VATLL Annual Conference: Full Schedule

10:10am EST

Interdisciplinary Project Based Learning in High School? It is Possible!

Wednesday December 2, 2026 10:10am - 11:20am EST

Interdisciplinary teaching is rare in the siloed world of high school, but what if we could design project-based learning experiences that robustly address multiple disciplines' standards while infusing authenticity, fostering collaboration, and sparking joy? Join two teacher teams - one ninth-grade and one tenth-grade - to learn how they took on this challenge and what their results have demonstrated about the promise of project-based learning in a standards-based world.

Speakers

Kristina Doubet

Professor/Curriculum Coordinator for Lab School, James Madison University/Rockingham County Public Schools* *I will have 4 RCPS teachers with me, but that won't be finalized until August.

Kristina Doubet is a former middle and high school English teacher, as well as an instructional coach and consultant working with teachers in their classrooms to support professional learning around the topics of differentiation and assessment. She is currently a professor in the... Read More →

Wednesday December 2, 2026 10:10am - 11:20am EST
Tidewater C

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11:40am EST

Getting from Good to Great: Leveraging Short-Term Coaching Cycles for Student Achievement

Wednesday December 2, 2026 11:40am - 12:50pm EST

Tidewater C

Short-term content coaching cycles with grade-level teams are a powerful tool to boost educator effectiveness, student achievement, and collective teacher efficacy. This session highlights the partnership between Prince Edward County Schools and TNTP through the Comprehensive State Literacy Development (CLSD) grant, leveraging the TNTP Good to Great Coaching Model. Participants will explore the design, data-driven execution, and impact of these high-leverage literacy cycles, moving beyond theory to actively plan and launch short-term content coaching within their own school or divisions.

Speakers

Stephanie Fuhs

Director, Academics, TNTP

Stephanie Fuhs is a Director at TNTP, specializing in instructional coaching and literacy implementation at the school, district, and state levels. Her work includes supporting systems in adopting and sustaining high-quality literacy practices through strategic planning, capacity... Read More →

Wednesday December 2, 2026 11:40am - 12:50pm EST
Tidewater C

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1:50pm EST

Hit the Jackpot: Enhancing the Learning Environment

Wednesday December 2, 2026 1:50pm - 3:00pm EST

Tidewater C

Get ready to roll the dice and “hit the jackpot” in this high-energy, Vegas-themed session where learning and luck go hand in hand! Through an interactive game, participants will explore how environment and culture impact student success. By following a student’s daily experiences, attendees will analyze brain-based strategies, select interventions, and bet on outcomes. Discover how intentional changes can improve student regulation, increase engagement, and drive academic achievement.

Speakers

Ebony Cherry

Assistant Principal, Virginia Beach City Public Schools

With nearly two decades of educational experience, Ebony Cherry has cultivated a wealth of knowledge and experience. One that consistently demonstrates a commitment to academic excellence, student development, and community engagement. Knowing what it feels like to be in a dark place... Read More →

Wednesday December 2, 2026 1:50pm - 3:00pm EST
Tidewater C

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8:15am EST

Unlock the Power of eMediaVA: Free SOL-Aligned Resources for Every Classroom

Thursday December 3, 2026 8:15am - 9:25am EST

Tidewater C

Join educators from WHRO Public Media to explore eMediaVA, Virginia’s free, premiere digital content library, designed to support SOL-aligned instruction across all grade levels and subject areas. Participants will learn how to effectively navigate eMediaVA, discover high-quality resources, and integrate ready-to-use media into lessons. Walk away with resources to enhance instruction and engage students.

Speakers

Alice Agnew

Manager of Education Resources, eMediaVA/WHRO

Alice Agnew is the Manager of Education Resources at WHRO, where she support educators by promoting high-quality, Virginia SOL-aligned instructional resources through eMediaVA. Their work is focused on connecting educators with engaging, accessible, and free digital resources that... Read More →

Thursday December 3, 2026 8:15am - 9:25am EST
Tidewater C

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9:45am EST

From Mission to Exhibition: Signature Projects that Make Learning Visible

Thursday December 3, 2026 9:45am - 10:55am EST

Tidewater C

How do we move beyond engaging projects to learning experiences where students clearly demonstrate what they know, how they think, and why their work matters? This session highlights the Aerospace Academy of the Eastern Shore (AAES), Virginia's first aerospace-focused College Partnership Lab School, where students from multiple public school divisions are selected through a lottery system. Grounded in Visible Learning and authentic workforce experiences, AAES developed a Signature Project Framework that immersed students in engineering design, scientific investigation, technical writing, collaboration, prototype development, and public exhibition. Participants will explore the instructional design process, assessment strategies, and implementation lessons before beginning to design their own Signature Project.

Speakers

Rachel Sparks White

Director, ODU Aerospace Academy of the Eastern Shore VA Lab School, Old Dominion University, Accomack County Public Schools, Northampton County Public Schools, Eastern Shore Community Coll

Dr. Rachel S. White is the Director of the Aerospace Academy of the Eastern Shore (AAES), Virginia's innovative College Partnership Lab School led by Old Dominion University. She works at the intersection of K–12 education, higher education, industry, and government to design authentic... Read More →

Thursday December 3, 2026 9:45am - 10:55am EST
Tidewater C

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VATLL Annual Conference

10:10am EST

Kristina Doubet

11:40am EST

Stephanie Fuhs

1:50pm EST

Ebony Cherry

8:15am EST

Alice Agnew

9:45am EST

Rachel Sparks White

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