Program Overview
Teams from school divisions across Virginia learning side by side to reimagine teaching and learning for every student.
The Virginia Leads Innovation Network (VaLIN) brings together educational leaders and innovators from school divisions across Virginia to reimagine teaching and learning and expand opportunities for every student.
Organized into biennial cohorts of Lead Innovation Teams representing up to 35 school divisions, VaLIN provides a collaborative network where educators learn from one another, explore innovative practices, and implement meaningful changes within their schools and communities.
Throughout the cohort experience, teams participate in professional learning institutes, engage in cross-division collaboration, and receive personalized coaching to support the design and implementation of local innovation initiatives. This work supports the Profile of a Virginia Graduate and focuses on three interconnected outcomes:
Deeper Learning: Expanding instructional practices that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, and authentic learning experiences.
Equity: Ensuring all students have access to rich, challenging learning experiences and meaningful opportunities to succeed.
Engagement: Creating learning environments that foster student agency, purpose, and active participation while expanding pathways to high school graduation and future success.
The Profile of a Virginia Graduate
The Profile of a Virginia Graduate provides local school communities with a frame of competencies that students should develop as they master the Virginia Standards of Learning and work through division curricula.
In the Network, Lead Innovation Teams research and develop innovative approaches designed to ensure that all learners develop complex competencies essential to long-term success in homes, communities, and the workforce. As teams determine the effectiveness of innovations, they share artifacts, media, and “how to” information through face-to-face and virtual communication across the Commonwealth.
VaLIN’s Foundational Engagement Strategy
Pre-Planning
Members of the Commonwealth Learning Partnership, VaSCL, other Virginia professional organizations along with the Getting Smart facilitation team (including pertinent experts) assemble to develop / refine the project plan, resources and logistics for each cohort.
Kick-Off Statewide, Local, and Virtual Seminars
Cohorts convene for one (1) “cohort launch” visioning event. In alliance with their assigned coach, members of the cohort then participate in one of three division planning sessions and attend at least 1 virtual community of practice to learn from and with their peers.
Mid-Point Statewide, Local, and Virtual Seminars
Cohorts convene for a half-day collaborative design and networking event. They also participate in one of three division planning sessions, up to three virtual seminars including a community of practice.
Culminating Statewide, Local, and Virtual Seminars
Cohorts convene for one final full-day planning event in their regional hubs. Additionally, they participate in one of three division-based planning sessions, as well as up to three virtual seminars, including the last community of practice.