Greetings from NCVPS!
We are delighted to share our June Advisory Council Newsletter, filled with updates on our latest initiatives and programs! In this edition, you will find information on our synchronous learning program, the new helpdesk, student recognitions, district and school outreach, and teacher achievements, and professional development opportunities.
As a reminder, our ESSER III funded Summer School 2024 starts on June 25. The State Board of Education approved $1,350,000 in ESSER III funding for the NCVPS summer school program. We are still enrolling and encourage PSUs to take advantage of this incredible opportunity! Please share with your stakeholder groups!
Additionally, in the 24-25 academic year, NCVPS will have a full middle school catalog with the addition of 6th grade core courses in English Language Arts, science, and social studies. We are excited to expand our middle school programming to serve even more students, schools, and districts.
We look forward to seeing you at our Advisory Council meeting on July 9, 2024. Our collective efforts are paving the way for impactful educational experiences, and we are enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead. Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. We look forward to your feedback and insights.
With appreciation and gratitude,
Mia
NCVPS In Real Time (IRT) Offerings Expanded
In-Real Time (IRT) is the synchronous class delivery program for North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS). The program model is a whole-class, middle school course, with required synchronous sessions with a NCVPS teacher. The IRT pilot for 8th-grade core instruction began in the Fall 2023 with selected schools. Course offerings were in 8th Grade ELA, Math, Social Studies, and Science. Currently, these course offerings have now been expanded to the 7th grade for the 2024-2025 academic year as a pilot for this grade level.
Additionally, IRT will continue to be offered for 8th grade in all core content areas for the 2024-2025 academic year through our catalog. MIddle school and high school Math 1 courses have been added as course offerings for the program. This program is designed to support instruction by providing a certified NCVPS teacher to work alongside a substitute or beginning teacher to provide quality instruction for students. For more information about the program, please complete this interest form. Please share with your stakeholders.
We will be hosting informational webinars on June 5th at 10 a.m. and June 6th at 2 p.m. To attend, please register for one of the events here:
Learn more about our IRT program in this video:
New, More Streamlined Helpdesk Implemented!
Need assistance? Our upgraded Virtual Support Center, powered by osTicket, is here to help! With no account, logins, or passwords required, osTicket makes managing your support needs a breeze. Our dedicated team is ready to provide top-notch service through our new, easy-to-use platform. The simplified process ensures you can easily submit and track your support requests. Access us at support.ncvps.org for all your help desk needs. Experience streamlined support like never before!
NCVPS ELA Training Module
NCVPS has a self-paced, 6-part E-Learning Advisor Orientation for those new to the role, or wanting a reference guide. Registration, grading, testing, best practices, support, and printable guides are included.
The training is hosted in Canvas and can be accessed with this ELA Orientation link. Feel free to share the link with your colleagues or staff!
Meet Super Student Ivan P! Ivan writes, “Online courses have advanced my education by so much, just from the fact that they’re there. These online courses allow for a consistent learning environment, and I believe that it’s a great step towards pursuing equal access for education to as many people as possible. From my personal experience, taking online courses has allowed me to indulge in interests I wouldn’t otherwise have had access to. Online courses have also taught me how to learn more independently than I do in a classroom. While I do enjoy the classes I take in-person and being alongside my peers as I learn, I also enjoy learning about other subjects at my own pace within an online learning environment.” - Ivan P.
Meet Super Student Jagruthi H! Jagruthi writes,“Before NCVPS, I had never taken an online class (excluding COVID). It was a significantly different experience from attending classes in person. Despite the class and the teacher being extremely supportive, especially during final exam prep (shoutout to Ms. Pfeffer – Best Python teacher ever!), I felt somewhat isolated because I didn’t have daily interactions with my teacher or classmates like in traditional school settings. However, the class taught me a lot about time management because I had to allocate time throughout the week to complete assignments in addition to my full schedule at school. It instilled confidence in me that I could handle coursework outside of school, motivating me to enroll in a substantial number of dual enrollment classes online.” – Jagruthi H.
Read more about Ivan, Jagruthi, and all our Super Students on our Super Students page.
NCVPS Student Eduardo L Wins 3 Prizes in Language Contest
NCVPS Student Eduardo L won 3 out of 6 prize levels for the Japanese category in the Western Carolina University High School World Languages Contest. Eduardo won 1st prize in Level 2 Japanese Conversation, 1st place in Japanese Poetry, and 2nd place in Japanese MTG (Massive Trivia Game). The contest is open to High School students taking Spanish, French, or Japanese in the Carolinas and North Georgia. Middle School students taking a high school level course may also compete. Congratulations, Eduardo!
NCVPS Teacher of the Year Featured
Rob Leichner, the 2023-24 North Carolina Virtual Public Schools (NCVPS) Teacher of the Year, has made significant contributions to the field of education through his innovative approaches to teaching math online. With nearly 20 years of experience, Rob is recognized for his dedication to promoting higher-level thinking and mastery of standards among his students. Recently, Rob wrote an article featured in the February 2024 issue of "Standards in Practice," where he underscores the importance of strong instruction and authentic feedback in online learning environments. Rob advocates for methods that encourage critical thinking, productive struggle, and meaningful learner engagement, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed and excel in their educational journey. His commitment to excellence and his belief that "We Are ALL Math People" inspire both educators and students alike. Thank you for representing NCVPS and the community of online teaching and learning, Rob!
NCVPS Teacher Featured Panelist at NCCSS
NCVPS Teacher Dan Roseman was a panelist for a Roundtable Discussion about the Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) course at the 2024 NC Council for the Social Studies Conference in Greensboro. Educators from across North Carolina came together for an engaging and insightful session, where panelists shared their wealth of knowledge and experiences in Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) education. Dan teaches EPF, history, and psychology for NCVPS and is also the SS District Leader for Region 6 - Iredell-Statesville Schools. Dan is pictured (center) above.
NCVPS Teacher Selected as FFA Ambassador
NCVPS Animal Science teacher Christopher Hicks was selected as the Lakewood National FFA Teacher Ambassador. The National FFA Teacher Ambassadors program provides teachers with the tools to share information about FFA and agricultural education. Teachers selected for the program receive intensive training in June to learn and collaborate on educational resources. Congratulations Christopher!
NCVPS presents at CoSN and QM Conferences
NCVPS Instructional Designer Dr. Chris Smith was busy in April with two conference presentations. He was in Miami, Florida April 9th to present “Crafting the Perfect Blend: AI, OER, and Online Learning” at The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) conference. CoSN’s Mission is to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their teams, and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Dr. Smith also presented 2 sessions on April 12th at a Quality Matters half-day Online Conference called Q-Up for Digital Quality. His sessions were titled: “Access Denied: The Human Impact of Non-Accessible Content and What Administrators Need to Know,” and “On the Outside Looking In: Student Equity and Accessibility Experiences in the Secondary Classroom.”
NCTSA - NC Technology Student Association Conference
NCVPS staff attended and were exhibitors at the North Carolina Technology Student Association's 45th Annual State Conference April 18th-20th, 2024 at the Sheraton Four Seasons Greensboro. NCVPS Instructional Director Ellen Hart participated as a judge for the Future Technology and Engineering Teacher event, in which students developed and presented teacher lesson plans from assigned topics. The North Carolina Technology Student Association is a prestigious national organization dedicated to nurturing expertise in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business education. TSA is passionately committed to fostering leadership, academic excellence, and adept business management abilities among both students and community leaders in the ever-evolving workplace.
2024 THRIVE National Homeschool Conference
NCVPS Staff attended, presented, and were vendors at the 2024 THRIVE National Homeschool Conference held May 23rd through 25th in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We had the added surprise of seeing NCVPS teacher and homeschool mom Kellie Chaney in attendance! The event features keynote speakers, a vendor hall, student activities, a college fair and regional gatherings for North Carolina homeschool families.
Animazement 2024
NCVPS Staff attended and were vendors at the 2024 Animazement conference in Raleigh May 24-25. We were pleasantly surprised by visits from several NCVPS World Language teachers: Kayoko Green (Japanese Coach), Sarah Boutin (Japanese Coach), and Shara Packman (Latin Teacher). Animazement is Raleigh's premiere Japanese animation and culture convention. The event featured concerts, educational panels, and unique artwork.
Quality Matters Update
NCVPS continues to lead the nation in the highest number of courses certified by Quality Matters in K12. We have 84 courses certified with several courses up for recertification as well as a few new courses. Stay up to date by viewing our list of QM courses on the NCVPS website.
Summer Digital Transition Sessions for Educators
June 26, 2024, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Depths of Knowledge: Math and Beyond
Presenter: Robin Frost
Target Audience: Math Teachers; All Are Welcome!
CEU Credit Type: Math, General, or Digital Learning
Register for June 26th at 6:30 PM
June 27, 2024, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
AI SERIES: Part I: Setting Clear Expectations on Using AI
Presenter: Brian Harrison
Target Audience: All Are Welcome!
CEU Credit Type: Business, General, or Digital Learning
Register for June 27th at 1:00 PM
July 8, 2024, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
AI SERIES: Part II: Setting Clear Expectations on Using AI
Presenter: Brian Harrison
Target Audience: All Are Welcome!
CEU Credit Type: Business, General, or Digital Learning
Register for July 8th at 1:00 PM
July 9, 2024, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Unlocking Potential: The World of Twice-Exceptional Students
Presenter: Robin Frost
Target Audience: All Are Welcome!
CEU Credit Type: General
Register for July 9th at 6:30 PM
July 10, 2024, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Incorporating Literacy into CTE Courses
Presenter: Allison O'Dell
Target Audience: CTE Teachers; All Are Welcome!
CEU Credit Type: CTE and General
Register for July 10th at 6:00 PM
July 16, 2024, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Building Bridges: Team and Turf Dynamics
Presenter: Robin Frost
Target Audience: All Are Welcome!
CEU Credit Type: General
Register for July 16th at 6:30 PM
July 22, 2024, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
AI SERIES: Part I: Ways to Build Assignments in AI
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Presenter: Brian Harrison
Target Audience: All Are Welcome!
CEU Credit Type: Business, General, or Digital Learning
Register for July 22nd at 1:00 PM
July 24, 2024, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Mitigating Staff Burnout
Presenter: Allison O'Dell
Target Audience: All Are Welcome!
CEU Credit Type: General
Register for July 24th at 6:00 PM
July 31, 2024, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
The Importance of Social & Emotional Learning in Education
Presenter: Allison O'Dell
Target Audience: All Are Welcome!
CEU Credit Type: General
Register for July 31st at 6:00 PM
August 1, 2024, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
AI SERIES: Part II: Ways to Build Assignments in AI
Presenter: Brian Harrison
Target Audience: All Are Welcome!
CEU Credit Type: Business, General, or Digital Learning
Register for August 1st at 1:00 PM
August 6, 2024, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
The Power of Radical Candor: Transforming CommunicationPresenter: Robin Frost
Target Audience: All Are Welcome!
CEU Credit Type: General
Register for August 6th at 6:30 PM
August 7, 2024, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Accountability in Online Learning for Students
Presenter: Allison O'Dell
Target Audience: All Are Welcome!
CEU Credit Type: General
