Lauren Catherwood-Ginn (540) 831-6847 | Katie Ginn (540) 831-5357 |
Ginni Bussey (540) 831-6848 | Shahida Persad (540) 831-7601 |
The Virginia Department of Education’s Training and Technical Assistance Center at Radford University maintains personnel who provide consultation to teachers, principals, and school divisions in areas of literacy instruction for students with disabilities and students who struggle in reading. Additionally, staff members are qualified to assist a division or school who may need support in implementing evidence-based literacy instruction in alignment with the Virginia Literacy Act. TTAC literacy coordinators offer professional learning around Specially Designed Instruction and the intensification of instruction for students with disabilities.
TTAC Coordinators at Radford University support division Dyslexia Advisors from Superintendents Region 6. This support includes communities of practice around evidenced-based literacy instruction, assessment, assistive technology, and DA role development.
Virginia’s Department of Education currently offers an annual, application-based opportunity for educators to receive training in a multi-sensory approach to literacy instruction. Teachers throughout the state of Virginia may apply and priority is given to special educators and reading specialists working with students with disabilities. Selected educators take a week-long (30-hour) Orton Gillingham course with an Orton Academy Fellow and receive follow-up coaching support from regional TTAC Coordinators. Announcements and applications for this opportunity are typically available in late spring via a superintendent’s and/or principals’ memo.