• Norfolk Public School’s Virtual Scholars Academy teachers are all licensed teachers in their field. Virtual Scholars Academy teachers are there to ensure each student receives the appropriate amount of rigor, engagement, and support with online content. Each teacher makes connections with students and Learning Coaches (parents/guardians) to ensure a strong and effective partnership is maintained.

    Each teacher will have different strategies for engaging their students. These strategies will be based on the needs of the students in their class. Virtual Scholars Academy Teachers will ensure they are engaging their students by allowing them to directly engage with the teacher, peers, and the content.

    As a Norfolk Public Schools teacher, contracted for 7.33 hours daily, teachers must create a schedule that will include Synchronous/Asynchronous learning, student/Learning-Coach contact hours, support hours, lesson planning, feedback, and grading.

    Teacher Responsibilities: Synchronous/Asynchronous Learning

    • Follow the district's pacing guides and curriculum.
      • Align asynchronous and synchronous activities/content with Norfolk Public Schools’ pacing guide and curriculum.
    • Assign asynchronous instruction, lessons, and activities using Virtual Virginia via the Canvas Learning Management System.
      • Maintain organizational structure in Canvas.
      • Require independent reading 14.2 minutes every day.
      • Asynchronous lessons will be delivered to students via Canvas daily.
        • Asynchronous videos should include all content areas you teach.
        • Content areas do not have to be released on the same day.
          • For example, Reading videos can be released every Monday. Math videos can be released every Tuesday. Science videos can be released every Wednesday. Social studies videos can be released every Thursday. Writing videos can be released every Friday.
          • Instructional videos do not equate to additional assignments. Instructional videos should act as a lesson that supports your students’ learning for the week
        • If you are working on with a grade level or department, it is imperative you collaborate with your colleagues to ensure your instructional videos are not overwhelming your students and the Instructional Coaches (parents/guardians)
        • If you only teach one content area, your daily asynchronous videos should scaffold the content for your students
        • Asynchronous instructional videos should last between 8-10 minutes. This time will vary depending on the need of your students
          • If you cannot provide your instruction within that time frame, create an additional instructional video to be released on the same day
          • Example - A teacher creates Part I of an instructional video on understanding the concept of theme. They create Part II that builds off of Part I.
          • Keep in mind that instructional videos can be viewed at any time and anywhere by students and Learning Coaches. If a student is struggling with a concept you can redirect them to the instructional video that you created that covers that concept
        • Provide opportunities for synchronous (Zoom) instructional sessions. The following is based on the need of students at varying grade levels.
    • 4-5 Zoom Requirements:
      • Twice a day five times a week
      • 1 Zoom session/day - mini-lesson focused on skill/concept
      • 1 Zoom session/day- small group instruction
    • 6-8 Zoom Requirements:
      • At least two synchronous instructional sessions per day
    • 9-12 Zoom Requirements:
      • At least two synchronous instructional sessions per day
    • Teachers may have more sessions based on the needs of the students.
    • Each synchronous Zoom session should provide a live taught lesson and be aligned with grade-level appropriate content.
    • Synchronous Instructional Zoom sessions are separate from your scheduled support hours.
    • Each Zoom session should last the developmentally appropriate amount of time for your students.
      • The following are the Approximate Attention Spans for children. These times may vary depending on individual students.
        • 10 years old: 20 to 30 minutes
        • 12 years old: 24 to 36 minutes
        • 14 years old: 28 to 42 minutes
        • 16 years old: 32 to 48 minutes

    Teacher Responsibilities: Student/Learning-Coach Contact Hours and Support Hours

    • Provide consistent daily support hours for Learning Coaches and students.
      • Ensure support hours are suitable for your students and Learning Coaches
        • Possible Suggestion: 8 A.M-12 P.M.
        • Possible Suggestion: 1 P.M.-5 P.M.
      • Answering questions
      • Providing extra tutoring
      • Learning coach and teacher conferencing
      • Support hours should be posted/shared regularly and communicated to students and Learning Coaches via email.
    • Maintain clear communication with Learning Coaches and students. If you are unable to contact a student or Learning Coach immediately, you are required to respond within 24-48 hours of the initial time of communication (Monday through Thursday).
    • Email weekly progress reports to Learning Coaches and students.
    • Email online learning rubrics to Learning Coaches and students.
    • Check email, Synergy, Canvas, and other forms of digital communication daily for messages from Learning Coaches and students.
    • Ensure attendance is accurately taken in Synergy the day of synchronous Zoom sessions
    • Remain flexible with your schedule to ensure the needs of all students are met. At the professional discretion of you and your administrator may include:
      • Completion of additional asynchronous videos
      • Providing additional instructional support to students
      • Increasing your support hours to support students and learning coaches
        • Support hours may need to be modified to accommodate learning coaches’ work schedules (i.e. 5:30 PM)
        • Learning Coach/Teacher Conferences should be scheduled at an agreed-upon time.

    Teacher Responsibilities: Lesson Planning

    • Follow the district's pacing guides and curriculum.
    • Create/develop asynchronous assignments and associated materials for Canvas.
    • Implement a variety of division-wide educational programs
      • Examples include:
        • Zoom - Breakout rooms - Mandatory
        • EdPuzzle
        • FlipGrid
        • Discussion Boards
        • Padlet
        • WeVideo
        • Book Creator
        • IXL
        • Legends of Learning
        • Smarty Ants
        • Educational programs will vary based on grade level and content area

    Teacher Responsibilities: Feedback

    • Teachers will be evaluated using the Norfolk Public Schools Teacher Performance and Evaluation System.
    • Remain open to constructive feedback to ensure your course is meeting the needs of your students.
      • Make the necessary modifications to your virtual instruction based on that feedback.
    • Update the Virtual Scholars Academy Administrators and leadership team of any issues you may be experiencing.
      • Inactive Students
      • Disruptive student behavior
      • Learning Coach Concerns that extend beyond your control
    • Attend Professional Development Opportunities.

    Teacher Responsibilities: Grading

    • Teachers are responsible for inputting grades into Synergy.
    • Turnaround time for grades will vary depending on the type of assignment the students are completing.
    • Teachers will follow the Norfolk Public Schools 2021-2022 Grading Handbook.
    • Any work that is completed and graded should be returned to students and Learning Coaches with explicit feedback on how a student performed.
      • Feedback should be developmentally appropriate for the age of the student.
      • Video, audio, or textual feedback will be incorporated into completed and grading assignments.
    • Any completed and graded assignments will be provided to students and Learning Coaches in their weekly progress reports.