VATFACS INSTITUTE

6:15pm EDT

Empower Your Innovation

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

As educators, we are always looking for opportunities to grow professionally and bring new ideas to the classroom. Being a mentor will help other FCS teachers feel “Empowered” through the many “Innovative” classroom strategies. Being a mentee invites professional growth but also less confusion of delivering classroom content. Being a mentee/mentor allows mentors to advise a mentee on big-picture issues like career path, while also helping to negotiate more day-to-day issues like office politics, processes, and relationships with peers and superiors. This session will be geared towards goal setting and achievement strategies; communication and interpersonal skills; problem-solving and critical thinking; and leadership and teamwork. We will also focus on building strong relationships, securing and developing resources, leading change amid ambiguity, and driving vision and purpose to motivate others.

Related Career Cluster:

Speakers

Catrina Cheek

2025 President, VATFACS

Collabration among seasoned and nolvitity FCS educators.

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

Educational Session

9:00am EDT

Relevant Standard Based Life Skills Projects students will Never Forget

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

Mariner B

I will present "Best Practices" hand on activities teachers can use in their classroom.

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

Speakers

Mary Tate

Family and Consumer Science Teacher, Department Chair, Prince William County Public Schools

My name is Mary Tate. I have been teaching middle school Family and Consumer Science for the past 24 years in Prince William County. I am the department chair who had the luxury of opening two brand new middle schools. I love teaching life skills which has given me a sense of identity... Read More →

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

Educational Session

10:15am EDT

How Meaningful Gifts Create Lasting Memories

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

Mariner B

Participants will learn how to create meaningful heartfelt gifts that connect to lifetime memories and emotional connections.

Related Career Clusters:

Speakers

Katharine Jackson

FCS Teacher, PWCS Hylton High School

FCS Teacher

Kimberly Wilson

Retired FCS Teacher and Teacher Cadet Curriculum Trainer, Alexandria City Public Schools

FCS Teacher and Teacher Cadet Curriculum Trainer

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

Educational Session

1:15pm EDT

From Surviving To Thriving: Shifting Your Mindset For Success

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

Mariner B

Unlock the power of mindset transformation. In this engaging talk, Amy delves into the profound impact of changing your perspective on life's challenges. Discover how altering your mindset can turn obstacles into opportunities, empowering you to navigate life and business with resilience and creativity. Learn practical strategies to harness the full potential of your mind, ensuring it works for you, not against you. Elevate your thinking, elevate your results!

Related Career Clusters:

Speakers

Amy Fuentes

Transformational Public Speaker/President/CEO, MORE Enterprises, LLC

Amy is an inspiring speaker, author, entrepreneur, and inventor who encourages others to look at life differently. Having overcome numerous hardships, she discovered that a single decision can transform your life. Amy shares her insights in her book, Words of Wisdom: What You Need... Read More →

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

Educational Session

2:30pm EDT

Virginia ACTE Fellowship

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

Mariner B

The CTE Professional Organizations are an integral part of support for CTE professionals. Networking and learning from one another allows us to learn and grow together! Virginia ACTE launched the Virginia ACTE Leadership Fellowship program to promote professional development, leadership, advocacy, and mentorship for all CTE professionals across the Commonwealth. This session will provide an overview of this new initiative.

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

Related Career Cluster:

Speakers

Katharine Jackson

FACS Teacher, PWCS

I am a FACS teacher in PWCS. I am the VA ACTE Rep for VATFACS and a VA ACTE Fellow.

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

Educational Session

3:45pm EDT

Workplace Resilience and Self-Care for Educators

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

Mariner B

This workshop will focus on workplace resilience and self-care for those in the education and/or human services fields, where practitioners are at high risk for experiencing secondary trauma. It will provide an overview of the concept of self-care, including discussions about what self-care is and is not. Participants will complete a self-evaluation to examine their current state of burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion satisfaction. Trigger awareness will also be discussed/analyzed. Information learned will guide participant development of a personalized self-care plan, including practices for sustainability and consistent implementation.

Related Career Clusters:

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
Independent Living, 36 weeks
Individual Development, 36 weeks
Life Planning, 36 weeks
Introduction to Family and Human Services, 36 weeks
Family and Human Services I
Family and Human Services II
Family Relations, 36 weeks
Child Development and Parenting, 36 weeks
Introduction to Early Childhood Education, 36 weeks
Early Childhood, Education, and Services I
Early Childhood, Education, and Services II
Introduction to Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow, 36 weeks
Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow I
Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow II

Speakers

Josetta Thomae, PhD

Owner/Consultant, Thomae Consulting, LLC

Josetta Thomae, PhD, is a clinical service provider, educator, reflective practice specialist, holistic health coach, and lifelong learner who has been working with youth and families for over fifteen years in a variety of capacities. Having worked in fields including Early Intervention... Read More →

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

Educational Session

global Y

9:00am EDT

W!se Certification in Personal Finance - Instructor Exam

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

Mariner B

Preregistration and additional fee are required for this exam.

Virginia teachers may take the W!SE test. This is one of the Virginia Board of Education-approved credentials for family and consumer sciences teachers in Virginia. Note: Testing session is limited to 10 participants.

Related Career Clusters:

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

Credentialing Session, Credentialing Block

1:30pm EDT

Polished Presence: Mastering Personal Branding for Teachers

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

Mariner B

Ready to shine and stand out in your professional journey? Polished Presence is the ultimate workshop designed to help educators craft a personal brand that’s as impactful as their teaching. In this empowering workshop, educators will learn the importance of personal branding in creating a lasting impact on students, parents, and people of influence. By cultivating a polished presence, teachers can foster respect, trust, and credibility in both the classroom and beyond. Participants will explore how to develop a cohesive image that reflects their professional values and aligns with their career goals. Through practical exercises on grooming, attire, and body language, educators will refine their authentic personal brand, enhancing their ability to connect with students, engage with parents, and influence the broader educational community. This session will equip teachers with the tools to present themselves confidently in any setting, from parent-teacher conferences to professional networking events. It's time to elevate your presence and showcase the best version of yourself!

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

Related Career Clusters:

Speakers

Kelli Stenhouse

Human Resources Administrator, Prince William County Schools

Kelli Stenhouse is a dynamic professional dedicated to helping others realize their full potential. With extensive experience as an educator, human resources administrator, and image consultant, she offers a unique blend of expertise that has empowered countless individuals in their... Read More →

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

Educational Session

12:45pm EDT

Stand Up, Speak Up, Start Up: The SCAD Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs

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

Mariner B

From the world’s leading university for creative careers, "Stand Up, Speak Up, Start Up" is the brilliant new guide designed to help emerging entrepreneurs cultivate their gift of invention and pursue their dreams. In each of the book’s six chapters, readers encounter an archetype that embodies a distinct trait of accomplished The Ally, The Believer, The Hacker, The Warrior, The Storyteller, and The Shepherd. Each archetype is explored through the personal stories of enterprising visionaries — including ingenious SCAD alumni who have forged their own paths, from innovating sneaker customization for NBA all-stars to revolutionizing almond farming. While many of the world’s top entrepreneurs share a talent for identifying, pitching, and creating fresh ways of doing things, honing one’s gift of invention is the key to adding unique value. Stand Up, Speak Up, Start Up explores how creative talents — such as the gifts SCAD students and graduates use to animate, design, tell stories, produce films, and more — can also be employed to launch a new startup and to add value to an existing business.

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

Related Career Clusters:

Speakers

Kimya Rainge

Educator Outreach Manager, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

Kimya Rainge is a marketing and sales driven INTERPRENEUR who loves to build relationships and launch new brands. She is an exception to the rule, a game changer and history maker whose passion revolves around helping young entrepreneurs rise. Kimya possesses more than 20 years... Read More →

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

Educational Session

2:00pm EDT

Empowering our FCS Family

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

Mariner B

Do you have to fight to have FCS in your school? Well, we all do! There are different degrees to which we must continually be trailblazers for FCS. Do you need to set up a kitchen? Are you worried about funding? Don't know where to start in establishing an FCCLA Chapter? This session will equip you with a FCS Plan, a marketing and implementation plan that gets all on board. We'll explore the many avenues for building your program and working to enhance its success. Bring your own ideas to add to the mix and think about how your FCS elevator pitch is emerging and evolving.

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

Related Career Cluster:

Speakers

Laura M. Daniel

Teacher, Wetsel Middle School/Madison County Public Schools

With a passion for CTE, especially in curriculum writing, Laura has 17 years of teaching experience. She has taught high school FACS in parenting and life planning for three years, followed by 14 years in her ever-evolving current position in middle school FACS & Business. She is... Read More →

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

Educational Session

VATFACS INSTITUTE

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