Angela Byrd-Wright, Ed.D.

Removing non-academic barriers is a critical piece of the puzzle when working to support students! Grateful for our partners coming to share helpful strategies, tools, and research to ensure all students are successful!

Alex Javna, School Social Work Specialist (VDOE) engages our educators in discussions about developing strategies aimed at improving attendance and student engagement during our ELN Convening!

To celebrate the Declaration's upcoming 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, Monticello is proud to launch Declaration Book Club. Explore the Declaration with readings, videos and guided questions. Join us at monticello.org/bookclub. #MonticelloBookClub @tjmonticello

Educators across the commonwealth recently participated in the Content Teaching Academy sponsored by VDOE and hosted annually on the campus of James Madison University. The CTA offers targeted and sustained professional learning on a wide range of topics. #ElevateEducatorsVA

🇺🇸 On This Day – June 29, 1776 Virginia made history as the first colony to declare itself an independent commonwealth and adopt a state constitution! Written primarily by George Mason, this groundbreaking document laid the foundation for self-governance and individual rights.

At our Convening, we had the pleasure to hear from award-winning fine arts educators, including @RecordingAcad winner Annie Ray, through the Elevating Excellence in Fine Arts Education Panel. Thank you Andy, Emily, Libya, Linda, and Scott for your expertise! @VDOE_News

We had a fantastic Fine Arts Summer Convening under the leadership of Kelly Bisogno, Fine Arts Coordinator, and Sherry Hatton, Fine Arts Specialist, with division leaders and specialists from across the Commonwealth! Thank you @vmfamuseum for hosting us. @VDOE_News

Make sure to check out information about our CLSD Grant as we are entering the next cycle: Article 2025-23-312 2025-2026 Competitive Comprehensive Literacy Grants – Year 1 Cohort Continuation Application and Year 2 Cohort Application – Applications due August 15!

The 2nd General Session is a discussion with the State Superintendent Emily Anne Gullickson. Interesting Fact: The State Superintendent has held a position on the VASSP Board since 1927.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 State Civics Bee! 👏 👏 👏 va250.org/2025/06/10/vir… 📷 Marshall Hoyle, A Marshall Art Photography @colonialsmburg @ @Colonial Williamsburg @USChamber @VDOE_News #CivicsBee #AmericaMadeinVirginia #VA250 #NationalCivicsBee

Educators and division leaders are encouraged to sign up for the VA 250 newsletter to stay up to date with all of the latest news and events across the commonwealth to celebrate Virginia’s 250th commemoration.  Check out the June 2025 edition here: ow.ly/AR8k50W3roo

Thank you to the Turner Ashby Chamber Choir from Rockingham County Schools for performing and sharing your joy and exceptional musical excellence at our recent board meeting. Here are student performers pictured with the State Board of Education and Superintendent Gullickson.

Check out the latest press release about our extraordinary students that participated in the Expressions of Freedom Contest! @VARevolution250 @VDOE_News doe.virginia.gov/Home/Component…

Happy #TeacherAppreciationWeek to our 2026 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year and to all teachers across the Commonwealth! Thank you for choosing a career of service as a teacher in Virginia! #ElevateEducatorsVA #TeacherAppreciationWeek

True partnerships can often be difficult to establish and maintain; not this one! I am so incredibly grateful for our partners @Standards_Work and all they do to support our VA English Learners Network.

School and Division teams are working hard to unpack some of the challenges they face as they support English learners. So many great conversations happening! @Hunt_Institute @VDOE_News

Jo-el Cox, Multilingual Learner Coordinator (VDOE), and Dr. Terri Conrad, The Hunt Institute, share structures and supports to retain and recruit great teachers! ⁦@DrMCWallace⁩ ⁦@VDOE_News⁩ ⁦@GullyoftheSun⁩

During our ELN Convening, Dr. Jennifer Blackwell, Director of Multilingual Learner Success, @RPS_Schools, shares research and practical applications of strategies to improve graduation rates for students. Students are making marked gains over the last 3 years!