Apply Now! Journey into Teaching Academy for Selected Second-Year, Provisionally Licensed Special Education Teachers – Application Due May 22, 2026

Description:

The Virginia Department of Education Department of Special Education and Specialized Populations is announcing its eighth cohort of the Journey into Teaching Academy. The Academy is a yearlong professional development initiative for teachers completing their second year of teaching by the end of the 2025-26 school year (SY) and entering their third year of teaching during the 2026-27 SY as a provisionally licensed special education teacher.

In Virginia, special education is considered the number one critical shortage area for teachers. The Journey into Teaching Academy is designed as a program to provide teacher support beyond mentorship to enhance the retention, as well as the overall performance of provisionally licensed special education teachers.

This year-long initiative will begin with a four-day workshop on July 6-9, 2026, in the Richmond area. Additionally, there will be three Saturday workshops scheduled throughout the fall and spring. Workshops are all day, from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., and require in-person participation for every session. Dates and logistics will be provided with notification of acceptance into the academy.

The Journey into Teaching Academy is designed to be a competitive application process. Priority will be given to teachers from divisions and schools that have been identified by the VDOE through the School Performance and Support Framework. Selected participants will receive a $2,000 stipend for successful completion of the Academy and any other relevant activities. Approximately 25 participants will be selected for this cohort. The selection process requires completion of the 2026-27 Journey into Teaching Academy: Teacher Application and submission of a letter of recommendation on school letterhead from the applicant’s school administrator. Additionally, all candidates must:

· have completed or will complete two years of successful teaching as documented in an administrator’s recommendation and/or evaluation;

· hold an active, provisional Virginia teaching license;

· be actively engaged in taking coursework to satisfy licensure requirements; and

· be continuing their contract with their current school division for the 2026-27 SY.

Completed applications and letters of recommendation are due to VDOE by May 22, 2026. A committee will review the applications and select participants based on the above criteria. The selected applicants will reflect a balanced school division representation based on the number of applicants. Notification and information on the academy will be sent via email to the selected participants. Applicants who are not chosen for this cohort will be notified by May 29, 2026.

For questions regarding this academy, contact Dwana Cooper, Coordinator for Specially Designed Instruction, at Dwana.Cooper@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 750-8693; or Dr. Zenia Burnett, Director of Special Education Instructional Services, at Zenia.Burnett@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 750-8666.