Mission Statement
The mission of the Teacher Forum is to recognize teachers of the year; promote teacher leadership; provide teachers a channel for communication in all facets of educational issues; and partner with school administration, school board and lawmakers in progressive educational advancement.
What is the Teacher Forum?
Founded in January 1998, the Teacher Forum membership is composed of past and current Virginia Beach City Public Schools' Teachers of the Year. Chaired by the immediate past city-wide Teacher of the Year, the committee meets twice a year with the superintendent regarding division-wide issues. Members of the Teacher Forum take great pride in making a positive impact for the benefit of the school division staff and ultimately our student population.
Teacher Forum Initiatives
Teacher Job Shadowing: The Teacher Shadowing Program pairs a School Board member with a Teacher Forum Leadership Council (TFLC) member in order to provide a close-up look at the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of the teaching profession.
Tagged by the Superintendent Award: Each school year, two employees are identified from every school for having made a significant contribution or positive impact on others. The selected employees receive a Teacher Forum lanyard and a recognition letter from the superintendent.
I Make a Difference Award: Presented on a weekly basis, this award recognizes those individuals who make a difference in their schools. The first recipient chooses the next recipient, creating an on-going cycle of honoring staff members.
Teacher Forum Listserv: The Teacher Forum Listserv was created by and for teacher leaders to discuss issues relevant to education. This networking tool provides teachers the opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and be proactive in searching for methods to improve education.
Accomplishments
Since the Teacher Forum was founded seven years ago, great strides have been made to enhance the teaching profession. Accomplishments include:
- Assisted with the establishment of a permanent pool of substitute teachers for all schools.
- Assisted with the modification of progress reports for the primary grade levels and the revision
process for report cards. - Identified resource material for National Board Certification to be used by teachers seeking this certification.
"Teacher Forum has allowed me to develop my voice and extend a sense of leadership to other teachers in my building. Most importantly, my voice is much stronger because I am now informed and aware of the larger 'picture behind the policy.' I have learned to listen to all sides of an issue and speak to solutions."
Betsy Morris, Teacher
Princess Anne High School
How Does the Teacher Forum Operate?
The Teacher Forum Leadership Council is the governing body of the Teacher Forum. Members of the Leadership Council include past and present citywide teachers of the year and finalists. Members meet twice a month to identify specific issues for discussion and review by the superintendent. Biannual meetings are scheduled for all Teacher Forum members. At the beginning of each school year, new members are invited to attend a Teacher Forum Orientation. During the orientation, teachers receive an overview of the Teacher Forum and are encouraged to become active participants.
"The Board listens intently to the recommendations and suggestions of those teachers who have earned the professional respect of their colleagues in their schools by having been selected as Teacher of the Year."
Daniel D. Edwards
School Board Chairman
Benefits to Teachers
- Emphasizes professionalism and leadership.
- Expands teachers' vision beyond a single classroom in a particular building.
- Generates energy and ideas as concerned teachers seek ways to improve education.
- Increases knowledge of professional community, educational policy, and discipline-related knowledge.
"Teacher Forum offers master teachers across the division a focused venue through which they can share not only ideas and philosophies in teaching and learning but also explore practical applications and best practices. Forum members are models of professionalism and leadership. Each and every teacher of the year serves as a communicator of cutting edge theory and conduit of concrete change. Together, they exemplify all that is right with education."
James G. Merrill
Superintendent
Benefits to Administrators
- Provides the teachers' perspective on policy issues.
- Creates a strong sense of partnership among teachers, administrators, and policy makers.
- Gains teacher support of administrators through a broader understanding of total school operations
and management. - Promotes teacher utilization of current research for educational improvement.
"Possessing tremendous insight and enjoying extensive experience, our Teacher Forum members are an invaluable resource to both their colleagues and administrators alike. They continue to serve as the genesis for many new and exciting initiatives."
Brian K. Matney, Principal
Cox High School