#VAis4Learners Innovation Network
Monthly Cohort Update - August 2021
Welcome to VaLIN 3.0!
It is with great excitement and anticipation that we launch VaLIN 3.0 with a new cohort of teams joining our collaborative for the 2021-22 school year. Keep reading for the list of this year's Innovation Teams, which for the first time also includes membership from participants in Cohorts 1 and 2. Welcome (and in some cases, welcome back) to the team!
In 2020-21, divisions from across Virginia accepted the formidable challenge of innovation in the face of a pandemic response, and made great strides as they adhered to the mantra exemplified by VaLIN's efforts: Small steps. Big change. Deeper learning, together. In the year to come, we hope that division teams can leverage the learning that these teams experienced so as to accelerate their own learning, and by extension the learning across the Commonwealth.
Since its inception, the work of VaLIN is truly grounded in a “what if” design process to make a difference in the lives of young people. We recognize that each division within our extended network may be in different places, but we also know that each of you believe that school communities can create pathways to a bright future for each learner we serve. This transformation does not happen by chance. It happens because of leadership. We thank you for being a part of this network of leaders, and for bringing insights to change from a continuum of vantage points.
All the best to each of you and the learners you serve as we begin our small steps toward big change in 2021-22!
VaLIN Cohort 2 Artifact Collection
This website serves as the 'culminating artifact' of Cohort 2's journey, organizing these stories of innovation around their shared catalysts of change inspired by the WSCB Innovation Playlist. Paired with those of division participants in VaLIN Cohort 1, we hope that future cohorts can learn from these innovations to support their own local efforts such these 'Small Steps to Big Change' can inspire learning across the Commonwealth and beyond.
Meet Participating Divisions of VaLIN Cohort 3.0
Amherst County Public Schools
Chesapeake Public Schools
Chesterfield County Public Schools
Cumberland County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools
Fluvanna County Public Schools
Fredericksburg City Public Schools
Greene County Public Schools
Henrico County Public Schools
Hopewell City Public Schools
Isle of Wight County Schools
Lunenburg County Public Schools
Manassas Park City Schools
New Kent County Public Schools
Newport News Public Schools
Orange County Public Schools
Powhatan County Public Schools
Prince Edward County Public Schools
Roanoke County Public Schools
Rockingham County Public Schools
Salem City Schools
Stafford County Public Schools
Suffolk Public Schools
Surry County Public Schools
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Winchester County Schools
VaLIN Cohorts 1 and 2
SAVE THE DATE - Cohort 3.0 Launch, October 7-8, 2021
We look forward to uniting Cohort 3 Lead Innovation Team members at the VaLIN 3.0 Launch on October 7-8, 2021. Barring unforeseen circumstances associated with COVID-19, we will convene face-to-face at the Hull Center in Chesterfield County Public Schools. While we have come to appreciate virtual connectivity in the past 15 months, convening together onsite sets up informal relationships and cross-pollination of ideas that make virtual collaboration easier.
Cohort 3.0 teams also will strategically prioritize and advance local goals that align with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate through one or more of the following themes:
- Mobilizing Community to work collaboratively toward a shared goal;
- Student-Driven Learning that developing and sustaining equitable student agency;
- Real-World Challenges that lead to innovative, intrinsically motivated problem-solvers;
- Authentic Assessments that both capture higher-order and consequential learning; and
- Caring and Connected Community that extend powerful practices essential to building social-emotional competencies and inclusive, equity-driven communities;
Expect more specific information outlining the agenda and additional details for this kickoff institute in the weeks leading up to the event. In the interim, feel free to refer to this FAQ collection for more information.
About Advanced Learning Partnerships
Email: ALP@advancedpartnerships.com
Website: http://alplearn.com
Twitter: @alplearn