Bio: 

Jaye lives and works from her hometown of Roanoke, Virginia. In addition to her work at the Partnership, she serves as a part-time administrator for early childhood special education meetings in Roanoke City Schools, and as a consultant and trainer for the Virginia Department of Education and other organizations. When not working, she is most likely in a choir rehearsal (Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Choir, Roanoke Valley Choral Society, Opera Roanoke), walking her neighborhood, or in a Jazzercise class. Jaye and her semi-retired attorney husband, Hugh Wellons, keep up with two amazing adult daughters, one daughter-in-law (also amazing), a dilute tortoiseshell kitty, and a sweet Goldendoodle dog.

Professional Experience:

• PD Essentials State Coordinator (part-time), VCU Training and Technical Assistance Center, Partnership for People with Disabilities, 2013-present
• Workforce Ready Project, Early Childhood Content Expert: Faculty Institutes (part-time), 2023-present
• Preschool Special Education Administrator (part-time): Roanoke City Public Schools, 2014-present
• Consultant: Virginia Department of Education, Child Care Aware of Virginia, others, 2013-present
• Supervisor of Preschool and Special Education, Roanoke City Public Schools, 2006-2013
• Special Education Coordinator, Roanoke County Public Schools Hidden Valley High School, 2004-2006
• Associate Professor, Early Childhood Special Education, Radford University, 1998-2004
• Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Special Education, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1996-1998
• Director of Inservice Training and Technical Assistance, Virginia Institute for Developmental Disabilities, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1994-1996
• Specialist in Early Childhood Special Education, Virginia Department of Education, 1990-1994
• Lipman School Director, Memphis State University, 1984-1989
• Supervising Teacher, Early Childhood Special Education, Children's School, Memphis State University, 1983-1984 Preschool Handicapped Teacher, Roanoke County Public Schools, 1981-1983
• Behavior Adjustment Teacher, Roanoke County Public Schools, 1980-1981

Partnership Projects:

• PD Essentials/Virginia Cross-Sector Professional Development
• Workforce Ready

Expertise Areas:

• Training Design and Delivery (PreService and InService)
• Practice-Based Coaching
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Early Childhood Education
• Inclusion

Education:

• EdD in Special Education
  University of Memphis (Memphis State University)
• MEd in Special Education
  James Madison University
• BS in Psychology
  Virginia Tech

Certifications and Licensure:

• Virginia Postgraduate Professional Certificate: Endorsements in Administration and Supervision, Supervisor of Special Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Emotional Disturbance, Psychology
• Online Virtual Designer: Training Magazine Live + Online

Accomplishments:

Designed and lead "Essentials for Early Childhood Professional Development Providers," a train-the-trainer series of six virtual and in-person trainings for early childhood leaders. Developed a virtual model for Practice-Based Coaching training for Virginia's early childhood leaders. Offer training in six virtual sessions. Designed and lead a six-session virtual Community of Learning for Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education teachers

Awards:

Outstanding Teaching Award: Radford University's College of Education and Human Development Million Dollar Circle Award Radford University Nancy H. Fallen Professional of the Year: Virginia Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children

Professional Affiliations:

CEC: Council for Exceptional Children

DEC: Division for Early Childhood

NAEYC: National Association for the Education of Young Children

VAAEYC: Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children

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