As teachers head back to school, the WHRO Education team is ready to help. Staff members have been busy this month presenting professional development sessions and attending teachers’ back-to-school training events.
Recently, WHRO Education presented a workshop, “Utilizing eMediaVA for AI Literacy and Responsible Media Use,” at Newport News iNNovate. This presentation was designed for K–12 educators who want to help students thoughtfully navigate the growing role of AI in their learning and daily lives. It focused on practical strategies for teaching students how to use AI tools responsibly, critically, and effectively. Participants explored classroom-ready resources from eMediaVA that support AI literacy and ethical use.
The Newport News iNNovate conference happens every summer for staff members of Newport News Public Schools. The conference includes fun, hands-on sessions that teach skills and strategies that can be used immediately to impact instruction and student achievement. Teachers are shown how to integrate lessons more effectively and inspire students with lessons that meet their interests and abilities.
WHRO Education also attended Norfolk Public Schools’ Norfolk New Teacher Institute, a conference for newly hired teachers. This event gives teachers who are new to the division an opportunity to explore the many resources available to them. Over the three-day event, WHRO Education’s Children’s Services Department, Digital Learning Department and eMediaVA staff presented the vast array of services and resources that WHRO Public Media provides to Virginia educators.
What Does WHRO Provide for Virginia Educators?
1. Classroom Resources
All Virginia educators (public, private, and homeschool) are eligible for a login to eMediaVA, a free digital content collection of SOL-aligned resources. Engage and inspire students through videos, audio recordings, images, interactives and labs, lesson ideas, and special collections. eMediaVA features content from state and national leaders in educational content like PBS LearningMedia, Library of Congress, National Geographic, Khan Academy, Sesame Workshop, Science Museum of Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg, NASA, and more!
2. STEM, Literacy, and Environmental Van Programs
These programs feature WHRO's colorful learning vans that visit elementary schools where staff members present trainings and hands-on activities for kids to grow their skills in STEM (science, technology, math), literacy, and environmental science.
3. Professional Development
Throughout the year, WHRO offers webinars designed to help educators continue developing their skills. Check out upcoming and recorded webinars.
4. Online Courses
WHRO's catalog of 30 textbook-independent, award-winning, customizable online courses is ready to help educators enrich how they educate. These core curriculum courses are media-rich, SOL-aligned, and adaptable to existing learning management systems (LMS).
5. Student Competitions
Educators can showcase the achievements of their students through three annual competitions. Learn more about the Great Computer Challenge (K-12), PBS Kids Writers Contest (K-5) and the TowneBank Spelling Bee (middle school).
WHRO is proudly owned by the 21 school divisions in the southeastern Virginia region, including Norfolk Public Schools and Newport News Public Schools.
Learn more about the many educational resources that WHRO Public Media provides to educators and families.