What generations have come to understand as ‘school’ is under kinetic and accelerated transformation. It isn’t an exaggeration to say that in the coming weeks and months, we are united with our students, educators, and parents as co-authors of history.

As virtual learning networks activate and expand, many educators lead with selflessness, innovation, and courage. It’s both humbling as well as deeply inspiring to observe our profession catalyze so much positive movement while our country and world adapt.

Our message today is simple and sincere: we stand ready to serve as trusted, flexible partners around needs and on a timeline that matters most to you. Thank you for your commitment to making history, one decision at a time. Please let us know how we can assist in any way, small or large.

Click to reveal a collection of tweets shared during the two-day launch experience for the 2nd cohort of the Virginia is for Learners Innovation Network (#VaLIN) on March 2-3, 2020, at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center.

When: April 2, 2020, 7:00-8:00 PM

Where: This is an Online Event. Log onto Twitter and search for #VaLINchat

Why

Now, more than ever, we need to connect with one another, learn from each other, commiserate and brainstorm.

What

#VaLINchat brings together all educational leaders across Virginia. Supported and moderated by the ALP team. For our first chat, the team will develop 6 questions, which will be shared ahead of time. (see below)

How

On Thursday at 7:00PM log onto Twitter and search for #VaLINchat.

The moderators will post the questions, but feel free to jump right in with an introduction.

Questions:

Introductions: State your name, role, division and what brings you to our chat tonight.

1. Share some inspiring examples of educators in your community rising to current challenges.
   
2. We know how important it is to attend to our social-emotional needs right now. What’s one way you are prioritizing Maslow over Bloom? For yourself? For those you serve?
   
3. Who or what are your go-to resources right now? Share links if you can.
   
4. What’s your biggest challenge right now? Pen the title of a resource you need but don’t yet have.
   
5. If your time were a pie chart, where are you spending the bulk of your time? (what are the biggest pieces in your pie?)
   
6. What do you want to focus on next week/in future chats?

End with ONE WORD

Design Challenge: How might we set up a week of student learning? Educators are working around the clock to design meaningful experiences that engage students whether online or off. VaLIN district team members are invited to a Zoom session on Tuesday, April 7th at 10:00 AM to explore one model for instructional design along with numerous SOL-aligned resources that were developed using this process. Although not a requirement for attendance, we hope all participants will bring a lesson to share with our network. Many hands make light work.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/638116469

Meeting ID: 638 116 469

One tap mobile
+16465588656,,638116469# US (New York)

This Twitter Moment captures but a small representation of the moments of 'innovation by necessity' by educators and school systems across the state of Virginia. What would you share from your own community? Tweet to #VaLIN to share with our teams.

The nonprofit Boundless is here to support VaLIN's innovative educators. We're planning some events for you very soon, including podcasts, online conferences, and other events with fellow educators designed to help you make the most of our current reality and continue the transformative work you've begun. We will consider the information shared in the above form. Please send specific questions or requests to:

Becky Ellis

Director of Education for Boundless

becky@goboundless.org.

ALP is a partner, designer, and agent of change. We move beyond the expert mindset and one-size-fits-all, quick fix solutions.

Email: ALP@advancedpartnerships.com
Website: http://alplearn.com
Twitter: @alplearn

Virginia is for Learners is an initiative of the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia School Consortium for Learning (VaSCL), and James Madison University with support from Ted Dintersmith. Coaching is provided by Advanced Learning Partnerships , Dr. Scott McLeod from the University of Colorado at Denver, and Kaleb Rashad from High Tech High Graduate School of Education.