources you can share, click here.

Upcoming Opportunities

Free Professional Learning Opportunity for World Language Teachers

TOTAL PARTICIPATION TECHNIQUES: Making Every Student An Active Learner

Chesapeake Bay Environmental Literacy Educator Training

AI Ready RVA

Register for NEA’s Facilitated Classroom Management Series Online Blended Learning Courses

Virtual Book Study

June is Pride Month

Celebrate Pride Month with NEA! Throughout June, we will share resources to support LGBTQ students, educators, and families. Included are the: Educator Support for Transgender, Nonbinary and Intersex Students: Setting the Record Straight on the K-12 Schooling Executive Order; What Educators Should Know About LGBTQ+ Rights; What Educators Should Know About the Gender Identity Executive Order and LGBTQI+ Rights; and NEA LGBTQ+ Resources. Pride Month graphics are located in the Asset Library. Additionally, we will highlight stories featuring NEA members who are a part of the community, and share Reels created by member “influencers.” Join us as we demand safe and affirming schools where students can learn and educators can teach, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.
NEA WorldPride engagement page: org/worldpride.
NEA celebrates LGBTQ+ World Pride and marched in the parade on Saturday, June 7. Sign up and receive updates about NEA PRIDE resources to support your advocacy for inclusive schools!
NEA/Making Gay History Teaching Fellowship: We are thrilled to share the lessons created by NEA educators as part of the NEA/Making Gay History Teaching Fellowship. Sign up for their educator newsletter to learn more about the lessons and upcoming workshops for teaching LGBTQ+ history. https://makinggayhistory.org/lessons/
United for Pride with GLSEN: Check out GLSEN’s Resource Hub which has amazing assets for students, educators, and allies looking to support safer and more inclusive schools! You can also tell us what Pride means to you here!

Teaching Juneteenth and the Meaning of Freedom
Although Juneteenth is commemorated when most K-12 schools are on summer break, it remains a valuable part of our nation’s history. Educators can include Juneteenth lessons in their classroom with our curated list of background reading, lessons, and recommended book lists.

June Observances/Events

Pride Month
Older Americans Month
Gun Violence Awareness Month
World Pride Day
Teach Truth Day
Juneteenth 6/19

From our friends at VDOE

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage and History: A K-12 Teacher’s Toolkit Released
The toolkit was developed to integrate Asian American contributions, experiences, and histories in K–12 classrooms. The Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage and History: A K-12 Teacher’s Toolkit contains classroom activities and discussion prompts; grade level adaptations; printables; book and media recommendations; and opportunities to connect history to students’ lived experiences. All resources are free to use, adapt, and share. Read more from VDOE today!

To learn more about National Board Certification, visit our website or go to www.nbpts.org.

From our friends at NEA

Resist the Hustle and Grind Culture- How educators can use rest to recharge, cope, and flourish in the profession.

Podcast: Lawyers Explain: Anti-Immigrant Policies and Education

Schools are meant to be safe spaces for all students, but what happens when immigration enforcement reaches the classroom or college campus? Alice O’Brien and Lubna Alam from NEA’s legal team join the show to help educators navigate the complex legal waters of the Trump administration’s immigration policies and remind them of their rights to protect every student, regardless of immigration status.

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.

NEA-Retired: Once an educator, always an educator and the same goes for your union membership! A new video will introduce current members to NEA-Retired and welcome them into a new chapter in union membership. Members of NEA-Retired can stay connected and informed, advocate for educators and students, and secure lifetime access to NEA member benefits. The video is posted on the NEA-Retired join site and on NEA’s You Tube channel. The video was posted on You Tube on Friday, June 6 and will be accompanied by ads on Facebook and Instagram to reach potential members.

Who's Who in Teaching and Learning

Name: Carlisah Benbow

Local: SVEA-AE at Old Dominion University (ODU)

Role(s) that you have completed with VEA: President, Vice President, & Event Coordinator in ODU’s SVEA. SVEA State Board (25-26) Eastern Region Representative.

# of years in education: Student obtaining a B.S. in Elementary Education

# of years in VEA: 1

How has being a union member helped you? Becoming a member of the SVEA and the VEA has opened more doors than I ever imagined. I first joined SVEA after one of my professors encouraged me to attend a meeting. At the time, I thought it was just a campus club, but once I officially became a state member, I realized how vast and impactful the network truly is. Through conventions, conferences, scholarships, educator journals, advocacy updates, and professional development workshops, I’ve gained access to resources and opportunities that have shaped me as a future educator and aspiring school leader. I’ve connected with fellow students, veteran teachers, administrators, and education advocates who’ve offered insight, support, and inspiration. One moment that truly stood out was attending the Educators of Color Summit. It was incredibly empowering to be in a room full of passionate, like-minded individuals who looked like me and shared similar experiences. I walked away not only with new knowledge, but with a renewed sense of purpose. Being part of SVEA and VEA has helped me feel informed, supported, and seen. It’s given me a meaningful head start on my career in education.

If you could give 1 piece of advice to someone in education, what would it be? Keep exploring. Education is a multifaceted field, and there are so many ways to make an impact. Many of us grow up wanting to be classroom teachers, but there are countless opportunities in education that go beyond the classroom. You can work in administration, policy, curriculum development, leadership, or student support. Stay curious and open to learning about all the different paths available. Being part of VEA has shown me the value of building relationships and hearing from people in different roles. No matter what you choose, make sure it’s something you’re truly passionate about. Education is not always easy, and working with children and communities requires heart, resilience, and dedication. Surround yourself with a supportive network and don’t be afraid to grow and shift as you learn more. The journey is worth it.

The Latest from VEA

Teaching & Learning Today: June 2025