Durham Public Schools PL

Presenters: Ebony Ross | ebony_ross@dpsnc.net | McKinney-Vento Coordinator; Deja Flythe | deja_flythe@dpsnc.net | McKinney-Vento Social Worker; Martina Dunford | martina_dunford@dpsnc.net | McKinney-Vento Youth Case Manager; Dr. Melissa Watson | melissa_watson@dpsnc.net | Director of Student Alternatives & Supports
Location: Riverside High School Room A217
Description: This session equips school social workers with updated tools and processes to more effectively identify and support students experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act. Participants will learn how to recognize early indicators of housing instability, apply updated identification procedures, and navigate cross-departmental collaboration to ensure timely access to academic and wraparound services. Emphasis will be placed on refining referral pathways and engaging families with empathy and confidentiality.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Counselors, Social Emotional, School Social Work
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Assistant Principals, Directors, Principals, School Counselors, Assistant Directors, Coordinators, Psychologists, Social Workers

Presenters: Gradesa Lockhart | gradesa_lockhart@dpsnc.net | Director
Location: Riverside High School Room A210
Description: Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health/addiction challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders including ADHD, and eating disorders. By the end of Part II of the course: Participants will be able to explain the appropriate steps of the YMHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) for non-crisis situations. Participants will be able to explain the appropriate steps of the YMHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) for crisis situations. Participants will be expected to complete the coursework in order to receive their official 3 year-credential from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Health and Safety, Student Wellness and Advocacy
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Assistant Principals, Principals, Teachers

Presenters: Dr. Iwinosa Idahor | iwinosa_idahor@dpsnc.net | Equity Affairs; Keaundra Robinson | keaundra_robinson@dpsnc.net | Equity Affairs; Shaneka Bynum | bynum1985@gmail.com | Community Partner; Dr. Brittani Clark | bgflcollective@gmail.com | Community Partner; Malenia Swinton | maleniaswinton13@gmail.com | Community Partner
Location: Riverside High School Room C231
Description: Literacy is the key to understanding the world around us through meaningful engagement with ideas in all forms. This session will focus on mobilizing and empowering teachers to educate and serve students--especially the most vulnerable among us--around reading as a liberatory practice that can connect and transform.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE
Topic(s): Equity, Culture and Climate, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Culturally Responsive Practices, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Assistants, Instructional Coaches, Teachers

Presenters: Alycia Crews | alycia_crews@dpsnc.net | Teaching and Learning Coach
Location: Riverside High School Room D240
Description: By the end of the professional development session, participants will be able to implement at least three strategies to enhance student engagement and effectively monitor student-centered learning in their classrooms, as demonstrated through observed classroom practices and self-assessment.
Subject Area(s): Digital Learning Standards, Mathematics
Topic(s): Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Assistants, Teachers

Presenters: Makenzie Yarborough | makenzie.yarborough@hmhco.com | HMH Coach
Location: Riverside High School Room C238
Description: This session is designed for teachers who may not know how to effectively utilize some of the components HMH. The facilitator will provide an overview of Structured Literacy for K-2 teachers and foundational literacy skills for grades 3-5.
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, DPS Adopted Resources, Explicit Teaching, Assessment for Learning, Beginning Teacher Support, Differentiation/Scaffolding, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Assistant Principals, Instructional Assistants, Principals, Mentors, Teachers

Presenters: Jewel Barnwell | jewel_barnwell@dpsnc.net | Teaching & Learning Coach
Location: Riverside High School Room C234
Description: In this session, teachers will learn to use mCLASS data to create targeted small groups for improving literacy in K-5 ELA classrooms. Participants will explore how to interpret data, group students, plan effective lessons, and monitor progress to drive student growth.
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): MTSS, Data Analysis
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Sparkle | sparkle_howard@dpsnc.net | Presenter
Location: Riverside High School Room C237
Description: This session will redirect teachers to pour into themselves before they can help someone else and consider how to recenter and refocus. What atmosphere are you creating for yourself and your students?
Subject Area(s): Healthful Living, *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Culturally Responsive Practices, Leadership
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Coordinators, Instructional Coaches, Facilitators, Teachers

Presenters: Amy Miller | amy_miller@dpsnc.net | Director; Angelo DelliSanti | angelo.dellisanti@capturingkidshearts.org | Vendor; Felicia Sledge | felicia_sledge@dpsnc.net | Specialist; Sonya West | sonya_west@dpsnc.net | Specialist
Location: Riverside High School Room 242
Description: This is the 2 day session on Capturing Kids Hearts for untrained staff members at the following schools: Lowes Grove, Eastway, Burton, Lakewood Elem, Carrington, Murray-Massenburg, Oak Grove, YE Smith and CC Spaulding. If you are not on staff at these schools, your registration will be removed.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): MTSS
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Coordinators, Instructional Coaches, Interventionists, Assistant Coordinators, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Instructional Assistants, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Tomeka _Ward-Satterfield | tomeka_wardsatter@dpsnc.net | Director; Michelle Hodges Guarino | mguarino@cfssnc.gov | Asst Director-Programs, NC Center for Safer Schools; Laverne Mattocks-Perry | laverne_mattocks@dpsnc.net | Sr. Executive Director SSS
Location: Staff Development Center M1
Description: Training will include Building a required BTAM implementation and monitoring team (as required in HB 605), Understanding Behavioral Threats, Risk Factors and Warning Signs, Assessment Protocols, Team Approach and Requirements, Intervention and Monitoring, Legal and Ethical Considerations, and Safety & Intervention Planning. The training will also discuss the implementation and monitoring of the fidelity of behavioral threat assessments.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Safety, Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Security
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Assistant Principals, Principals

Presenters: Renee Ancora | renee_ancora@dpsnc.net | Presenter; Krista Saunders | krista_saunders@dpsnc.net | Presenter; Elaina Bradley | elaina_bradley@dpsnc.net | Presenter
Location: Other... Old Northern High School (117 Wilkinson Road, Durham)
Description: Staff will learn strategies to prevent problem behaviors, verbal deescalation skills, disengagement and holding skills, as a last resort.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific)

Presenters: Matt Hickson | matthew.hickson@modernclassrooms.org | Director
Location: Riverside High School Media Center
Description: This session is ONLY for elementary grades 3-5 math teachers who have signed up for the year-long Modern Classrooms/Eureka2 Partnership. During this 2 day summer training, educators will receive access to a full year of adapted Eureka2 Math​​ materials and will learn practical methods to use ​the Modern Classrooms approach with E​M2 to meet every learner’s needs.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): DPS Adopted Resources
Targeted Instructional Grades: 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Gloria Sanchez | gloria_sanchez@dpsnc.net | SEL & Mental Health Coordinator
Location: Riverside High School Room A219
Description: Trauma-informed school training will teach staff the knowledge, skills, and mindset to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for all students, particularly those who may have experienced trauma. This involves understanding the impact of trauma on learning and behavior, recognizing trauma symptoms, and implementing evidence-based practices to promote healing and resilience.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Communication Skills, Social Emotional, Culturally Responsive Practices
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Assistant Principals, Coaches, Instructional Assistants, Coordinators, Facilitators, Instructional Coaches, Interventionists, Mentors, Teachers

Presenters: Shaniqua Hood | shaniqua_hood@dpsnc.net | Teaching & Learning Coach; Arthur Hicks | arthur_hicksiii@dpsnc.net | Coach; Lucretia Smith | lucretia_smith@dpsnc.net | Coach;
Location: Riverside High School Room C237
Description: In this session, participants will explore the new Student Information System, Infinite Campus. Using a demo account, educators will have the opportunity to log in, navigate key features, and begin building familiarity with the platform. This hands-on session is designed to help staff feel more confident and prepared as we transition to Infinite Campus.
Subject Area(s): Digital Learning Standards
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Digital Teaching and Learning, PowerSchool-Infinite Campus, Assessment for Learning, Standards Aligned Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Amanda Watson | amanda_watson@dpsnc.net | Pre K/K teacher; Christie Pennell | christie_pennell@dpsnc.net | Pre K/ K teacher
Location: Riverside High School Room C239
Description: This professional learning series explores the foundational principles of the Science of Reading (SoR), focusing on integrating evidence-based instructional practices into classroom instruction. Each session targets key components of skilled reading using Scarborough’s Reading Rope and The Simple View of Reading as frameworks.
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): Assessment for Learning, Curriculum and Instruction, DPS Adopted Resources, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Interventionists, Instructional Assistants