ACPS is committed to providing students and instructional staff cutting edge resources to support a rich and engaging learning environment through blended learning opportunities. Blended learning is the deliberate connection of educational technology with face-to-face learning to enhance and personalize a deep and meaningful curriculum. ACPS provides instructional technology support to its teachers through on-going professional development, reflective leadership programs, and on-site training.
Technology Integration Specialists
Each school is supported by a Technology Integration Specialist (TIS). These licensed teacher leaders provide large-group, small group, and one-to-one professional development opportunities in addition to co-teaching, modeling, and instructional planning. The TIS functions as a coach for teachers to support them navigate blended learning strategies and digital citizenship in the ever-growing educational technology ecosystem. Each building Technology Integration Specialist (TIS) also offers professional development specialized for each school building. TIS plan small group trainings, content-specific workshops and just-in-time learning for classroom teachers.
Technology Integration Education (TIE)
ACPS offers the Technology Integration Education (TIE) program, which satisfies the Virginia Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel (TSIPS). This program provides hands-on training through a blended learning environment for instructional personnel to develop and demonstrate proficiency in the required state technology standards, meeting the requirements for licensure and renewal.
Teacher Leadership Project
The Teacher Leadership Project (TLP) is a cohort of classroom teachers interested in becoming technology leaders and collaborating with others across the division. Teachers in the cohort experiment with technology to create exemplary classrooms, and gain experience leading technology-rich professional learning. Participating teachers attend 2 full day workshops in the summer, 3 full day workshops during the school year, and 3 after school meetings. Benefits of this cohort include 120 hours of recertification credit, necessary equipment to facilitate teaching and learning in your classroom, and a stipend for participation.
ISTE-T
ISTE-T Certification is an internationally recognized certification program that engages teachers in a deeply reflective, intensive process to determine if their instructional technology practices meet the standards set forth by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). This certification program offered by ACPS is a hybrid course using both face-to-face meetings and online communications to assist teachers through the rigorous submission of 20 teaching artifacts and reflections over an 12 month period. Teachers who complete the process and become certified will earn 100 recertification points and 3 graduate credits from James Madison University. This opportunity is for self-directed learners, confident in their use of technology, and eager to measure their use of technology in the classroom against an international standard.