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Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC)
Providing professional learning, resources, and technical assistance to educators

Significant Disabilities

Application of evidenced-based practices and instructional strategies associated with specific disability characteristics results in measurable positive outcomes for students.

GMU TTAC coordinators provide resources, professional learning, technical assistance, and facilitate communities of practice associated with VDOE initiatives that increase the capacity of school division personnel to apply meaningful, relevant, and researched instructional supports that promote student success for students with specific disabilities and learning needs.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) 

Community of Leaders in Autism (CoLA)

The Community of Leaders in Autism (CoLA) is made up of regional school personnel who provide leadership in ASD  within their division.  Region 4 and 5 TTAC coordinators, in partnership with VCU-ACE, host virtual coffee chats on topics relevant to stakeholders and provide professional learning sessions in the fall and spring. The CoLA offers a sustained regional professional network for leaders in the field of autism to share experiences and learn from each other. 

Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Network (VAPSBAN)

The Virginia Public Schools Behavior Analyst Network (VAPSBAN) promotes the growth of behavior analysis and provides on-going support for behavior analysts who work in public schools. The network is a VDOE collaborative effort with the TTACs and VCU-ACE to provide resources, monthly continuing education events, research, and professional learning opportunities for BCBAs in public schools at the state and regional level. 

Intellectual Disabilities 

Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL) 
The Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL) are Reading, Mathematics and Science Standards of Learning that are reduced in depth, breadth and complexity to make them relevant, accessible and appropriate for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The Region 4 VESOL Virtual Community of Practice (CoP) meets throughout the school year to support educators providing ESOL instruction. Each session provides guidance, tips and strategies as well as an opportunity to learn from the implementation experiences of other Region 4 educators. Click EVENTS to learn more!

Traumatic Brain Injury 

"Traumatic brain injury" means an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force or by other medical conditions, including stroke, anoxia, infectious disease, aneurysm, brain tumors, and neurological insults resulting from medical or surgical treatments, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects a child's educational performance.

GMU TTAC provides resources for TBI Teams in Region 4 school divisions and throughout the Commonwealth.

Focus Area Coordinators

  • Karen Berlin Co-Director
    Coordinator, Significant Disabilities; VTSS
    MEd, Georgia State University
  • Clare Talbert Associate Director of Technology, TTAC School Age
    MEd, George Mason University
  • Geoffrey Weber Coordinator, Assistive Technology
    MEd, GMU