Application Open! Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education Service Delivery Model Community of Learning: Fall 2026

Description:

The Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education (IECSE) Service Delivery Model Community of Learning (CoL), provided by George Mason University’s Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) on behalf of Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), will begin September 2026. The purpose of the Community of Learning (CoL) is to deliver targeted technical assistance and professional development to teachers endorsed in early childhood special education (ECSE) who provide special education services using the itinerant model.

In an itinerant model, an ECSE-endorsed teacher travels between classrooms or programs to consult with general education teachers and provide direct services to individual children. While the general education teacher serves as the primary teacher, the itinerant ECSE teacher designs specialized learning opportunities to address each child’s goals as indicated in their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Together, the two teachers determine how to embed learning opportunities throughout the day and how to monitor the child’s progress to ensure learning.

The CoL will focus on building the necessary competencies to implement high-quality itinerant services to support the active and meaningful participation of young children with disabilities within the general education environment. Participants will be provided copies of A Guide to Itinerant ECSE Services and other critical resources and will complete activities designed to enhance understanding and implementation of the model.

Dates: The CoL will be virtual. Teachers will be assigned to a regional cohort with sessions scheduled on Tuesday afternoons from 3-4:30 p.m. The seven-session series will meet weekly on Tuesdays, beginning on September 22, 2026 and ending on October 27, 2026, with a reflection session on Tuesday, November 17th.  An implementation support session led by regional TTAC coordinators will follow at a time to be announced.

Requirements: Participants are to attend all sessions and must currently be providing services using the itinerant model. The participating itinerant teacher will need internet access and a computer with a camera and microphone to access Zoom. Throughout the CoL, participants will be expected to complete practice and preparation activities designed to enhance understanding and implementation of the model. 

To Apply: Complete and submit the Fall 2026 Itinerant ECSE Service Delivery Model Community of Learning Application by September 4, 2026. Consideration for acceptance will be based on meeting all requirements, date of application submission, and representation across the state.

Recertification: Points for educators working towards licensure renewal (recertification) may be awarded for participation. A Certificate of Completion providing documentation of the activity and clock/contact hours will be provided for the online CoL and for completion of specified assignments.

Questions: Questions regarding CoL content and participation should be emailed to Dr. Christan Pankiewicz (Coogle) at ccoogle@gmu.edu.; or to Dr. Dawn Hendricks, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator, at Dawn.Hendricks@doe.virginia.gov.

Questions regarding the online application process should be emailed to Jackie Kilkeary, Early Childhood Coordinator, VDOE’s TTAC at George Mason University, at JKilkear@gmu.edu.