Center for Implementation and Evaluation of Education Systems

CIEES
Directory

Dr. Jonna BobzienExecutive DirectorExecutive Directorjbobzien@odu.edu

Jonna Bobzien is the executive director of CIEES and an associate professor of special education at ODU. She previously served as the department chair of the communication disorders and special education department (CDSE) and as the special education graduate program director. After earning a BS degree in biology from ODU, Jonna Bobzien began her career working with children with special needs as an occupational therapist technician in a residential facility for children with multiple, significant disabilities. She enjoyed working with these children so much that she went back to ODU to earn a MS degree in special education-adapted curriculum and transitioned to classroom teacher in the same residential facility. After several years of teaching, Jonna returned to ODU and earned a PhD in special education with a research emphasis in severe disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. Jonna has published dozens of articles on working with students with disabilities, and she has provided direct teacher training in schools located in both the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. Jonna is a co-primary investigator on several U.S. Department of Education and Virginia Department of Education grants, and she serves on the editorial boards of several professional journals.

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Dr. Ann MaydoszDirector of Administration & OperationsDirector of Administration & Operationsamaydosz@odu.edu

Ann (she/her) brings over 23 years of grant administration expertise to CIEES. With the inception of the center in 2019, Ann and the CIEES team were able to give a unified voice and momentum to their desire to improve education for all students. Ann also has 20 years of experience instructing adult learners as an adjunct professor with a research focus on special education law and policy and marginalized populations. Her publication and grant record reflect her commitment to understanding these issues and to changing the systems that perpetuate inequity. Ann’s family believed that education was the answer to the complex and layered problems of bias and inequality. Her work with the center allows her to live this truth every day.

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Ms. Jacqueline RoysterDirector of Budgeting & FinanceDirector of Budgeting & Financejroyster@odu.edu

Jackie is a program director at CIEES. She has over 25 years of experience in sponsored program administration that supports strategic and tactical initiatives. Her responsibilities include maintaining contract and grant negotiations with sponsors while overseeing finances and developing budgets.

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Virtual Model Designation

Content

Keren Plowden

TTAC Director

kplowden@odu.edu Learn More Keren is the director of the ODU Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC ODU). Prior to this role, she served as an educational specialist/VTSS Systems Coach at T-TAC ODU. She brings over 25 years of experience working in public and non-public school systems in both urban and rural settings along the east coast. As a former special education teacher, school administrator, early childhood and gifted coordinator, and special education director, she believes that all children can learn and deserve to receive a high-quality education. Keren is passionate about systems change efforts that ensure educational access and inclusion for all children and their families.

Dr. Corinne Wilson

VTSS Evaluation Director

CCooking@odu.edu Learn More Corinne Wilson is the VTSS Evaluation Director for CIEES. She supports center activities including grant writing, development of research and evaluation designs, and data collection, management, and analysis. Additionally, Corinne serves as an evaluator for the Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS) initiative and is a member of the state leadership, project management, evaluation, and implementation teams. She regularly contributes to VTSS's continuous improvement, data-based decision-making implementation framework. Through VTSS alignment goals, Corinne works with other VDOE departments including the Office of Special Education Program (OSEP) Improvement.

ODU

Laura Beller serves as the Director of the ODU Training and Technical Assistance Center, part of the statewide network of assistance centers serving across the Commonwealth where she facilitates the work of a team of education specialists. Laura earned B.A. degrees in Teaching Emotionally Disturbed and Teaching Intellectually Disabled and a Master’s in Learning Disabilities. She has served as a teacher (ED, ID and SLD) in various positions (co-teacher, resource teacher, curriculum resource consultant), and started her career at T-TAC ODU as a curriculum and instruction specialist. In her work, she strives to improve educational opportunities for Virginia children and youth with disabilities.

Kayla Abrahamson, Ph.D. CIEESkabraham@odu.edu Learn More CIEES, CIEES/VTSS Program Evaluator Kayla is a program evaluator specializing in evaluating and analyzing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). She collaborates work with center staff, partners, and stakeholders to evaluate MTSS systems and provides technical assistance in data visualization. She works in data management and analysis and helps develop/ select appropriate evaluation methodologies for various initiatives and proposals. Additionally, Kayla actively participates in all phases of the evaluation process and collaborates on successful grant proposals, demonstrating versatility and commitment to various program evaluation initiatives.

Daniel Biegun, EdD TTACdbiegun@odu.edu Learn More TTAC Daniel served as a high school special education teacher for the early part of his career, then transitioned to T-TAC ODU where he has been supporting public school educators for the past 12 years. Working directly with educators as they design meaningful educational experiences for their diverse groups of students is his greatest professional joy. His areas of focus include academic instruction for students with intellectual disabilities, universal design for learning, and self-determination skills. He is also proud to serve students and educators across the state through his work with the I'm Determined Project and the Virginia Division on Career Development and Transition.

Dayla A. Brown TTACd7brown@odu.edu dbrown@ttacodu.org Learn More TTAC, VTSS Systems Coach Dayla is a VTSS Systems Coach at TTAC ODU. She supports public school districts in Regions 2 & 3 through the implementation of multi-tiered systems to support positive school culture and students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health. Dayla has over 20 years of experience working in the non-profit sector and within public and non-public school systems in both urban and suburban settings. Her work has been driven by the belief that school communities have the capacity to empower students, families and staff through creative, dedicated leadership and innovative approaches, along with effective community outreach. She is committed to partnering with districts to cultivate environments which promote equity, a sense of belonging and deeper student engagement.

Patricia B. Clark TTACpbclark@ttacodu.org pclark@odu.edu Learn More TTAC, VTSS Systems Coach Pat spent 32 years in public schools as a Special Education Teacher, General Education Teacher and School Administrator. She now serves as a State Systems Coach supporting several school divisions in VA Superintendent Regions 2 and 3 in their design and implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in Academics, Behavior/Social Emotional Wellness and Attendance. A new focus on designing multi-tiered supports to improve Special Education Teacher retention has been particularly exciting, as her passion has always been for every student to reach their potential, and students with disabilities need and deserve highly skilled special educators.

Nicholas Q. Diggs TTACndiggs@odu.edu ndiggs@ttacodu.org Learn More TTAC, VTSS Systems Coach and Behavioral Specialist Nicholas is a VTSS systems coach and behavioral specialist at TTAC ODU. He primarily supports school districts in VDOE Superintendent’s Study Regions 2 and 3 by implementing multi-tiered systems of support to improve school culture and climate, promote mental wellness, and increase academic success. His previous professional experiences include teaching math and science and supporting PBIS implementation at the school and division level. His passions include coaching, increasing equity in practice, and promoting student achievement.

Lisa M. Gehring, Ed.S. TTACLgehring@odu.edu Learn More TTAC, Education Specialist for Early Childhood Lisa serves as an Early Childhood Specialist at TTAC ODU. In her previous life, she worked for Portsmouth Public Schools for 19 years, first as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and then as a Program Specialist in the Office of Special Education. Lisa has a passion for supporting sustainable growth in inclusive environments through systems change. It is her strong belief that a leader's impact is best determined by the ability to build capacity in the organization they serve. As a member of the first cohort of the VDOE's Aspiring Special Education Leaders Academy, she is committed to building systems that positively impact young children with disabilities across regions 2 and 3.

Amy Husk TTACahusk@odu.edu Learn More TTAC, Education Specialist | Autism As the Education Specialist (autism focus) at T-TAC ODU, Amy provides coaching, professional development, and resources to teachers and administrators across VDOE Superintendents’ Study Regions 2 & 3. Her passion lies in empowering educators to support diverse learners with confidence and joy. Whether a student is struggling to have their needs met or a teacher is unsure of how to provide an intervention, Amy is dedicated to helping them find their footing and their voice. As Dr. Temple Grandin has said many times, “The world needs all kinds of minds,” and Amy is committed to working with teachers and their students to foster a more inclusive world. She firmly believes that every student has the right to an equitable and meaningful education and is eager to team with others to improve outcomes for each and every student.

Kristen Ingram CIEESKingram@odu.edu Learn More CIEES, Program Manager for Special Projects Kristen Ingram joins CIEES after 13 years as a dedicated Education Specialist at TTAC ODU, where she worked to bridge research to practice to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Kristen's project leadership led to enhancing TTAC's digital learning and resource management, including implementing a learning management system and integrating e-learning authoring tools to increase learner engagement, offering the capability to produce a range of asynchronous learning content types. She spearheaded the use of data analytics to drive continuous improvement of TTAC's digital products. Kristen brings an in-depth understanding of special education systems within regional and state-level contexts, as well as experience facilitating teams through program improvement and systems change initiatives, to this new role with special projects.

AnnMarie Jones TTACajones@ttacodu.org a27jones@odu.edu Learn More TTAC, VTSS Systems Coach AnnMarie is a VTSS Systems Coach with the TTAC ODU. She joined TTAC ODU with 13 years of experience as a secondary English and Language Arts teacher, along with serving as a VTSS leader at the school and division-level. In addition to being a classroom educator, she has helped develop ELA curriculum at division-level. Being an educator and a parent of Virginia learners, she is passionate about supporting Virginia's schools, teachers, students, and families, promoting equitable access to effective instruction and building literacy for all learners.

Robin McCracken TTACrmccrack@odu.edu TTAC

Tracy Murray CIEEStmurray@odu.edu Learn More CIEES, Program Support Technician Senior Tracy is a senior program support technician at CIEES. Tracy has worked for Commonwealth Special Education Endorsement Program (CSEEP) for 16 wonderful years, helping to run the day-to-day aspects of CSEEP. It gives her a great sense of pride helping those in the front lines of special education… our teachers!

Ynez Peterson TTACypeterso@odu.edu Learn More TTAC Ynez is the assistive technology specialist for T-TAC ODU. Ynez has over 28 years’ experience being an occupational therapist and assistive technology specialist in the Virginia Public School System supporting students, their teachers, and families to use assistive technology during learning activities. She shares her passion for working with students with disabilities by consulting with teachers, helping students achieve their highest potential, presenting at local and national occupational therapy and assistive technology conferences, instructing college students, developing online instructional training modules, and creating professional development opportunities for educators and community partners. Ynez has presented on occupational therapy and/or assistive technology solutions for students with disabilities at AOTA, Closing the Gap, ATIA, SHAV, the VOTA School System Symposium and several local Virginia conferences. Publications include The Gift of Reading for Closing the Gap Solutions Magazine, Feb/March 2010, You May Have a Wii, But Wii Use More in Closing the Gap Solutions Magazine, April/May 2010 edition, and Including Student Voice in IEP Meetings Through Use of Assistive Technology in TEACHING Exceptional Children. Always striving to find a low-tech solution to increase student independence, she placed third in the 32nd Annual Maddak Awards (Competition for Innovative Product Design) in 2006. She is the 2014 recipient of the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association (VOTA) Award of Merit for her contributions to occupational therapy scholarship and practice.

Crystal Pope, PhD TTACcmpope@odu.edu Learn More TTAC, Mathematics Specialist Crystal is a Mathematics Specialist at TTAC ODU. She previously served as a middle school math teacher, math instructional coach, secondary math program specialist, and building administrator. Her diverse background includes working with special populations, rural populations, and English Language learners. Her areas of focus are specially designed instruction, student engagement, mathematical foundations and connections, and critical thinking.

Pat Pulliam CIEESpwoolard@odu.edu CIEES

Erin Saxon TTACesaxon@odu.edu Learn More TTAC, Early Childhood/Literacy Educational Specialist Erin is an educational specialist at the TTAC ODU. The scope of Erin’s work includes providing training and technical assistance across VDOE Superintendent’s Study Regions 2 and 3 in the areas of early childhood special education and early literacy. She joined TTAC ODU with experience as an early childhood special education teacher and as a division wide ECSE teacher specialist. In addition to her role with TTAC, Erin is an adjunct instructor for the Department of Communication Disorders and Special Education at ODU. She is encouraged by collaborative efforts within the field that aim to improve outcomes for children and students with disabilities.

Danielle Sentz TTACdsentz@odu.edu Learn More TTAC, Early Childhood Educational Specialist Danielle Sentz is the newest addition to the Early Childhood Education Specialist trio at TTAC ODU. With a dually endorsed master's degree in Inclusive Early Childhood Education, she comes from the public school system as a practitioner with experience in Early Childhood Special Education and PreK-4 Inclusion. Having completed both undergraduate and graduate degrees with James Madison University, she has a passion for the inclusion of each and every child, in any environment. Alongside her Co-Teaching partner, she was part of the first PreK team EVER to be a part of VDOE’s Excellence in Co-Teaching Initiative in effort to put PreK on the map!

Shannon Smith TTACsduncan@odu.edu Learn More TTAC, Office Services Specialist Shannon works as support staff for VTSS/PBIS. She began working for T-TAC in 2001. During those 20 years, she has learned so much about special education and the important role the TTAC ODU team plays in supporting special education in the public school system.

Sheryl Spence CIEESsspence@odu.edu CIEES, Part-time Data Support

Kathy Thumm TTACkthumm@odu.edu Learn More TTAC Kathy produces professional development materials for training workshops and inputs data for the VDOE database at TTAC ODU. In addition, she is a pottery instructor at the Hermitage Museum. Previous experience includes graphic design, public affairs, volunteerism, and non-profit management. Her passion is pottery and graphic design.

Amanda Working, Ph.D. CIEESaworking@odu.edu Learn More CIEES Amanda is a research analyst for CIEES. She supports center activities including development of research and evaluation designs, data collection, data management, data analysis, report generation, and grant writing. As a program evaluator, she serves on the evaluation, leadership, and implementation teams for Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS). Additionally, she supports alignment efforts at the Virginia Department of Education through collaboration with Office of Special Education Program (OSEP) Improvement.

Michelle Young, DPT, CPACC CIEESm3young@odu.edu Learn More CIEES, Center Technology Specialist Michelle serves in the role of Center Technology Specialist for CIEES. She spent 18 years in the healthcare industry as a physical therapist and decided to make a change into the tech industry. She served as a technology apprentice for a year at MAXX Potential and was trained with web development, cyber security, and website ADA compliance and remediation. The combination of her work in physical therapy and tech has allowed her to fulfill her passion for being an advocate for people with disabilities in both the physical and digital world. She is a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC).

ODU

Director Emeriti/Senior
Advisors

Dr. Stephen W. Tonelson

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Dr. Robert A. Gable

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Dr. Stephen W. Tonelson

Steve is a senior advisor/director emeritus of CIEES. He earned the status of emeritus professor of early childhood and special education at Old Dominion University when he retired from the university in 2022. He earned his EdD from the University of Virginia and has served on the faculty at the University of Virginia in both the College of Education and the College of Medicine. He began his career in education as a third-grade teacher and has teaching experience in general education and in special education. Steve has published numerous articles, monographs, and book chapters addressing the education of children at risk and children with mild disabilities and their families. He has extensive experience in program evaluation, especially in the areas of substance abuse and individuals and families with special needs.

Dr. Robert A. Gable

Bob is a senior advisor/director emeritus of CIEES. He earned the status of emeritus professor of special education and the Constance and Colgate Darden Professor of Special Education at Old Dominion University when he retired from the university in 2023. He earned his PhD from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University and has served on the faculty at Vanderbilt University and the University of Pittsburgh. He began his career as a special education classroom teacher and served as principal of several alternative education programs. Bob has published extensively on academic assessment and instruction, functional behavioral assessment and positive behavioral interventions and supports, collaboration and consultation in the schools, and practical ways to differentiate instruction for students with diverse learning and behavioral needs. He was president of the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD) and a Fulbright Senior Scholar.

Center for Implementation and Evaluation of Education Systems

Director Emeriti/Senior Advisors

Director Emeriti/Senior
Advisors