Welcome new T/TAC Program Specialists!
Sharron Haggett, Program Specialist, Assistive Technology and Intellectual Disabilities
Sharron Haggett joins Virginia Commonwealth University’s Training and Technical Assistance Center with 25 years of experience in education. Her career has included roles as a paraprofessional, general education teacher, special education teacher, hospital education teacher, instructional specialist, assistive technology specialist, and educational consultant. Sharron earned a Bachelor of Science in Developmental Psychology and a Virginia teaching license at Christopher Newport University, followed by a Master of Arts in special education (specific learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, intellectual disabilities) through The College of William and Mary. She is a trained Wilson Language Instructor, is certified as an Assistive Technology Professional by the Rehabilitation and Engineering Society of North America, and is an alumna of William and Mary Law School’s Institute for Special Education Advocacy. Sharron values opportunities to learn from and work with multi-specialty teams.
Sharron was born in England and enjoys traveling home to be with family and friends as often as possible. She has three adult children and a husband with whom she enjoys home renovation projects. In spare time, you’ll find Sharron enjoying the outdoors, completing puzzles, water activities, reading, and traveling.
Kayla Malaney, Assistive Technology and Intellectual Disabilities
Kayla Malaney joins Virginia Commonwealth University’s Training and Technical Assistance Center with five years of teaching experience in program classrooms for students with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities at the elementary and secondary levels. She has served as a special education teacher in Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and Albemarle County. Kayla received her Bachelors of Science in Special Education through Miami University of Ohio, in addition to an Autism Spectrum Disorder Certificate, and her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction through George Mason University. She is highly interested in evidence-based practices, advocacy, assistive technology, and accessibility. In her free time, Kayla enjoys getting together with family and friends, playing co-rec sports, and spending time in nature.
Shahida Persad, Program Specialist, Curriculum and Instruction
Shahida Persad joins the TTAC at VCU team as a Program Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders and a Master of Science in Education in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. In 2017 Shahida became National Board Certified as an Exceptional Needs Specialist. For more than 20 years, Shahida worked in special education, teaching in several Wisconsin schools serving students with emotional and behavioral disorders and autism, and supporting educators as an elementary program support teacher and evaluator. After moving to Virginia, she taught special education at West Salem Elementary and G.W. Carver Elementary in Salem City Schools. Shahida spent six years as Project Coordinator for Radford University TTAC. Most recently, she served as Coordinator of Special Education at Bettie Weaver Elementary in Chesterfield County Public Schools. Shahida is eager to bring her passion for literacy and fostering positive behavior to this work and to partner with educators and teams across the region to support meaningful learning and positive outcomes for all students.