VACTE Educator Circles: Conversations that Shape Practice 

VACTE Educator Circles are a virtual series designed to bring together stakeholders across Virginia to explore timely and transformative topics in teacher preparation and educational practice. Hosted by the Virginia Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (VACTE), these sessions foster collaborative dialogue, showcase innovative strategies, and spotlight real-world applications that are shaping the future of teaching and learning.

Each Educator Circle features:

  • Educator-led discussions on emerging trends and challenges

  • Practical insights from educators at colleges, universities, and preK-12 schools

  • Interactive sharing among participants to exchange ideas and experiences

  • Resources and strategies to support educators across settings

Whether you're a faculty member, administrator, or practitioner, Educator Circles offer a welcoming space to engage in meaningful conversations that elevate practice and inspire innovation. Sessions are open to all, and registration is free.

VACTE Educator Circles are open to any member of your organization who wishes to participate. You are welcome to share the registration information with colleagues who may be interested in attending. Please note that sessions are not recorded.

Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of education—one conversation at a time. A schedule of circles planned for 2026-27 will be forthcoming from the leadership team following their retreat in July.

Previous Educator Circles

Materials from previous sessions are available after the session. It is VACTE’s policy to not record the zoom sessions too to ensure the greatest degree of comfort including as many individual voices as possible. Please click the link below to download PDFs of the presentations and see an overview of previous sessions below.

Access Materials

Lesson Planning in the Era of HQIM

April 2026

Topics:

  • How institutions teach lesson planning

  • How candidates plan during their internship (student teaching) semester

  • What HQIM will mean for EPPs

  • Discussion and sharing:

    • Is the “traditional” method of lesson planning outdated?

    • How will EPPs meet the requirements of HB 2777?

    • Can we reframe what lesson planning means in teacher preparation?

Supplemental Readings:

Mentoring and Retaining New Teachers

February 2026

  • How we mentor recent graduates with the goal of supporting retention

  • How educator preparation programs can and do connect with school divisions around teacher retention

  • Discussion and sharing:

    • What challenges do mentors face when supporting new teachers, and how can schools help address these challenges?

    • How can teacher preparation programs better prepare candidates for the realities of mentorship in their first years of teaching?

    • How can higher education institutions collaborate with preK-12 schools to create a seamless transition from student teaching to full-time teaching?

    • How can communication between teacher preparation programs and school divisions be improved to support new teachers?

Supplemental Readings:

Blueprint 4 Bedford: Planning for Success in BCPS

February 2026

  • An overview of how Dr. Sherry Wiese and her team support new teachers and their ongoing development in Bedford County Public Schools

  • Please click HERE to view their website housing professional learning opportunities for teachers at different grade levels. The slideshow PDF is available by clicking the “Access materials” button above.

AI in Teacher Preparation

November 2025

  • AI and CAEP

  • AI in Practice at Educator Preparation Programs

  • Discussion and Sharing:

    • What are some classroom-ready tools or platforms that use AI and can enhance teaching and learning for preK–12 students?

    • How can AI be used to support differentiated instruction and personalized learning in preK–12 settings?

    • How can AI be used by teachers to create efficiencies and streamline their work?

Supplemental Readings: