The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, is proud to announce the ceremonial signing and official launch of the Teacher Apprenticeship Program. This momentous occasion will take place on January 14, 2025, at Government House, St. Thomas, USVI, and will be led by Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and VIDE Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ed.D.

This groundbreaking initiative is designed to develop and retain highly qualified educators for the Territory’s K-12 educational system. By addressing critical workforce needs, the Teacher Apprenticeship Program aims to provide paraprofessionals with the tools, resources, and support needed to transition into certified educators prepared to inspire and lead in classrooms across the Territory. This marks a significant milestone in the Virgin Islands’ commitment to fostering a robust and well-qualified teaching workforce.

Through this initiative, apprentices will benefit from a comprehensive range of support services, including mentorship, academic and career counseling, skills gap training, childcare services, tutoring, individualized work plans, and preparatory practice for PRAXIS 2 exams.

Structured for success, the program incorporates monthly progress reports, mid-semester and annual apprentice feedback surveys, and semester performance reviews to ensure participants stay on track and achieve their goals. Expected outcomes include 100% placement in K-12 teaching positions, teacher certifications, and the development of subject area chairpersons, strengthening the Virgin Islands’ educational infrastructure for years to come.

The application process involves submitting an application, transcripts, and an essay, followed by a panel review. Applications are due by March 28, 2025, with interviews and selections beginning in April 2025. The first cohort is set to launch in May 2025.

Cohort 1 will include paraprofessionals who will complete 6,000 hours of on-the-job training, 121 college credit hours, evening and summer classes, and collaborative learning opportunities facilitated by VIDE and professors from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) School of Education. This unique blend of practical and academic training will prepare participants to excel as educators and leaders in our Territory’s schools.

The Teacher Apprenticeship Program is made possible through the collaborative efforts of key partners, including the Office of the Governor, Virgin Islands Department of Education, Virgin Islands Department of Labor, Virgin Islands Board of Education, University of the Virgin Islands School of Education, Workforce Development Board, American Job Center, and Equus Workforce Solutions.

The Virgin Islands Department of Education extends heartfelt gratitude to all the agencies, partners, and individuals who have worked tirelessly to make this program a reality. Together, we are building a brighter future for our Territory by investing in the professional development of our educators.

For paraprofessionals seeking to advance their careers and make a meaningful difference in the lives of students, this is an unparalleled opportunity. Take the first step toward becoming a certified educator by applying to the Teacher Apprenticeship Program. Applications are due by March 28, 2025.

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Download press release here:  pdf Press Release 0104 25 Ceremonial Signing and Launch of Teacher Apprenticeship Program (136 KB)

 

The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) has been informed by PowerSchool, the nation’s largest provider of cloud-based education software for K-12 schools, of a nationwide data breach impacting school districts across the country. This breach has affected personal information of students and educators, including data from public and private schools that utilize PowerSchool’s systems to manage information such as enrollment, grades, records, attendance, etc.

The incident occurred off-site at PowerSchool’s facilities and VIDE wants to reassure its parents, students, faculty, and all stakeholders that no actions by the Department or individual schools contributed to this breach. This was an international cyberattack targeting PowerSchool’s customer support portal. According to PowerSchool’s statement, the breach was discovered on December 28, 2024, and involved a compromised credential allowing unauthorized access to certain data. PowerSchool has since taken steps to contain the incident and prevent further unauthorized use of the data.

Scope of the Breach: PowerSchool representatives have reported that an export data manager tool was used to extract student and teacher tables. These tables primarily include contact information, such as names and addresses. In some cases, data may also include Social Security Numbers (SSNs), medical records, and grades for current and former students. Importantly, no bank account or credit card information is stored within PowerSchool’s systems and, therefore, was not affected.

PowerSchool’s Response: PowerSchool has stated that the data breach is contained and that they believe the data will not be shared publicly. The company has paid an undisclosed amount to the perpetrator in exchange for evidence that the data was destroyed. PowerSchool continues to monitor the dark web to ensure no additional copies of the data are circulating. Furthermore, they have indicated that no other PowerSchool products were compromised, and the incident has not disrupted their services.

VIDE’s Commitment to Transparency: The VIDE is actively sharing updates provided by PowerSchool and will continue to keep its stakeholders informed as more information becomes available.

For further clarity, a special live presentation for parents is scheduled for Monday, January 13, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. VIDE representatives will explain the breach, its containment, and its impact on data privacy.

Presentation Details: Join the live presentations using the following login information (link or QR Code):

http://bit.ly/3Pxy8m6

 

VIDE’s Data Safeguards: Although this incident occurred off-site, the VIDE remains committed to ensuring the privacy and security of stakeholder information and has implemented robust internal safeguards, including:

• Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Enabled in 2024 to prevent unauthorized access.
• Access Control Policies: Employing segregation of duties and least privilege principles to limit data access.
• Antivirus and Anti-Malware Protection: Continuous monitoring for vulnerabilities and suspicious activity.
• Firewalls and Network Segmentation: Which ensures isolation of systems and departmental data.

VIDE emphasizes that these measures remain effective in safeguarding data managed locally within the Department.

Assurance to the Community: The VIDE takes this situation very seriously and assures the public that it is working diligently with PowerSchool as they work with other national agencies to investigate and mitigate the breach. While this was a global incident beyond the control of individual districts, the Department remains proactive in providing updates and support to students, parents, and staff.

PowerSchool officials have stated, “All appropriate steps have been taken to ensure the data involved is protected from further misuse, and there is no evidence of malware or ongoing unauthorized activity.” PowerSchool has also confirmed that it continues to provide uninterrupted services to its customers.

Disclaimer: Some language in this press release is directly cited from statements issued by PowerSchool. For further information on their official updates, visit https://www.powerschool.com/

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Download press release here:  pdf English Press Release 0102 25 Virgin Islands Department of Education Informs Public of Nationwide PowerSchool Data Breach (1) (188 KB)