The EdVenture Group

06/01/2026

🎉 Today, The EdVenture Group turns 25!

What started as a leap of faith to bring learning into homes, schools, and communities has grown into something we never could have imagined. Career pathways, family engagement, leadership development, entrepreneurship, education innovation — all of it built on one thing: relationships.

We're so grateful for every partner, educator, student, and community member who has been part of this story. Here's to the next chapter. ❤️

"Today is a monumental day for The EdVenture Group and we are so grateful to all our partners and those we've worked with for your continued support. We are looking forward to 25 more years of working together to create a better future for students, educators, families, and communities."
— Dr. Lydotta Taylor, President & Founder, The EdVenture Group

05/27/2026

Join us in celebrating Program Coordinator Kylee Hassan’s birthday today! 🎉

We are so grateful for the kindness and creativity she brings to our work each day. ✨

One thing she is especially known for on our team is her compassion and care for families and students in transition, always leading with empathy and understanding. She’s also known for her eye for design through social media support and graphics, and of course, always having the cutest outfits! ❤️

Today we’re celebrating the amazing person she is and the impact she makes every day. Happy Birthday, Kylee!

05/27/2026

Join us in celebrating Senior Program Manager Nina Riivald’s birthday today! 🎉

We are so grateful for the creativity, insight, and compassion she brings to our work every day. From research and design to art, storytelling, and thoughtful collaboration, Nina helps bring ideas to life in meaningful ways. ✨

One thing she’s especially known for on our team is making the people around her laugh by sharing her stories and experiences, always bringing warmth, humor, and connection into the work we do together. ❤️

Today we’re celebrating the amazing person she is and the impact she makes every day. Happy Birthday, Nina!

05/26/2026

We hope you will join us for the next WV Family Engagement Advisory Council meeting on Monday, June 8th, 5:30-7:00 PM on Zoom!

This meeting is packed with good things: we will hear from the Gauley River Elementary team about how they are bringing family engagement to life in their school and community, get an update on the Engaging Families WV program, and introduce our 2026 Family Engagement Fellows.

Caregivers, educators, students, and community partners are all welcome. We encourage you to share this invitation and invite others who may be interested!

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_A063bioRX28YBApsO-TLg

05/22/2026

📅 May 31st is coming fast!

If you're a PK-12 educator with a big idea for career exploration or CTE, Educator Innovators was made for you. 🎯

A year of learning, coaching, and real support to bring your vision to life. No experience needed. Apply before the deadline: https://theedventuregroup.org/career.../educator-innovators/

05/19/2026

Join Engaging Families WV in Wheeling next week as they welcome Superintendent Michele Blatt and Teacher of the Year Tiffany Stephen for a morning of music, movement, stories, and family engagement. ❤️✨

📍 Ohio County Public Library – Wheeling, WV
🗓️ Wednesday, May 27
⏰ 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

05/15/2026

Last week was an incredibly meaningful one for our team alongside our partners at Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center, Play Included C.I.C., and so many others committed to exploring the power of playful learning, creativity, and connection. 🎉

The week began with ONE X ONE, a day centered around playful learning, creativity, and connection that brought together educators, researchers, innovators, facilitators, families, community members, and partners from across the playful learning ecosystem for a day of exploration and hands-on engagement. We were proud to showcase our Trust Triad activity, which uses playful interaction to explore shared values, connection, and the foundations of trust, alongside so many engaging experiences from partners throughout the space.

The week continued with a deeper dive into Six Bricks training, followed by Brick by Brick advanced facilitator training led by Gina Gomez de la Cuesta with Play Included C.I.C. Both experiences were full of creativity, conversation, and shared vision for what meaningful engagement can look like across schools and communities. We appreciated the opportunity to learn from Gina's thoughtful approach to playful learning, connection, and belonging.

A special thank you to John Balash and his team at CMU ETC for convening such an inspiring group of collaborators and champions of this work. 🧱

We left inspired, energized, and excited for what's ahead. More to come soon. ❤️

05/14/2026

West Virginia's student entrepreneurs showed up and showed OUT at the SparkWV 2026 Final Competition! 🎉

135 students. 19 counties. 74 business ideas. And one incredible night at Morgantown's historic Met Theater. From accessibility tech to sustainability ventures to creative small businesses, these young innovators proved that WV's future is in great hands. 🙌

Congratulations to all of our finalists and winners! 🏆 Read the full recap at the link below 👇

Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube Facebook Twitter LinkedIn West Virginia’s next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators took center stage at the SparkWV 2026 Final Competition, held as part of…

05/13/2026

🚨 Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 WV ACTE Summer Conference! 🚨

Join educators, administrators, counselors, industry partners, and CTE supporters from across West Virginia for two days of networking, collaboration, and professional learning focused on strengthening Career Technical Education.

📅 August 3–4, 2026
📍 Memorial Student Center at Marshall University

Learn more: https://wvacte.org/conference/

Check out the schedule for 2026 WV ACTE Summer Conference

05/11/2026

Applications are OPEN for Educator Innovators! 🚀
Got a bold idea for career exploration or CTE in your school? This is your program.

Educator Innovators is a year-long professional learning experience built for PK-12 educators who want to lead real change using design thinking. No prior experience required.

Here's what you get:
✅ A two-day kickoff workshop at Marshall University
✅ 5 monthly virtual design labs
✅ 1:1 coaching and facilitator support
✅ A capstone showcase to present your work
✅ Skills, strategies, and a new way of thinking you'll actually use

We're seeking educators in: Grow Your Own, Social Services, Manufacturing, Hospitality & Tourism, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Middle School Career Exploration.

📅 Application deadline: May 31, 2026
🔗 Learn more and how to apply: https://theedventuregroup.org/career-readiness/educator-innovators/