VATFACS INSTITUTE

6:15pm EDT

Board Games In The Classroom

Sunday July 20, 2025 6:15pm - 7:15pm EDT

In this session we will discuss the benefits of encouraging students to play board games- not video games- during free time in the classroom. I will also provide a lesson based on a board game to allow students to play a game as part of the curriculum. Board games can also be an excellent way for Multi Language Learners to build positive peer relationships and build confidence in the classroom.

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Speakers

Sarah Ummen

FACS Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools

I teach Family and Consumer Sciences at Poe Middle School in Fairfax County Public Schools. I am going into my 8th year of teaching. I love board games, sewing, cooking, watercolor, ceramics, audiobooks, and kayaking.

Sunday July 20, 2025 6:15pm - 7:15pm EDT
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Educational Session

7:20pm EDT

Board Games In The Classroom

Sunday July 20, 2025 7:20pm - 8:20pm EDT

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Speakers

Sarah Ummen

FACS Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools

Sunday July 20, 2025 7:20pm - 8:20pm EDT
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Educational Session

9:00am EDT

Overview of Virginia's New Quality Measurement and Improvement System (VQB5): What your students need to know to be successful in the early childhood workforce

Monday July 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

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Early Childhood Education and Childhood Development teachers will receive an overview of Virginia's Quality Measurement and Improvement System and the importance of the Ready Regions to support implementation. Presenters will provide resources and a foundational knowledge of the two nationally recognized quality indicators used within the VQB5 initiative: interactions and curriculum.

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Speakers

Lauren Gray

Assistant Director of Early Childhood Care and Education, Minus 9 to 5 at Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University

Lauren has over twenty years of experience in education as a public school teacher, principal, and director. She's spent nearly half of her career in early learning. Currently, she serves as the Assistant Director of Early Childhood Care & Education for Minus 9 to 5, the lead... Read More →

Jodi Roberts

Director of Early Childhood Development, Thrive Birth to Five

Jodi has been in the early care field for over 30 years providing professional development and supports to providers across the state. She was part of the first pilot of Virginia’s Preschool Development Grant (PDG) in 2019 and has continued to support the implementation on the new... Read More →

Monday July 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
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Educational Session

10:15am EDT

Snack Attack!

Monday July 21, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EDT

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Provide your students with fruit and healthy ingredients and let them play with their food. The cuteness can not be contained!!! This workshop is perfect for classes that cover child development, but all are welcome.

Related Career Cluster:

Related courses include but are not limited to:
Family and Consumer Sciences Exploratory I, 18 weeks
Family and Consumer Sciences Exploratory II, 18 weeks
Family and Consumer Sciences Exploratory III, 18 weeks
Life Planning, 36 weeks
Individual Development, 36 weeks
Independent Living, 36 weeks
Child Development and Parenting, 36 weeks
Family Relations, 36 weeks
Introduction to Early Childhood Education, 36 weeks
Early Childhood, Education, and Services I
Early Childhood, Education, and Services II

Speakers

Elaine Lombardi

FACS Teacher, Virginia Beach City Public Schools

I have just completed my 19th year of teaching, all of it in Alternative Education. Our student population fluctuates every week. Because of this, I have designed projects that can usually be done in one class period.

Monday July 21, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
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Educational Session

1:15pm EDT

Bag It Up

Monday July 21, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

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Reduce waste by using an old t-shirt to make a reusable bag. This simple, no-sew make-and-take project can be done in one class period while addressing sustainability through repurposing. Supplies will be provided.

Related Career Cluster:

Monday July 21, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
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Educational Session

2:30pm EDT

Monsters of the Midway

Monday July 21, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

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This simple hand-sewing project can be completed in one period and is a good way to use those last few scraps of felt, lace, ribbon, yarn, buttons and fabric. Supplies will be provided.

Related Career Clusters:

Speakers

Elaine Lombardi

FACS Teacher, Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Monday July 21, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
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Educational Session

global Y

3:45pm EDT

Making Middle School FCS Fun and Engaging

Monday July 21, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT

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In this session participants will have the chance to learn some new ideas and collaborate with other teachers.

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Speakers

Megan Hughes

Teacher, FCCLA Adviser, CTE SALT, Loudoun County Public Schools-Stone Hill Middle School

Middle School FCS teacher at Stone Hill Middle School

Monday July 21, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
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Educational Session

9:00am EDT

AAFCS Pre-PAC Broad Field FCS Credentialing Exam

Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am EDT

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Pre-registration and an additional fee are required for this exam.

AAFCS Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) credentials are comprehensive assessments of the knowledge and skills in the Family and Consumer Sciences content areas and are central to career areas involving human service; consumer services, protection; and advising; education and training; and social and community services.

The Broad Field FCS credential is a Virginia Board of Education-approved industry recognized credential for teachers with an FCS endorsement who need to meet the industry credentialing licensure requirement.

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Speakers

Helen Fuqua

Associate Director, CORE Competency, AAFCS

Helen Fuqua works with pre-professional and professional credentialing, education and research at AAFCS.

Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am EDT
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Credentialing Session, Credentialing Block

1:30pm EDT

RealCare Baby 4.0 Launch Details - Hear All About This New RealCare Baby

Tuesday July 22, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

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We're expecting and excited to announce the birth of a new RealCare Baby! Due to arrive July, 2025, RealCare Baby 4.0 has many exciting new features and benefits for students and teachers! You'll be the first to see and hear all about the brand new giggles and babbles from RealCare Baby 4.0. This updated infant simulator will provide even more realism, interaction and decision-making opportunities for students. We’ve added new care events, responses, and mishandle events. Two updated curricula, one for high school and one for middle school, will accompany this new version of Baby. One of the most exciting things is the brand new student app that can provide real time feedback to students, status updates and journaling activities. Don’t miss out!

Related Career Clusters:

Speakers

Laura Brawley

Account Manager, Realityworks, Inc.

My name is Laura and I have been part of the Realityworks team since 2022. I believe our products can ignite a spark in students and prepare them for their futures! As an Account Manager, my goal is to connect with Virginia and North Carolina educators and administrators to match... Read More →

Tuesday July 22, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
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Educational Session

2:45pm EDT

Embracing Risk-Taking in the Classroom

Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT

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This session will provide tools that educators can use to foster a more interactive learning environment. By using risk-taking and the iterative design process, students will gain more critical thinking skills, active listening skills, and active learning skills. This information will be helpful for FCS teachers who are facing challenges with student engagement and student success.

This educational session would be beneficial for any educator or administrator attending the Professional Development Institute.

Related Career Cluster:

Speakers

Dr. Farrell Doss

Professor, Radford University

Seasoned FCS educator with 30+ years professional experience.

Dr. Tammy Robinson

Associate Professor, Radford University

Seasoned FCS educator with 20+ years professional experience.

Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
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Educational Session

4:00pm EDT

Revolutionary Leadership: Becoming the Educator Who Inspires Change

Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

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Revolutionary educators don’t wait for permission—they take bold action to inspire transformation. This workshop will empower you to step into leadership, advocate for innovation, and break through resistance with confidence. Through hands-on activities, self-reflection, and real-world strategies, you’ll leave ready to trailblaze a new path in your classroom, school, or district. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or a seasoned educator looking to reignite your passion, this session will equip you to be bold, be different, and be the change!

This educational session would be beneficial for any educator or administrator attending the Professional Development Institute.

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Speakers

Dr. Cynthia R. Tyler

Partner Educator, Dr. Cynthia R. Tyler Enterprises

Dr. Cynthia is a seasoned Human Resources Professional and College Professor, with a passion for empowering individuals on their lifelong learning journey. With over 25 years of corporate and education experience, she guides others to navigate their personal and professional paths... Read More →

Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
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Educational Session

12:45pm EDT

Putting the Finance in FCS

Wednesday July 23, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT

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I would like to give a presentation on how teachers can incorporate "Personal Finance" into their FCS courses. I will provide lesson plan ideas, resources to interactive activities, and more!

Related Career Clusters:

Speakers

Amanda Grimm

F.C.S. teacher, Rockbridge County High School

Amanda Grimm is a Family & Consumer Sciences teacher at Rockbridge County High School in Lexington, VA. She is also an adviser for the school's chapters of FCCLA, Educators Rising, and YStreet. Ms. Grimm is passionate about teaching Personal Finance and is one of the state's Teacher... Read More →

Wednesday July 23, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
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Educational Session

2:00pm EDT

Glow Up the Future: Past Vibes, Next Moves

Wednesday July 23, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

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Discover surprising facts you might not know about the founding of Family and Consumer Sciences. Learn how to use topics and lessons from the past to move classroom discussions and activities forward. Consider this your lesson in upcycling vintage FCS! Many of the original societal concerns of the Ellen Richards and the other forward thinkers of this time, are still the same topics we see today - healthy, nutritious food, proper child development, etc. The early beginnings focused on incorporating science into lessons. We are the O.G. STEM! Come away with new knowledge and activities!

This educational session would be beneficial for any educator or administrator attending the Professional Development Institute.

Related Career Clusters:

Speakers

Dr. Amber Tiernan

Teacher, Prince William County Public Schools

FCS Teacher

Wednesday July 23, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
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Educational Session

VATFACS INSTITUTE

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