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March 6, 2026

  • Mar 12
  • 6 min read

Happy Friday, and Happy March!  We've made if through most of the winter (only 2 more weeks until Spring!) and we're SO close to Spring Break!  Don't forget to move your clocks forward this weekend!

On Monday, NEA was hosted by Cardinal Elementary School for a Read Across America Event. All of the NEA officers were present, along with VEA President, Carol Bauer.     Please read more about the event here:



Networking and Learning Event


Year-Round Organizing Calendar of Important Upcoming Events


Date/Time

Meeting

Audience

Registration Link

3/11/2026

@7:00pm EST

Transformational 1:1 conversation training

Local Leaders, Member Organizers and Building Reps

Register here

3/12/2026

@7:00pm EST

Effectively Affirm, Answer, Redirect training

Local Leaders, Member Organizers and Building Reps

Register here

The NEA Legislative Committee invites NEA members to attend the March 24, 2026 (8-9 PM Eastern Time) Listening Session. This is an opportunity to ask about NEA’s federal advocacy and the NEA Legislative Program, get an update on Congress, AND hear from our special guest:

U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT), 2016 National Teacher of the Year and NEA member!

ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL: NEA members/NEA leadership, NEA HQ staff, and NEA Affiliate staff!

March 24, 2026 8 PM Eastern Time

Register in advance for listening session:


APS Community Engagement Opportunities:

Last call:  The 2026 Honored Citizen Nomination

Nominate a deserving volunteer in your school community! The School Board recognizes volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to APS. Details here. Deadline is Fri. March 13.

Thu, Mar. 12   School Board Meeting: Women’s History Month and March is Arts in the Schools Month; Strategic Plan Priority – Student, Family & Community Partnerships (Focus on Family and Community Engagement, FACE)


7:00 pm             Watch School Board meeting online, on Comcast Ch. 70, Verizon Ch. 41 or at Syphax Education Center, 2nd FL, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204


Fri, Mar. 13     Reflections Award Ceremony hosted by the Arlington County Council of Parent Teacher Associations

6:30-8:30 pm   Washington-Liberty High School, 1301 N Stafford St. 22201


Tue, Mar. 24     School Board Work Session on Educational Technology (Focus on AI and devices); Math and the Science of Learning; School Board and County Board Joint Budget Work Session9am-4:00 pm  Watch Work Sessions Live  or at Syphax Education Center, School Board Room, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204

Thu, Mar. 26   School Board Meeting: School Board’s Proposed FY 2027 Budget


7:00 pm            Watch School Board meeting online, on Comcast Ch. 70, Verizon Ch. 41 or at Syphax Education Center, 2nd FL, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204


Arlington Community Opportunities and Events:


Mott Million Dollar Challenge: A Pitch Competition for Kids and Teens

The 50 State Afterschool Network competition invites K-12 students to submit a short, 30-90 second video showcasing an idea that would make a positive impact in their school, home, or community. Details here. Submissions are due Feb. 27.

Scholarships for high school studentsThe George Washington Chapter AUSA 2025 Scholarship Committee is accepting digital scholarship applications at C2101@ausa.org. Email questions to karen.lowe1956@gmail.com or dickwinter1@gmail.com. Applications are due May 1.

More ways you can take action.

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NEWS FROM VEA


Read Across America a Bestseller in Virginia!

As a former national chair of NEA’s Read Across America Committee, I have a special place in my heart for this annual celebration—and for making sure that kids learn to read! We celebrate a nation of diverse readers. For this year’s festivities, I was able to join NEA President Becky Pringle; VEA’s own Princess Moss, NEA Vice President; and Noel Candelaria, NEA Secretary Treasurer to read and provide books to students at Cardinal Elementary School students in Arlington. Celebrations of reading continue in our schools all around Virginia, bringing in elected officials, parents, and community advocates to highlight this NEA program. It is my fervent hope that many, many children and adults came away from those events with a renewed enthusiasm for the joy of reading.  

Face-to Face: Virginia Dept. of Education Conducting Listening Tour

I’m always encouraging our members, the experts, to speak their truth to our state-level education policymakers, and now you have a new, excellent opportunity: You can weigh in on education policy, strategy, recruitment, and more in a series of Listening Sessions held by VDOE and our state’s Secretary of Education. The first session was in Hampton this week; eight total stops around the state are planned for the tour, asking educators and community members to share their public education experiences and insights.

Learn More Here

Arlington's Prakash is VEA's 2026 ESP of the Year

I’m delighted to share that June Prakash, a member of the Arlington Education Association and an instructional assistant at Ashlawn Elementary School, has been named VEA’s 2026 Education Support Professional of the Year! It’s been a pleasure to work with June, who started her education career in 2011 and has worked as an instructional assistant, substitute teacher, and long-term substitute supporting special education and ESOL students, also volunteering as a reading buddy, after-school tutor, student mentor, Odyssey of the Mind judge, and Yearbook Advisor. And, as if that wasn’t enough, she’s also serving her second term as president of the Arlington Education Association. Congratulations, June! Weather prevented me from traveling to her school to make the announcement, but we were able to do so virtually at an Arlington Education Board meeting.

Schools, Not Corporations, Deserve the Money: A Chance to Carry Our Message

VEA members believe that a sales tax exemption granted to the enormous data centers built and being built in our state is unnecessary and that large corporations should pay their fair share for services in Virginia. This week, I had a chance to speak at a press conference to make the case that our students and public schools would greatly benefit if the General Assembly will remove that tax exemption, which legislators are currently considering.

See the TV Coverage Here

Bargaining: Preparation is the Key to Success

While we’re still not sure what final form a collective bargaining bill will take in this session of the General Assembly, we know that it will open new opportunities for our members to negotiate their contracts—and we’re thrilled. To make the most of this historic event, we’re beginning to gather information with our locals and staff to lay the groundwork for new negotiations. Local leaders and staff will collaborate to launch into this new territory, and your Union will be there to support, encourage, and assist you as you do.

Protecting Our Students, Defending Our Schools

As immigration enforcement expands around and into our schools, VEA members need clear information on their rights and the proper way to protect students and to support families and colleagues. As part of a toolkit currently being prepared, VEA’s Department of Equity, Justice & Learning has created this two-page summary of information for school employees.

Check it Out Here

NEA's Global Learning Fellowship Can Open the World to You and Your Students

Since it began in 2011, the NEA Foundation’s Global Learning Fellowship (GLF) has sent educators from all over the country abroad to help them bring a global perspective into their classrooms, helping students thrive in our increasingly interconnected world. Applications are now open, through April 6, for the 2027 GLF cohort! Learn more here at the GLF overview with links for the application & March info sessions here, as well as application instructions here. Applicants must be members, current public school educators with responsibility for creating lesson plans and delivering classroom instruction to PreK-12th grade students, and be in or beyond their third year of teaching.

'Managing Microaggressions' Topic of Next VEA Vibe Check

VEA’s Vibe Check, sponsored by the Minority and Women's Concerns Committee and the Department of Equity, Justice, and Learning, is an opportunity for member educators to gather in a virtual safe space for meaningful conversations. March’s topic is March Madness “Managing Microaggressions” with a special guest from NEA. Join us on March 18th from 7-8pm!

Register Here

School Advocacy & Action Summit Tomorrow

Stand up for inclusivity by joining school and community leaders for a powerful day of learning, skill-building, and collaboration designed to help you champion safe and welcoming school environments for ALL students and families. Together, we’ll explore how you can meaningfully participate in local school decision-making and positively impact school climate and culture to ensure every LGBTQ+ student and family can thrive. This one-day Summit is FREE to attend.

Register Here


 
 
 

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