Student VEA

2012 SVEA CONVENTION

2012-02-10T09:17:00.001-08:00

MARCH 23-24, 2012

THE WILLIAMSBURG HOSPITALITY HOUSE

2012-02-10T09:17:00.000-08:00

How House Bill 576 & Senate Bill 438, Currently Before the State Legislature, Will Impact Virginia’s Future Teachers

This year identical bills have been introduced in Virginia’s state legislature that will impact Virginia’s future teachers.

The following is a brief explanation to share with pre-service teachers and colleagues so that students and professors can contact their state legislators and ask them to oppose these bills.

The McDonnell Administration wants to eliminate continuing contract for teachers completely but faces constitutional difficulties. Therefore what most likely will happen if HB576 and SB438 passes, will be a two-tiered system where current teachers will be grandfathered in and new teachers entering the profession will face the following:

New teachers entering the profession will have to complete 5 years of probationary service, an increase from the current 3 year probation.
After a 5 year probationary period if a teacher receives a “Continuing Contract” it will last for 3 years. After those 3 years are up a teacher could be denied a new 3-year term contract without a hearing or a proof of cause. In other words, there is no due process and a teacher could just be told she or he will not be given another 3-year term. The bill specifically reads: “no reason is required to deny a new term contract.”

Improving teacher evaluation and professionalism is a laudable goal. But putting teachers on term contracts subject to renewal without good cause does not improve the teaching profession or benefit Virginia students.

Please contact your legislators and urge them to vote NO on HB576 and SB438. You can identify and locate your legislators (and send them a pre-written letter if you choose to do so) by using the following link:

The bills may be up for a full vote any day so act now!

2012-01-18T06:38:00.000-08:00

New SVEA Chapter is reignited at the Northern Virginia Community College Manassas Campus. New SVEA members pose here with the Manassas Education Association President Kellie Blair-Hardt

2012 SVEA CONVENTION

2011-10-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

SAVE THE DATE

March 23 & 24, 2012

The SVEA's Spring Convention "The Future Is You" will be held at the Williamsburg Hospitality House -- 415 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185. To see a list of break-out sessions click here.

Deadline to register is February 20, 2012. Click here to begin your registration.

Take a look at what we did last year.

2010-10-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

A veteran teacher recalls mistakes she made starting out. Click here to see her tips.

Welcome Future Teachers

2010-07-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

The teachers of Virginia, members of the Virginia Education Association, are eager to welcome you to the profession. We know that you are working hard to complete your degree, and we want to help.

That's why we support the Student Virginia Education Association (SVEA), a pre-professional organization that will guide you into our challenging world of teaching.

Joining Student VEA opens doors to you with our local associations in every school division in Virginia. Those local associations are professional communities that will give you support and guidance during your student teaching. And when you land your first teaching job, VEA's local associations will help you throughout your career -- especially during your early years as a new teacher.

Who is eligible to join?

Student membership is available if you are enrolled in a post-secondary program that is preparatory for employment in a position that will make you eligible for Active (teacher) membership in the VEA-NEA. Student membership is available to those who are NOT currently under contract with a school division in Virginia.

Why should I join?

As a student member of VEA-NEA, you'll have the nation's largest education association (3.2 million members) working to provide you with tools and resources for a successful career.

How much does it cost to join?

Annual dues are $30, plus your local chapter dues. Why so low? Because VEA-NEA members supplement the cost of the program to help you along your path to teaching.

I don't live in the same state as my college/university. Which state should I join?

You join the state where you are enrolled as a college student (i.e., if you live in West Virginia, but attend school in Virginia, you become a Virginia member).

Am I covered by liability insurance as soon as I sign up online?

Yes! Coverage is immediate.

How do I join?

Check with your local chapter president for a membership form, or click here to join online.