A second section of the online English Language Learners Teacher Reading Academy has been added. Please login and select ELL Online II Teacher Reading Academy from your homepage to enroll.

Based on demand in the Richmond area (all sections of the Teacher Reading Academy in Richmond filled in three days!), an additional academy has been added. It will run concurrently with the Summer 2008 Richmond I TRA, August 5-8, and at the same site. Enrollment for this additional summer professional development opportunity, Richmond II, is now open!

Enrollment links for summer Teacher Reading Academies open on April 1 for Reading First teachers. Open enrollment for all other teachers in the state begins one week later, April 8. Summer events begin on June 16 with an academy taught through Old Dominion University, and continue through the summer until August 8th, when a K-3 academy in Richmond and a Special Education Academy in Wytheville end. Please check the list of summer offerings and plan accordingly if you have not taken advantage of these free professional development workshops provided by the state's Reading First funding.

We began the Winter/Spring Reading First academies in Williamsburg this past weekend. Enrollment was nearly full for both the regular ed and special ed academies. Here are some comments after the first Saturday:
"It was an excellent workshop. I look forward to returning on Feb 9th."
"I thought the time was well spent. It confirmed that I was doing all the right activities with my emergent readers. As a result of the class, I am going to test some of my 2nd graders on phonological awareness to make sure that is not the reason for their lack of progress."
"I was a bit nervous that the Academy would put me "over my head" with reading jargon. However, I found it to be just what I was looking for, in a setting that allows me to learn from teacher colleagues as well as the presenters. I am so very happy that I am a part of this."

The Saturday format continues through March. If you have not yet enrolled in one of our FREE professional development workshops, please take advantage of the possibility this summer and next year. Academy attendance gives you access to follow-up workshops on specific topics and a graduate course.

The Reading First in Virginia professional development office will bring the Phonological Awareness workshop to southwest Virginia on Saturday, March 1st. Meeting in Wytheville at the beautiful convention center there, 100 teachers will be able to work with grant researchers on best practices for K children who are just beginning to develop as readers. This is the first workshop of our series; please check the Events page (inside your own account) for more complete information

Please download the pdf flyer for more specific information. Announcing SUMMER 2008 Teacher Reading Academies!!

In summer 2008, five K-3 Teacher Reading Academies are scheduled in addition to two academies for special educators, grades 4-12. Please see the full list for continuing updates as plans are firmed up. Enrollment for these events will open on April 1st for RF schools and on April 15, for all others.

Newport News is hosting two academies this spring as part of their TAG grant (Targeted Assistance Grant). This grant provides extra money for professional development for teachers in the district. Enrollment is open to teachers in Newport News schools ONLY until January 3. On January 4, enrollment will open to the rest of the state. There are still seats left. Please create an account on the website and look for Newport News in the Events line-up. The Saturday academies will run January 26, February 9, 23, and March 8 at the Woodlands Hotel & Suites in Williamsburg, VA.

The Comprehension and Vocabulary Workshop will be held in the Richmond area on January 26, 2008. Workshop presenter is Dr. Kevin Flanigan, returning for his seventh visit to our state. Enrollment is open now, with seats remaining, through the website - please log-on and go to the Events Page. Please download the flyer for more specific information.

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Fluency and Phonics Workshop will be offered in Virginia Beach on Saturday, January 12th, 2008. Teachers who enroll will deepen their understanding of the relationship between phonics/ease of reading and fluency. There is no charge for the workshop but you must have attended a Reading First Teacher Reading Academy in order to be able to enroll. The workshop will be held at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center. For more information, please click here to access the flyer in PDF format. Enrollment opens on November 1st for Reading First teachers and November 8 for all others.

WINTER/SPRING ACADEMIES

Enrollment for winter/spring Reading First Teacher Reading Academies will open on November 1st. Teachers in Reading First schools have the first opportunity to enroll; all other state teachers may enroll beginning November 8th. The enrollment period closes on January 19th, 2008.

Special Ed Academy: January 26 - March 8
K-3 On-line Academies: February 4 - April 16
ELL On-Line Academy: February 4 - April 16

Please create an account on the website so you are ready for the enrollment period. Thank you.

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