Region 5 Comprehensive Center

How can states recruit and retain high-quality, licensed teachers? First, they need to determine why there’s a shortage in the first place. Cue the West Virginia Educator Preparation Task Force! In this Impact Story, discover how the Region 5 team partnered with the West Virginia Department of Education and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission | Community & Technical College System to uncover West Virginia’s unique challenges and create innovative solutions. Learn about the bold effects of this collaboration and the journey that led to the Teacher Leadership Framework, Grow Your Own pathways, teacher residency programs, and the #TeachWV campaign. https://lnkd.in/gFvzZ9ip #WVEd

You might be wondering, how are Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia addressing needs and concerns when it comes to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom? Check out this blog post from Sarah McClusky and Annalee Jackson for a collection of policies, state-led engagement, and state guidance from each state educational agency. https://lnkd.in/e6YiVS9C

The State Seal of Biliteracy is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their biliteracy and multiliteracy skills! Check out this great infographic from The Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) and then explore our blog post series to dig a little deeper. All month long, we're featuring different perspectives, from students to educators, about the value of the Seal.

Anyone who has tried to learn a new language later in life knows how challenging it can be. Even learning in high school can feel like an uphill battle for some.   Caitlin Woodburn, a teacher in Tennessee, emphasizes the importance of bilingualism, biliteracy, and starting early. Learn how Caitlin helps her students work toward the State Seal of Biliteracy. (This blog post is also available in Spanish!) https://lnkd.in/e59t2gDA #bilingual #multilingualism

Did you know Kentucky offers 9 alternative routes to teacher certification? Hear from Byron Darnall, Associate Commissioner at the Kentucky Department of Education, to learn about current pathways, such as the Educators Rising program. https://lnkd.in/e65mxTP9

Let’s continue our talk about neurodivergent teachers. What kind of support is needed? What already exists? And how can we utilize existing systems? These questions are answered in our newest blog post from Annalee Jackson. https://lnkd.in/exHSticp #neurodivergent #neurodiversity

Are you familiar with the State Seal of Biliteracy? It adorns the diploma and recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. The seal honors multilingual learners, their dedication, and their potential for local and global relationships. With a goal to lift information and expand access, we’re proud to present a new interview-style series that captures the voices of students, families, educators, and grassroot organizations as they express their perspectives, hopes, and journey when it comes to fluency and the seal. Celebrate #HispanicHeritageMonth and check out this blog post, available in English and Spanish! https://lnkd.in/eJhr3e7j

As we near our 5-year anniversary, it’s safe to say, we’re wild for Region 5 and our Director, Kimberly Hambrick! This team of leaders, experts, and trivia champions is proud to serve Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. During a recent gathering, we explored our journey; the relationships built with education leaders, teachers, and students; and the collaborations that have led to meaningful projects and high-quality resources. One of our goals as a Regional Center is to build and strengthen the capacity of those we serve. We love thinking through the process and finding the most efficient solutions that are supported by data. Throughout these five years, we’ve gathered educators and professionals for Networked Improvement Communities, championed alternative paths to teacher licensure, highlighted the diversity of rural communities, explored strategic budgeting options for local educational agencies, and so much more. When you get to do work you love with your friends, it’s even more rewarding.

Governor Jim Justice has declared today, Sept. 16, 2024, as National GED Day in West Virginia. Today is meant to encourage all educators, employers, community leaders, friends, and families to celebrate the accomplishments of GED graduates! 🎓 🎉 Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/AdultEd1. #WVEd #WVAdultEd

How can state and local educational agencies better support neurodiverse educators? The second blog post in the series from Annalee Jackson focuses on 5 targeted actions that can be taken to better understand and support neurodiversity in schools. https://lnkd.in/eTppAsH5