Leadership Academies
Statewide Transition Leaders Academy
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), in partnership with the Center on Transition Innovations at Virginia Commonwealth University, is announcing the launch of the first cohort of its Statewide Transition Leaders Academy (STLA). This initiative is designed to be responsive to recent legislation and reporting requirements from the Virginia General Assembly and to enhance special education leadership and implementation in secondary transition by providing comprehensive professional development and technical assistance. The aim of these activities and compressive plan is to improve postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities across Virginia for successful transition to higher education or trade/technical training, career/work, and community life.
The Academy will begin with a three-day workshop in August 2024 followed by monthly two-day seminars through June 2025. These sessions will provide professional learning for participants, equipping them with necessary knowledge and skills to excel in instructional leadership roles to coordinate, implement, and monitor evidence-based practices for transition planning and services.
Cohort 1 STLA Application
To apply for the program, download and complete the STLA Application . All candidates must submit their applications through their school division’s director of special education.
Application packets must be submitted to the attention of Katherine Willis, Senior Administrative Assistant, Center on Transition Innovations. Candidates and nominators will be notified of selection outcomes by mid-May 2024.
Candidate Requirements
Applications from a diverse range of professionals who have demonstrated leadership in post-secondary transition program planning and services or aspire to attain leadership roles are encouraged. Administrators who offer support to secondary special educators, career and technical education teachers, transition representatives are also encouraged to apply.
Selection Criteria
Approximately 30 participants will be selected. To be considered, candidates must be endorsed by the school division’s superintendent or designee and director of special education.
The selection process is competitive, and a committee will review applications and select participants based on the following criteria:
- Strength of candidate’s written statement as included in the application;
- Experiences in secondary special education as reflected in a resume;
- Strength of recommendation by the candidate’s supervisor;
- Endorsement by the school division’s superintendent or designee and director of special education; and
- Balanced school division and regional representations.
Costs
The VDOE will fund costs associated with lodging, meals for the duration of professional learning sessions, speaker fees, as well as relevant materials and supplies. However, school divisions or other sending agencies will be responsible for covering the mileage reimbursement, dinner on each meeting day for selected participants, and substitutes.
Aspiring Special Education Leaders Academy
The Aspiring Special Education Leaders Academy is designed for educators who aspire to be in a leadership position and who are not currently a special education director. Individuals must be nominated and complete an application to be considered for selection into this Academy.
The Academy is a program established to assist school divisions and state-operated programs with succession planning and is designed to help prepare potential leaders for future administrative positions in special education.
This is a year-long program that will include workshops, seminars, observations, assignments and field experiences. Participants will have opportunities to gain knowledge, skills and experiences that will help them excel in positions of special education leadership.
2024-2025 Academy for Aspiring Special Education Leaders
Cohort 17 Application
One application per school division, state-operated program, regional program, and training/technical assistance center for Academy participation may be submitted. Candidates must submit applications to their division superintendent’s office through the director of special education. This gives the superintendent an opportunity to add an endorsement.
Application packets must be submitted to Beverly Wynter, Executive Secretary, Office of the Assistant Superintendent, Department of Special Populations, and postmarked by April 19, 2024. Candidates and nominators will be notified of selection outcomes.
Candidate Requirements
Candidates for the Academy may include administrators holding entry-level positions, teachers, student services staff members, and related services staff members who have demonstrated leadership. All candidates must possess at least a master’s degree or be near completion of such and be endorsed by their special education directors and division superintendents or designees.
Selection Criteria
Approximately 20 participants will be selected for Cohort 17. Preference will be given to those who have not had participants in past cohorts. The selection process is competitive, and a committee will review applications and select participants based on the following criteria:
- Strength of candidate’s written statement as included in the application;
- Experiences in special education and accomplishments as reflected in a resume;
- Strength of recommendation by the candidate’s supervisor or program manager;
- Endorsement by special education director and division superintendent or designee;
- Balanced representation in the Academy, including regional representation.
Costs
The VDOE will fund costs associated with lodging, breakfast, and lunch each meeting day, speaker fees, and relevant materials. School divisions or other sending agencies will assume costs related to mileage reimbursement, dinner on the meeting days, and substitutes.
New Special Education Directors Academy
The New Special Education Directors Academy offers seminars throughout the year addressing relevant topics in-depth for new directors. A new special education director is defined as one who is new to their position and has not been a special education director in another location or was new after last year’s Academy. The Academy includes information on a variety of topics including state and federal data collection and reporting procedures, annual plans, changes to policies and regulations, Standards of Learning (SOL) instructional resources, as well as the use of assigned mentors. For more information contact the Office of Instructional Services by email at spedinstruction@doe.virginia.gov.