VDOE'S Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC) at Virginia Tech

A Network for School Administrators

Improving Outcomes in Special Education

“I want to encourage you to think big. Rethink what you do, rethink how you do it. Rethink when you do it. Rethink where you do it.
Rethink with whom you do it, and maybe most importantly, rethink why you do it.”

Johnny Collett, Assistant Secretary,
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services,
U.S. Department of Education (2019, p. 2)

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"The VCU Autism Center for Education is inviting Virginia residents to enroll in Evidence-Based Practices to Teach Students with ASD, a free online course running from September 8 to October 13, 2025. Designed for educators, this course provides an overview of effective instruction, appropriate skill selection, and evidence-based practices, focusing on the “foundational five”: antecedent-based interventions, visual supports, systematic instruction, and strategies to promote social and communication skills."

VT T/TACs - NEW Assistant Principals' Network

We recognize that Assistant Principals as well as new Principals play a critical role in shaping school culture, instructional leadership, and inclusive practices.

This new network will begin by sharing targeted professional learning opportunities aligned to their unique leadership needs through Constant Contact. Over time, we aim to grow this into a dynamic community of practice—where they can access support, share ideas, and collaborate with peers facing similar challenges and opportunities.

Please share this interest survey with your APs or with any new (1-2yrs) Principals you may know.

Assistant Principal Interest Survey

Timely Resources & Opportunities

REGISTRATION OPEN!!

Section 504 Training: From Eligibility to Implementation

Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Where: Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center:1 Partnership Cir., Abingdon, VA

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REGISTRATION OPEN!!

Section 504 Training: From Eligibility to Implementation

Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Where: The Village Center at Warm Hearth, 2387 Warm Hearth Dr, Blacksburg, VA 24060

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Mastering Math Manipulatives: Two New CoPs

Join VT and RU T/TACs in September as we kick off two communities of practice (CoPs) that will take a year long deep dive into making math more accessible and meaningful for all our students. Following the kickoff events on September 9th and 10th, each CoP will meet virtually in the afternoon on the second Tuesday of the month (October-February).

REGISTRATION OPEN!!

VT T/TAC's - Evidence-Based Instruction for Multilingual Learners with Disabilities

Presenters: Dr. Melissa Cuba & Dr. Rebecca Raab

Event Details

Date: October 28, 2025

Location: Wytheville Meeting Center

Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Registration Deadline: Monday, Oct. 13th

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Is gamification the key to achieving true inclusion in special education?

"Gamification can turn classrooms into places where students with diverse needs feel seen, supported, and excited to learn."

"This Spotlight features resources and virtual learning opportunities for novice special education teachers and paraeducators, as well as family supports for new school year success."

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"The PACER Center is offering a wide range of free webinars this fall on topics including assistive technology, special education rights, mental health, and strategies for positive educational outcomes. Sessions run throughout August and September and cover practical tools and resources for families, educators, and professionals supporting children with disabilities. Explore the full schedule and register for upcoming sessions."

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Responsibility Centered Discipline

"Responsibility-Centered Discipline (RCD) has helped educators across North America transform student discipline and improve school climate over the past decade. Not only have RCD schools seen significant decreases in office referrals, detentions and suspensions, they have also moved away from an obedience-based classroom discipline model to a model that is centered on students taking responsibility for their own behavior as well as their own academic success."

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Building Collaborative Pathways for School Counselors & Transition Coordinators

"If you haven’t already, save the date for our next webcast on September 17, 2025, at 2 PM ET! Effective transition planning for students with disabilities takes a team, and two important roles on that team are school counselors and transition coordinators. When these professionals work together, students are better prepared for life after high school. Join Kelly Ligon (VCU Center on Transition Innovations) and Dr. Patricia Morgan (Virginia Department of Education) for Building Collaborative Pathways for School Counselors and Transition Coordinators to discover practical strategies, tools, and real-world examples for building stronger partnerships."

New Initiative with VDOE: Transition Talks to Answer Your Questions

"We’re excited to launch Transition Talks, a new virtual conversation series developed in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Our very own Dr.Staci Carr will host this live Q&A series on Zoom, and it’s designed to support educators, case managers, and families at every stage of a student’s transition journey by answering questions and opening up a space for conversation. These 1-hour Q&A sessions are designed to share practical tools and strategies, highlight key transition milestones across school levels, and promote collaboration among families, schools, and communities. Sign up for the 3:30-4:30 PM sessions on the following dates:"

Join the growing Region 6 & 7 network of support and professional learning for school administrators in Virginia. Receive weekly updates connected to our AN website, designed specifically for you. As a network, we want you to be able to connect and learn from your colleagues, who understand the depth, challenges, and complexities of your role as an educator. So please share your ideas for future AN sessions and let us know what resources you need. It truly is YOUR network and could not exist without YOU, so thanks for all you do!

Join our ABC ~123 Behavior Change email group . The purpose of ABC~123 is to share three ideas that teachers can use to support students with challenging behavior. These three ideas will be delivered to your email box each week! We hope these ideas help you to more effectively address challenging behaviors. Please join and invite others who may benefit from these weekly helpful strategies. You can email jebaldw3@vt.edu with any suggestions on topics you would like to see more about in the future.

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