Welcome to the 2026-2027

Implementation Science Academy!

During the 2023-2024 school year, VDOE and VTSS-RIC partnered with national technical assistance partners to develop the country’s first state led Implementation Science Academy (ISA). During the 2024-2025 school year, we partnered with five new school divisions to participate in ISA, and during the 2025-2026 school year, we partnered with eight school divisions.

During 2026-2027, we have partnered with 14 divisions that will be split across three cohorts! Your divisions will select high leverage practices in the areas of Assessment and Social/Emotional/Behavioral based on the data-driven needs of your divisions. VDOE staff and VTSS coaches will work with your teams to support with selection of contextually appropriate, evidence-based practices which will be the anchor for their work within ISA.

List of Participating Divisions by Cohort
26-27 Cohort 1	26-27 Cohort 2	26-27 Cohort 3
King William Page Frederick Chesapeake Sussex	Buckingham Cumberland Amelia Surry	Williamsburg-James City Roanoke Martinsville Powhatan

ISA allows us to address MTSS implementation and supporting integration of HLPs/EBPs into division practice while also building coaching skills and capacity at the state and division levels.

Meet Your Facilitators

Headshot of Erin Sturgis

Dr. Erin Sturgis, PMP , PMI-ACP

MTSS Special Education Specialist

Virginia Department of Education

erin.sturgis@doe.virginia.gov

Headshot of Jodie Soracco

Dr. Jodie Soracco, BCBA, LBA

Director, VTSS-RIC

soraccoja@vcu.edu

Headshot of Anna Hebb

Dr. Anna Hebb

Local Education Agency (LEA) Lead VTSS Systems Coach

hebbal@vcu.edu

Headshot of Nicole Hollins-Mosley

Dr. Nicole Hollins-Mosley, BCBA-D, LBA

Assistant Director

hollinsn@vcu.edu

Headshot of Kate Jackson

Kate Jackson

VTSS State Coach

jacksonk22@vcu.edu

Headshot of Rhonda Jackson Smith

Rhonda Jackson-Smith

VTSS State Coach

rjacksonsmit@vcu.edu

Headshot of Amber Jones

Amber Jones

VTSS State Coach

jonesa82@vcu.edu

Headshot of Japeira Keys

Japeira Keys

VTSS Specialist

Virginia Department of Education

Japeira.Keys@doe.virginia.gov

Heads

Dr. Charlome Pierce

VTSS State Coach

crpierce@vcu.edu

Headshot of Sherol Southerland

Dr. Sherol Southerland

State Education Agency (SEA) Lead VTSS Systems Coach

slsoutherland@vcu.edu

Headshot of Roberta Thayer-Smith

Dr. Roberta Thayer-Smith

VTSS State Coach

rathayersmith@vcu.edu

Navigating the course

On the left side of this page, you'll find your navigation options for this course. A brief explanation of each is below:

Home. The Home navigation link will bring you back to the introduction page of this course (where you are now).
Modules. This is the most important link in your course! The Modules page is where you'll spend the vast majority of your time in this course. Each session of Implementation Science Academy will be set up as its own Module. They will be published the morning of each session.
Announcements. Regular course news and announcements will be posted to this page. The most recent announcements will also appear on the course home page.

If you need help

Contact your facilitator when:

You don't understand an assignment.
A page or resource is not available.
For support in file submission, visit Canvas's help: How do I upload a file as an assignment submission in Canvas? (via canvaslms.com).

Contact VCU Support when:

You run into an issue while in Canvas. Begin by selecting the "Help" button, located on the left-side Global Navigation menu. Then, select from one of the support resource items within the menu. You can also contact the VCU Help Desk by visiting ts.vcu.edu and clicking IT Support Center.

Note: If you are using the Canvas Student app, please review the following Canvas Student Guides for additional support:
- How do I get help with the Student app on my iOS device?
- How do I get help with the Canvas Student app on my Android device?

Finished reading the Home Page?

Click Modules in the course navigation.