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Happy Friday, and Congratulations for making it through this week that seemed like it had 87 days! 2025 has been tough for many of us, for many different reasons. Please be sure to unplug completely over break--remove your work email from your phone (permanently) and leave your laptops at school. We won't get things 'removed from our plates' if we continue to volunteer our time after contract hours. Please take time to celebrate all of your victories this year, and join me in celebrating a big win and great things for our colleagues (below).
Wishing you all the best during your break, and all good things in 2026!
Please note that the AEA Office follows the APS Calendar---we will reopen January 5th.
A HUGE AEA win!
I am pleased to share that AEA has successfully enforced the Collective Bargaining Agreement and secured backpay for both last school year and this school year for a group of Swanson Special Education Teachers. This outcome reflects AEA’s ongoing commitment to enforcing the contract and ensuring employees receive what the CBA provides. Special thanks Swanson staff for recognizing the issue and bringing it forward.
When we fight, we WIN. When we acquiesce, we all lose. It's everyone's responsibility to ensure that they are following the contract. We can't enforce what we don't know about.
Congratulations to those who obtained or maintained their National Board Certifications:
Obtained:
Jessica Gilling, Carlin Springs ES
Zachary Martini, Hoffman-Boston ES
Erica Ramirez Estrada, Hoffman-Boston ES
Leigh Rauseo, Swanson MS
Victor Spadaro, Abingdon ES
Maintained:
Jason Busby, Thomas Jefferson MS
Hiromi Isobe, Washington Liberty HS
Erin Puhl, Cardinal ES
Congratulations to member Ryan Miller, of Washington Liberty HS. Ryan was featured in the January/February issue of Arlington Magazine!
Congratulations to our members elected to serve as delegates to the Virginia Education Association Representative Assembly:
June Prakash, Josh Folb, Belinda Folb, Valerie Smith, Javonnia Hill, Sohana Siddique, Ivis Castillo, Patrick Flaherty, Josh Redhelm, Suzanne Norfleet, Allie Schrant, Jaim Foster, and Anne Coia.
Standing in Solidarity
You may have noticed a recent article in ArlNow about a Starbucks boycott: Arlington teachers’ union joins Starbucks boycott, protesting labor stalemate | ARLnow.com
Why are we doing this? As Union members, we need to stand up for the rights of ALL workers, not just ours. We need to live our union values and create the kind of world that we want to see. Aren't you sick of the working class supporting billionaires? We are. The Starbucks CEO made 95.8 million in 2024--because of us.
NO CONTRACTS, NO COFFEE..
Grants to Educators Now Open |
Calling All Educators: New Grants to Educators Now Available Ready to turn your boldest teaching ideas into reality? The NEA Foundation's Grants to Educators program is accepting applications through March 2, 2026—and this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on your students and school community. Three powerful grant opportunities await:
Whether you're reimagining instructional strategies, deepening your professional expertise, or creating transformative learning experiences, these grants provide the resources to close opportunity gaps and elevate student achievement. Don't wait—your next breakthrough is one application away. Apply by March 2, 2026. |
VEA Learning Lounge
The VEA Department of Equity, Justice, and Learning has heard you! We have created a virtual space that meets your specific needs and called it the Learning Lounge.
The Learning Lounge is your dedicated virtual haven where every role in our vibrant school community finds common ground and growth. This isn't just a place to learn; it's a friendly space to discover that the journey of learning is continuous and beautifully interconnected. Whether you're in the classroom, the front office, the bus garage, or behind the scenes, you're an integral part of our educational tapestry. Here, we embrace learning as a beautiful continuum, fostering connections, sparking new ideas, creating inclusive experiences and equitable spaces, all while recognizing that our diverse perspectives are what truly make our school community exceptional.
From big ideas to everyday solutions, we're building a supportive community where everyone feels empowered to share, listen, and gain valuable insights, no matter their role. Come as you are, leave inspired, let’s learn together in the Learning Lounge!
Sessions are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 6:30 pm. via Zoom.
Each session is 45 minutes long (30 minutes for the presentation and 15 minutes for questions from participants), with the purpose of the time being more conversational in the facilitation approach.
Topics are those that can be a benefit to participants who work and support within our school communities.
These sessions are open to all (members and non-members), and topics are those that can be a benefit to ALL (ESPs, Teachers, Administrators, Aspiring Educators, Career Switchers, Community Allies, etc.).
Feel free to share this with all!
To register and see the calendar of sessions, CLICK HERE. We can’t wait to see you in the Learning Lounge!
Take a Class
Apply for a Fellowship
We are excited to finally announce the National Newcomer Network's newest program: Elevating Voices of Educators of Newcomers (EVEN)!
The Elevating Voices of Educators of Newcomers (EVEN) Fellowship is a paid, five-month program for K-12 educators who want to actively push back on negative portrayals of U.S. immigrants. We’re looking for teachers who work directly with newcomers, children of immigrants, and/or English learners—and who want to tell the world the many ways these children make our schools and communities better.
EVEN fellows will:
· participate in monthly media trainings and policy discussions;
· publish stories and multimedia content about their work with immigrant students and families; and
· engage with the media to help shift public discourse about immigrants.
Applications for the fellowship are due January 4th! The program will run from early February to late June 2026, and selected applicants will receive $1,500 for their participation.
You can share the attached flyer or use the sample social media posts below.
X: Are you a #teacher who works with immigrant students and wants to help tell their stories? Apply for this @TCFdotorg fellowship! 🗣 #immigrantstudents #teacherleadership bit.ly/EVENFellows2026
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Bluesky: #Teachers can raise their voices for immigrant students. Apply to this paid @tcfdotorg.bsky.social fellowship and learn how. 🗣🗣 #immigrantstudents #teacherleadership bit.ly/EVENFellows2026
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Facebook: The Century Foundation’s National Newcomer Network is sponsoring a paid, five-month fellowship for K-12 educators who want to actively push back on negative portrayals of U.S. immigrants. Does that sound like you? Apply by Jan. 4! 🗣 #immigrantstudents #teacherleadership bit.ly/EVENFellows2026
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LinkedIn: Are you a K-12 teacher who works with immigrant students? Are you tired of negative portrayals of these students and their families – and eager to tell the world about the many ways they make our schools and communities better? Apply for this paid, 5-month fellowship from The Century Foundation’s National Newcomer Network. You’ll learn to engage with the media and tell your side of the story. Deadline is Jan. 4 so get your application in today! 🗣 bit.ly/EVENFellows2026
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Participate in a Focus Group
Understanding Student Decision-Making Regarding Choice of College Major (Teacher and Counselor Focus Groups)
Help us better understand how highschoolers choose their post-graduation pathways! Please respond by December 22, 2025.
We are looking for teachers who are currently teaching in the humanities and humanities-adjacent subjects in grades 9-12 and also high school counselors to participate in a 1 ½ hour online focus group in January 2026 conducted by the Humanities Indicators to better understand how students make their way into humanities majors. As a token of our appreciation, you will receive a $100 debit card.
For the purposes of this study, humanities subjects include:
English
Ethics
History
Linguistics
Philosophy
Social studies
Writing
World languages
World religions (non-devotional)
Related subjects
Who are we? The Humanities Indicators is a project of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Our mission is to provide the humanities community, policymakers at all levels, and concerned citizens the data needed to move from speculation to informed discussion of the past, present, and future of the humanities enterprise in the United States. We conceptualize the humanities very broadly, with much of our work focused on K-12 issues.
What is the research? Our research explores highschoolers’ decision-making when it comes to higher education and choice of academic major. In addition to helping us learn about how student pathways are shaped by the high school experience, the focus groups with teachers and counselors (along with a separate set of focus groups with students) will inform a survey of young people about their views toward higher education and how these are shaped by peers, the wider culture, and the adults in their lives.
We’ll talk about things like:
The role that you and your school play in students’ decision-making as far as college attendance and major
How many of your students are considering a humanities major and what attracts them to those majors
The extent of student participation in humanities-related extracurriculars
How much support and training you receive in helping students make decisions about higher education and college major
We hope to hear from you. Use this link to take a short eligibility survey: https://survey.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_06gastAfTSAcap0. If you have any questions about this survey, please contact cfuqua@amacad.org.
Get Involved
Here are some ways you can take action.
Tue, Jan 20 @ 7:30pm · Fairfax County Democratic Committee
Are you new to Franconia and interested in getting involved Democratically? Have you volunteered with campaigns but want to learn more about party po...
Thu, Jan 8 @ 7pm · Fairfax County Democratic Committee
Franconia Dems welcomes our voters, volunteers, and all Democratic visitors to our HOW WE WIN monthly Zooms. Join the 15 minute informal Pre-Chat at ...
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NEWS FROM VEA
As we wrap up this year, we turn to reflect on all that we’ve faced and achieved in 2025. The shining star of the year was our solidarity throughout all that we experienced. Above is just a snapshot of some of our members in action, doing the work, over the past year. As educators and union members, we supported one another in ways large and small: through trainings, turning out at school board meetings, door knocking, and speaking out against injustices. We also extended that same care to families and communities who make up the fabric of our public schools, and we have so much more to achieve next year. The VEA is closed until January, so get some rest and enjoy your holidays! VEA Vice President Dr. Jessica Jones and I look forward to standing with you to make 2026 our brightest year yet! Albemarle EA Reaches Tentative Agreement!Speaking of shining bright: a huge congratulations to Albemarle Education Association for reaching a Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement with Albemarle County PS! After months of negotiations, the tentative agreement includes benefits such as paid parental leave and expanded planning time for elementary teachers. Well done AEA! Governor Youngkin's Introduced Budget Falls ShortOne item we need to keep a close eye on is Governor Youngkin’s FY26-28 Budget, which was released on Wednesday. Unsurprisingly, the Governors’ budget is filled with short-term solutions instead of structural investments necessary to fully fund K-12 education. The shortfalls include bonuses for instructional and support positions that do not count toward retirement, 2% salary increases that do not keep up with inflation or match the national average, and tax giveaways that reflect this administration’s favoring of corporate interests over public investment. The new administration taking office next year must change this budget to commit to Virginia’s future, and we’ll work with them to ensure that schools are funded, and all students and educators have the supports and opportunities they deserve! Elevating Voices of Educators of Newcomers (EVEN) Fellowship OpportunityAre you disappointed in the public discourse surrounding immigrant students? The National Newcomer Network is providing an opportunity for you to take part in changing the narrative! The EVEN Fellowship is a paid fellowship for teachers who work directly with newcomers, children of immigrants, and/or English learners, and who want to share with the world the truth about immigrant students. Interested in Planning the VEA Summit on Educators of Color?At VEA, our commitment to racial and social justice in education remains steadfast, and we are determined to tackle the ongoing challenge of the lack of diversity among educators. We are assembling a diverse team of educators to plan the 2026 Summit on Educators of Color that will build on our tradition of focusing on the vital role of educators of color in our schools. The Summit is scheduled November 6-7, 2026. The team will be capped at 20 members. RSVP by January 12th. |
Apply to Win a VEA Award!Every year VEA recognizes individuals, groups, or locals who stood out during the previous year for their dedication to public education, union growth, human and civil rights work, or political activism. Do you or someone you know fit the bill for outstanding efforts this year? The submission deadline for the highest recognition VEA gives for creativity and excellence in teaching and advocacy, the VEA Award for Teaching Excellence, is January 5th, and the Education Support Professional of the Year award deadline is January 8th, so don’t hesitate to apply today! You can find out more specific information about all the awards here. |
Apply for Three Fitz Turner Commission AwardsIf those award opportunities weren’t enough, applications are now open for the three awards given by the Fitz Turner Commission for Human Relations & Civil Rights (FTC). Each award includes a plaque, $500, and will be recognized at the 2026 VEA Delegate Assembly. The deadline for applications is Friday, January 16, 2026 by 4:30pm. The FTC commission is responsible for making recommendations to the VEA President and VEA Board of Directors to identify and address disparities in schools and communities, and develop programs, build awareness, engage the community, and take action to address injustices and to ensure equity for all students and educators. Do You Know Someone Who Plans to Pursue a Career in Education?The Beblon G. Parks Scholarship Fund, given in honor of Beblon G. Parks, a retired VEA UniServ Manager & Department Director, awards either two $1,000 scholarships to two high school seniors or one $2,000 scholarship to a single high school senior, depending on the pool of qualified applicants. The applicant(s) must plan to pursue a career in the field of Education. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, January 16, 2026. |
Welcome to the Learning Lounge!The Department of Equity, Justice and Learning is excited to announce the launch of The Learning Lounge – your dedicated virtual haven where every role in our vibrant school community finds common ground, growth, and understands that our diversity is our strength! This isn't just a place to learn; it's a friendly space to discover that the journey of learning is continuous and beautifully interconnected. These 45-minute sessions will be held on the first and third Tuesdays of every month at 6:30pm via Zoom, beginning January 6th. These sessions are open to all: members, non-members, community allies, and everyone in-between. Check your emails next week to be the first to sign up! From big ideas to everyday solutions, we're building a supportive community where everyone feels empowered to share, listen, and gain valuable insights, no matter their role or identity. Come as you are, leave inspired, let’s learn together in the Learning Lounge! Award for Teaching Excellence is Now Open! The VEA Award for Teaching Excellence is the highest recognition VEA gives for creativity and excellence in teaching, and advocacy for the profession. One winner will be chosen to win $750 and recognition at the VEA Delegate Assembly in April 2026. That person will also be Virginia’s nominee for the NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence. Deadline for submissions is January 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Click Here for the Nomination FormApply For Three Fitz Turner Commission Awards We are fully in award season as applications are now open for the three awards given by the Fitz Turner Commission for Human Relations & Civil Rights (FTC). Each award includes a plaque, $500, and recognition at the 2026 VEA Delegate Assembly. The deadline for applications is Friday, January 16, 2026 by 4:30pm.The FTC commission is responsible for making recommendations to the VEA President and VEA Board of Directors to identify and address disparities in schools and communities, and develop programs, build awareness, engage the community, and take action to address injustices and to ensure equity for all students and educators. Click here to learn more about the Fitz Turner Commission. Download the flyer here. Submit your electronic nomination here.Do You Know Someone Who Plans To Pursue A Career In Education? The Beblon G. Parks Scholarship Fund, given in honor of Beblon G. Parks, a retired VEA UniServ Manager & Department Director, awards either two $1,000 scholarships to two high school seniors or one $2,000 scholarship to a single high school senior, depending on the pool of qualified applicants. The applicant must plan to pursue a career in the field of Education. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, January 16, 2026. Submit Your Electronic Application HereAre You an NBCT and Want to Give Back to Others? As an NBCT-certified educator, you understand the rigor and rewards of the certification process. Your experience and guidance would be extremely helpful to other educators on their National Board journey. VEA is currently seeking members who are certified and are willing to share their experiences and expertise with those who are pursuing National Board Certification or working to maintain their existing certification. If you are interested, please share your information here. To learn more about National Board Certification, visit our website or go to www.nbpts.org.VEA Vibe Check on January 21! VEA’s Vibe Check is sponsored by the Minority and Women's Concerns Committee and VEA's Department of Equity, Justice, and Learning, and the next one will be on January 21st at 7-8pm! January’s topic is Let’s Chat About ChatGPT. This platform offers an opportunity for member educators to gather in a safe space to have a well-deserved break, allowing members to prioritize joy, wellness, gratitude, and solace in a supportive community. The vibe check will be held virtually, so register by clicking the button below to join! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. NEA Grant Opportunities
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