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Board reviews strategic-plan action items: new teacher academy, career spotlights and Project PEACE
Summary
Superintendent and instructional staff detailed priorities including a new teacher academy to boost retention, expanded career/CTE spotlights, newcomer supports and Project PEACE partnership with VCU to expand employment pathways for students with disabilities.
Superintendent (Speaker 2) and the office of instructional services outlined the district's strategic-plan action items and early progress for the school year, highlighting several initiatives the board had prioritized last October.
The superintendent reviewed summer work and fall plans: a new teacher academy led by Tabitha Strickler to provide monthly workshops and classroom-management support for newly hired teachers; updates to the division curriculum and tiered instruction to address achievement gaps; the GoTech program and career-spotlight events to connect students with local jobs; and a Creative Parent Advisory Team led by Doug Barefoot. "I think this will go a long way in helping us retain our teachers by providing that support," Speaker 2 said of the new teacher academy.
Officer of Instructional Services (Speaker 12) reported successful family-engagement events (CHPS on the Road), new teacher orientation, and Project PEACE: a partnership with the VCU Partnership for People with Disabilities to develop employment and entrepreneurship training and community work-based experiences for students with disabilities. Speaker 12 announced the next Project PEACE meeting for Monday, September 9 at 6 p.m.
Other items included plans for a keyboarding program at the elementary level, supports for DOE computer standards, Spanish translation services (Kayla Diaz hired), newcomer-class supports, and possible extracurricular expansions (esports, competitive robotics) pending grant funding.
Why it matters: These actions are intended to improve teacher retention, align curriculum with state standards, expand career pathways and support students with disabilities with employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Next steps: Several items are in implementation or planning stages (teacher academy workshops, tech summit and grant applications). Project PEACE and related partnerships will continue with follow-up meetings and PD.
