Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

WHAT IS MY USER NAME?

Your user name is your GroupWise email address.
Example: Sample Teacher
User Name = steacher@es.spotsylvania.k12.va.us

WHAT IF I FORGET MY PASSWORD?

You can request your password on the log in page of MyLearningPlan. Enter your User Name.
Click "I forgot my password." Your password will be emailed to you by MyLearningPlan.

MAY I APPLY ACTIVITIES I'M COMPLETING THIS YEAR (2009-2010) TOWARDS NEXT YEAR'S REQUIREMENT?

No.  Your requirement must be fulfilled between June 14, 2010 and April 15, 2011.

WHY CAN'T I SEE CERTAIN COURSES IN MY CATALOG?

When we publish courses, we target departments and grade levels so you won't see courses that don't apply to you. If you expect to see a course but don't, it may be because the targeted department or grade level is not selected in your user profile. Edit your user profile to select any departments or grade levels appropriate to you.

WHEN WILL I KNOW WHEN MY COURSE HAS BEEN APPROVED?

If you selected to receive email notifications, you will receive an email notification from info@mylearningplan.com. You are always encouraged to log in and check “My Learning Plan” to see the status of your course. Descriptions are as follows:

• "Awaiting Pre-Approval" - your form has been routed to the appropriate administrator for approval
• [More Info Required] - one of your approvers has made a comment needing your reply. Click the title, read the comment from the administrator, and submit your reply in the text box.
• "Approved and in Progress" - you are registered and expected to attend the course.
• "Awaiting Final Approval" - you have "marked complete" and waiting for attendance to be awarded.
• "Denied!" - your choice has not received the appropriate approval. Click on the title of the activity and Always feel free to drop these from your Learning Planby clicking on the title of the activity, selecting drop and following the prompts. You will need to make another selection.
• "Most Recently Completed" - lists the five activities you have completed. Click on "view My Portfolio for full list" to see all of the activities in your Learning Plan.

HOW DO I CHANGE MY REGISTRATION?

If your plans change and you wish to request a different course or option, simply register for your new choice as you did originally. BE SURE to drop the unwanted course to make room for others and to avoid being marked absent. To drop a course, click on the title of the course in your learning plan. Scroll down and find the red "drop" link. You will be prompted to confirm your intent to drop. This can be done at any time. However, it is still your responsibility to enroll in a course or other option. If all deadlines have passed for study groups, etc. and no courses remain in the In-House program, you will be unable to fulfill your requirement.

CAN I GET INTO A COURSE WHERE ENROLLMENT IS CLOSED?

Your best bet is to add your name to the "Wait List." This feature is available when you click the title of the course unless the wait list is also full. Enrollment can rise and drop as staff members' choices change. Sometimes we form additional sections to accommodate high interest levels. You should feel free to check back as often as you like to see the enrollment of a course. This number is displayed on MyLearningPlan under each course description. The current enrollment shows both the number enrolled and the maximum enrollment.

WHAT DO I DO IF THE COURSE I SIGNED UP FOR SAYS "MORE INFO NEEDED" ON MY LEARNING PLAN?

Click on the “title” of the activity.
On the screen that appears, review the comments and respond in the text box.
Please add your comments in the box provided and click “submit”.
OR
If you would prefer to drop the activity, click the “drop” link. Be sure to follow the prompts on the screen.

HOW CAN I PRINT MY CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE?

Log in at www.mylearningplan.com. Click on the title of the course listed under "Most Recently Completed." If you do not see the course listed, click "view My Portfolio for full list", then click on the title of the course. Select "Print Certificate," select "Click here to view/print the certificate(s)" (this will open your certificate in Acrobat Reader), and print your certificate.

MAY I RECEIVE CREDIT FOR AN INSTITUTE I ATTEND OUTSIDE OF SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY?

Please review the Academy/Institute Option guidelines. Some academies or institutes may be used to fulfill your professional development requirement provided they address student achievement, relate to your current teaching assignmen, and meet with the approval of your principal.

MAY I RECEIVE CREDIT FOR A COLLEGE COURSE I TAKE OUTSIDE OF SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY?

Please review the College Course Option guidelines. Some graduate credit courses taken at a university or college may be used to fulfill your professional development requirement provided they address student achievement, relate to your current teaching assignmen, and meet with the approval of your principal.

I AM WORKING TOWARDS MY DEGREE IN ADMINISTRATION. DO THESE COURSES MEET THE COLLEGE COURSE OPTION GUIDELINES?

Most of these courses do not meet the requirements. The course must be related to your current teaching assignment. The county supports individual professional growth through supplemental pay when working toward an advanced degree, between 3% and 13% of your base salary.

MAY I REQUEST TUITION REIMBURSEMENT FOR A COURSE TAKEN AT A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY THAT I AM USING FOR MY REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

Tuition Reimbursement is not available for the 2010-2011 school year due to budget cuts.

IF I AM UNABLE TO ATTEND ANY PART OF THE REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WILL MY PAY BE REDUCED?

Yes, unless you have submitted the professional development absence report.  This report is forwarded to you in March if you have not completed at least 20 hours of professional development, outside of your regular work hours, which as been approved by your building principal.  Completion of the absence form is the responsibility of the employee. Sick leave benefits are available according to School Board Policy. Personal leave requires the prior approval of your principal.

MAY I USE PROFESSIONAL LEAVE DAYS TO REPLACE MY REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

Professional leave days may NOT be used for any of the professional development options that must take place outside of your regular work hours. You may not use a professional leave day to attend a workshop or seminar that you are indicating is outside of your regular work hours.  Attending an Academy or Institute that is part of the Academy/Institute option must take place outside of your regular work hours.

WHAT IF MY EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES INTERFERE WITH MY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS?

It is your responsibility to sign up for a professional development activity that will not conflict with other duties. If, after careful planning, a conflict does arise, it must be resolved with your principal as with any other contract day.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER IS BAD (i.e. SNOW, FLOODING) ON THE DAY OR NIGHT OF AN IN-HOUSE COURSE?

If schools are closed or all after-school activities are cancelled, any In-House Course scheduled for that day would be rescheduled. Participants would receive a reminder of the make-up date.

MAY I ATTEND AN IN-HOUSE COURSE EVEN THOUGH I AM REGISTERED FOR ANOTHER OPTION?

Yes. Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity for professional growth. However, you must register for all In-House Courses you plan to attend.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO REGISTER FOR A DIFFERENT OPTION AT THE LAST MOMENT? WHAT SHOULD I DO?

If you find you are unable to participate in the option for which you are registered, please contact your principal to determine another choice and receive approval. Please drop the course on MyLearningPlan. Care should be taken when registering for another option.

WHENEVER I HAVE ANY CONCERNS/QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, WHO DO I CONTACT?

First, consult with your principal to discuss any concerns or questions you might have about professional development. If further information is needed, please contact Professional Development (834-2500) or prodev@spotsylvania.k12.va.us.

ARE PART-TIME STAFF MEMBERS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DIVISION-WIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM?

All licensed part-time and full-time instructional staff are required to participate.