Support for Teachers is Always Available at VBCPS
Virginia Beach City Public Schools always provides teachers with a large amount of support to help them expand their knowledge and skills in an effort to maintain the highest professional standards they can achieve during every phase of a teaching career.
The school division recently established a Center for Teacher Leadership (CTL). Operating under the auspices of the Department of Educational Leadership and Assessment (formerly the Department of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment), CTL will play an important role in transforming professional learning in Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
The Center for Teacher Leadership (CTL) comprises ten teacher leaders who are charged with designing professional learning by teachers for teachers that is research-based, innovative, and job-embedded. It will work collaboratively with departments and schools to implement effective practices related to instruction and assessment in support of the strategic plan.
The CTL team of teacher leaders along with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction will offer teachers a professional learning program that is relevant to daily teaching practices; increases teachers’ capacity to deliver high-quality instruction and assessment in all classrooms; offer opportunities for teachers to learn from one another through collaboration; and provides strategies to assist teachers in improving levels of student achievement.
Another support for new teachers is the division’s mentorship program that pairs new teachers with seasoned professionals who provide new teachers with the support, help and advice they will need to navigate and celebrate every situation they will encounter during that special first year of teaching.
After becoming a part of the teacher force in the school division, educators are required to participate in the Professional Learning Program. The program offers a series of learning opportunities during the school year and summer that are related to curriculum for their grade level; classroom management; student relationships; new technological advances; and many other topics. Opportunities for new teachers will be differentiated according to their unique needs.
Throughout the year, to support continuous learning and professional growth, teachers have opportunities to attend conferences, workshops and courses offered within their schools, division-wide locations and at venues within the state and across the country.
