Posted on December 5, 2007

In This Section:

Critical Fields Identified for 2008-09

The critical teaching fields for the 2008-09 school year are:

• 8th Grade Physical Science.
  
  
• Chemistry.
  
  
• Physics.
  
  
• Reading Specialist.
  
  
• Mathematics.
  
  
• Speech and Language.
  
  
• Occupational Therapy.
  
  
• Physical Therapy.
  
  
• Industrial Technology (Technology Education).
  
  
• Special Education (Learning Disability, Autism, Mental Retardation, Emotional Disability, Early Childhood Special Education).

Undergraduate courses begun during the year in which a field was identified as critical will be honored for additional salary credit during subsequent years. These courses must be taken after the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. Credit for the courses will be given when the critical endorsement field is added to the Virginia license. Teachers should contact the licensure office with questions.

Additional information can be found in Regulation 4621.4. 

UVA Special Education-Learning Disabilities Endorsement Program Planned, Information Meetings Set for December 17 and January 8

FCPS is planning a special education, learning disabilities (LD), K-12 endorsement program that will begin in spring 2008 in collaboration with the University of Virginia. The program is designed for professionally licensed general education classroom teachers K-12 who would like to pursue an endorsement in LD to add to a current professional teaching license and work toward a master’s degree in special education. Selection criteria include two years of full-time teaching experience with at least one year of full-time contracted experience in FCPS and possession of a five-year renewable license. Participants will pay tuition and textbook costs.

Representatives from the Department of Professional Learning and Training, the Department of Special Services, and the University of Virginia will provide information about the program, application and selection process, and coursework and practicum requirements at a meeting on Monday, December 17, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Gatehouse Administration Center I in room 3050/3051. An additional meeting will be held at Gatehouse Administration Center I on Tuesday, January 8, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in conference room 4050/4051.

For more information or to register for one of the information meetings, contact Nicki Conners by sending an e-mail to Nicole.Conners@fcps.edu.

FCPS Opens New Student Registration Center in Reston

FCPS has opened a new Student Registration office in the Lake Anne area of Reston. The new office is located at 11484 Washington Plaza West, suite 310. The phone number is 703-668-0690. A map for the site can be found at http://www.fcps.edu/maps/lakeannereg.html. The Reston office replaces the Herndon Student Registration office, which closed on Wednesday, November 28.

FCPS is offering an Educational Leadership program beginning in August 2008 in collaboration with the University of Virginia. The program is for employees who want to obtain the administrative endorsement necessary for consideration for school-based administrative positions of assistant principal, principal, and student activities director. Enrollment will be limited to 30 people. Selection criteria include three years of teaching experience with at least one year in FCPS and outstanding teaching and leadership ability.

Participants will pay tuition and book costs. Representatives from the Department of Professional Learning and Training and the University of Virginia will provide information about the program, application and selection process, coursework, and internship requirements at a meeting today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Dunn Loring Center in training room 1.

To register for the information session, contact the Department of Professional Learning and Training by sending an e-mail to Rita Cloutier at rita.cloutier@fcps.edu. Include your name, work location, and telephone number in the e-mail.

Fairfax County Public Schools, in collaboration with George Mason University's Special Education Outreach program, is planning to establish a graduate cohort in special education leadership that will begin in March 2008. This advanced studies graduate special education certificate program is designed for teachers and administrators who would like to expand their expertise and complete the required coursework for a graduate certificate in special education leadership.

The coursework may also be applied toward a master’s degree in educational leadership or a Ph.D. in education. Participants pay for tuition and books. Representatives from the Department of Professional Learning and Training, the Department of Special Services, and George Mason University will provide information about the program, application, selection process, and requirements at a meeting on December 6 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Gatehouse Administration Center I in room 4050-51.

To register for this information meeting, contact the Department of Special Services by sending an e-mail to Donna.Lentini@fcps.edu. Include your name, work location, and telephone number in the e-mail. For further information, contact Donna Lentini at 571-423-4175.

Winter vacation hours begin on Friday, December 21. The TMPC and the Education Library will close at noon on Friday, December 21 and will remain closed until Wednesday, January 2, 2008. Both services will resume regular working hours beginning Wednesday, January 2.

Regular hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call the TMPC at 703-503-7430 or the Education Library at 703-503-7420 with any further questions.