June is Deafblind Awareness Month
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month.
This October marks the beginning of an important month for the 1 in 5 students nationwide with learning and attention issues. This includes the 2.5 million who have specific learning disabilities like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. It also includes the 6 million who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
October is Disability History and Awareness Month (NDHAM)
October is AAC Awareness Month! AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication and refers to all the different ways used to communicate when a person's speech is unreliable or absent.
Dyslexia Resources Available in Our Library
Basic Facts about Dyslexia & Other Reading Problems
by Louisa Cook Moats & Karen E. Dakin
Dyslexia for a Day Simulation Kit
by Kelli Sandman-Hurley, Ed.D. & Tracy BlocZaretsky
Check out these resources that may be useful as you are planning instruction for students this Fall.
Working with Families of Young Children with Special Needs
by R. A. McWilliam
Families and Educators Together: Building Great Relationships that Support Young Children
by Derry Koralek, Karen Nemeth , et al.
December is Universal Human Rights Month
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
October is Disability History and Awareness Month (DHAM)
Shelley Jewell, M.S.
Program specialist in assistive technology and intellectual disabilities
jewellsr@vcu.edu
(804) 827-9990
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Autism Acceptance Materials in Our Library
1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Ellen Botbohm
A is for Autism, F is for Friend: A Kids Book on Making Friends with a Child who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder by Joanna L. Keating-Velasco
February 12th - 18th is Virginia Kindness Week.
The purpose of Kindness Week is to recognize that simple day-to-day acts of kindness enable our schools, communities, and state to be a kinder, safer, healthier and more inclusive place to live, work, learn and play.
Search T/TAC's Library for these titles & many more
Listing of Newly Added Titles to the Library at VDOE's T/TAC at VCU
National Read Across America Day
March 2, 2023
March 2 is National Read Across America Day, a day to celebrate our favorite activity. The day was established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998 to help get kids excited about reading.
Good Neighbor Village Valentine's Day
This February, the TTAC team donated supplies to make Valentine's goodie bags for Good Neighbor Village, a local residential community for adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Program Specialists delivered them before Valentine’s Day and helped residents create Valentines for their friends and families.
New Materials Available in Our Lending Library
Phonics and Spelling Through Phoneme-Grapheme Mapping
By Kathryn E. S. Grace
Sound Wall Solutions
By Tools 4 Reading
Positive Behavior Support at the Tertiary Level: Red Zone Strategies
by Laura A. Riffel
If you're interested in a FREE copy of this book, email plhaynes@vcu.edu for more details.
(While supplies last.)
Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching (What Works for Special-Needs Learners)
by Anita L. Archer and Charles A. Hughes
If you're interested in a FREE copy of this book, email plhaynes@vcu.edu for more details.
(While supplies last.)
Employment opportunity
VDOE's Training & Technical Assistance Center at VCU is seeking a Program Specialist in Secondary Transition.
For details, please visit: Program Specialist in Secondary Transition
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8-12, 2023
This year, we’re joining together to tell teachers that we will listen to them, we will stand with them, and together we will take action so that every student has a teacher who feels respected and supported.
“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” – Fred Rogers
Mental Health Materials in Our Library
The Behavior Code Companion: Strategies, Tools, and Interventions for Supporting Students with Anxiety-Related or Oppositional Behaviors by Jessica Minahan
The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity by Nadine Burke Harris
Mental Health Materials in Our Library
Addressing Challenging Behaviors and Mental Health Issues in Early Childhood By Mojdeh Bayat
Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina
November is Celebrated as Parent Engagement Month
Partnership for People with Disabilities Center for Family Involvement
Resources from VDOE on Family Engagement
Specially Designed Instruction Observation Tool
Days to note in the Month of December
December 4th - National Cookie Day
December 7th - First day of Hanukkah
December 8th - National Brownie Day
Ashley Unger
Administrative coordinator, Region 8 office
ungera@vcu.edu
(434) 292-3723
Fifth Annual Virginia Kindness Week 2024
Virginia Kindness Week is February 11-17, 2024!
Virginia Kindness Week Flyer
The purpose of Kindness Week is to recognize that simple day-to-day acts of kindness enable our schools, communities, and state to be a kinder, safer, healthier, and more inclusive place to live, work, learn, and play.
Teaching Mathematics Meaningfully: Solutions for Reaching Struggling Learners
by David H. Allsopp
Unlock math concepts for struggling learners with the expanded new edition of this bestselling text, ideal for both preservice and in-service educators.
"How!" is not the way American Indians say 'Hello'
For more information regarding American Indians in children's literature, please visit the AICL website.
Link to AICL Website
2022 Virginia Assistive Technology, Tools, and Strategies (VATTS)
The 2022 Virginia Assistive Technology, Tools, and Strategies (VATTS): Considerations and Assessment Guidance Document, Consideration Guide and Resource Guide are now available. These resources replace the previous versions of the AT Consideration and Resource Guide.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Developmental Disability Materials Available in Our Lending Library
One-On-One Manual Working With Low-Functioning Children With Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities
by Marilyn Chassman
Handbook of Developmental Disabilities
by Samuel L. Odom
Exceptional Children’s Week 2024
April 15, 2024 - April 19, 2024
Exceptional Children’s Week is an annual celebration of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. The week-long celebration is a national event started by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), an international professional organization dedicated to improving the success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.
Visit the CEC's website for more information
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
In the month of May we take time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) have played in our shared history.
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month
Official National Hispanic Heritage Month Website
U.S. Department of Education's Recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month
October is Virginia Disability History and Awareness Month.
Click here to learn more about disabilty history
October is ADHD Awareness Month!
ADHD Awareness Month’s goal is to provide reliable information and resources to help people thrive with ADHD. Although October is designated as ADHD Awareness Month, learning and sharing information about ADHD is beneficial all year long!
November is National Native American Heritage Month
Celebrate National Family Literacy Month
November 2024
2024 Inclusive Schools Week: Every Voice Matters
December 2-6, 2024
December is Universal Human Rights Month
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
Celebrate Braille Literacy Month!
January Is Braille Literacy Month!
February is Black History Month
The Origins of Black History Month
Invisible Changemakers of Industry
Learn, Engage, and Celebrate Throughout Black History Month
Celebrate Black History Month in the Richmond Region
“The First Civil Rights: Black Political Activism After Claiming Freedom”
March is
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
(D.D.A.M.)
April is Autism Acceptance Month
Autism Acceptance Materials in Our Library
Just Give Him the Whale! by Paula Kluth
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-O Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida
Autism Acceptance Materials in Our Library
The Land We Can Share: Teaching Literacy to Students with Autism by Paula Kluth
You're Going to Love This Kid! by Paula Kluth
May is National Speech-Language and Hearing Month! Check out ASHA.ORG to learn more about communication milestones and how Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists can help!
Morgan (Mo) McGlothlin
Library/office administrative assistant
mcglothinmj@vcu.edu
(804) 827-1414
Tapestry for Learning
Leveraging your Practices from Day 1
This conference is designed to provide school teams and staff with the best first instruction.
Participants will have an opportunity to attend sessions to address effective intervention strategies to address academic and behavioral concerns in students in elementary and secondary settings. Specifically, we will address HLPs, SDI, and transition across the educational timeline.
Sessions will address topics such as strategy instruction and scaffolding. After the conference, participants will have the materials necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of multi-tiered behavioral and academic support.
Target Audience: School personnel and related service providers
Strands will include: New Teachers, High Leverage Practices (HLPs), Specially Designed Instruction (SDI), Behavior Support, Transition and Administrators.
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month: June 2025
Academic and Behavior Supports for At-Risk Students: Tier 2 Interventions
by Melissa Stormont, Wendy M. Reinke , et al.
If you're interested in a FREE copy of this book, email plhaynes@vcu.edu for more details.
(While supplies last.)
Responding to Problem Behavior in Schools, Second Edition: The Behavior Education Program
by Deanne A. Crone, Leanne S. Hawken, et al.
If you're interested in a FREE copy of this book, email plhaynes@vcu.edu for more details.
(While supplies last.)
From Brain Science to Application: Compassionate and Resiliant Schools 101
Seven Steps for Developing a Proactive Schoolwide Discipline Plan: A Guide for Principals and Leadership Teams
by Geoffrey T. Colvin
If you're interested in a FREE copy of this book, email plhaynes@vcu.edu for more details.
(While supplies last.)
The PBIS Team Handbook: Setting Expectations and Building Positive Behavior
by Beth Baker M.S.Ed. and Char Ryan Ph.D.
If you're interested in a FREE copy of this book, email plhaynes@vcu.edu for more details.
(While supplies last.)
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People
by Mahzarin R. R. Banaji & Anthony G. Greenwald
If you're interested in a FREE copy of this book, email plhaynes@vcu.edu for more details.
(While supplies last.)
Students with behavior difficulties can sometimes challenge even the most seasoned teacher. Meaningful Work: Changing Student Behavior with School Jobs offers educators a guide to help change student behaviors with school jobs. The text merges two topics, positive behavior supports and transition, emphasizing strategies for grades K-6. Transition skills can begin as early as elementary school and continue through high school.
If you would like a FREE copy for your toolbox, contact LaTonja Wright at wrightly2@vcu.edu.
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Total Participation Techniques: Making Every Student an Active Learner
by PeĢrsida Himmele & William Himmele
If you're interested in a FREE copy of this book, email plhaynes@vcu.edu for more details.
(While supplies last.)
TUITION-FREE INCLUSIVE PRACTICES COURSE FOR ADMINISTRATORS
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), in partnership with the Virginia Inclusive Practices Center at Radford University, is offering a tuition-free opportunity to participate in a technical assistance initiative focused on inclusive practices.
June 30- July 31, 2025
TUITION-FREE TRANSITION COURSE FOR EDUCATORS
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), in partnership with the Virginia Inclusive Practices Center at Radford University, is offering a tuition-free opportunity to participate in a technical assistance initiative focused on inclusive transition practices for middle and secondary educators through a special topics course: EDSP 660 Building Capacity for Effective Transition in Grades 6-12.
June 30-July 31, 2025
Maximizing Student Success:
High Probability School and Classroom Štrategies
Tashara Moore
Administrative assistant
mooret17@vcu.edu
(804) 828-6947
Shahida Persad, M.S.Ed
Program specialist, elementary and secondary curriculum and instruction
Education
- Master of Science in Education-Special Education, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (2003)
- Bachelor of Science-Communicative Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (2000)
Professional experiences
- Coordinator of Special Education – Bettie Weaver Elementary, Chesterfield County Public Schools (2024–2025)
- Project Coordinator – Radford University Training & Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) (2018–2024)
- Special Education Teacher – West Salem Elementary & G.W. Carver Elementary, Salem City Schools (2012–2018)
- Elementary Program Support Teacher / Evaluator – Oshkosh Area School District (2010–2012)
- Special Education Teacher – Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD) (2008–2010)
- Special Education Teacher – Autism (2004–2008)
- Special Education Teacher – Cross-Categorical (Monolingual) – Milwaukee Public Schools (2003–2004)
Endorsements/licensure
- Special Education General Curriculum K-12