Durham Public Schools PL

Presenters: Amy Miller | amy_miller@dpsnc.net | Director; Felicia Sledge | felicia_sledge@dpsnc.net | Specialist; Sonya West | sonya_west@dpsnc.net | Specialist
Location: Riverside High School Room B223
Description: This session will guide school teams to unpack the use of effective function-based interventions for common behavioral difficulties. Participants will learn how the fundamentals of behavior analysis can be used to pair students with effective behavior intervention at Tier Two within an MTSS framework.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Health and Safety, MTSS
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 Coordinators, Assistant Principals, Coaches, Directors, Instructional Assistants, Interpreters, Itinerant Teachers, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Superintendents, Assistant Directors, Assistant Superintendents, Coordinators, Facilitators, Instructional Coaches, Interventionists, Mentors, Psychologists, Social Workers, Teachers

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: Raelysha Butler James | raelysha_butlerjames@dpsnc.net | Teaching and Learning Coach
Location: Riverside High School Room A215
Description: This session introduces some high-impact teaching strategies (HITS), which are the research-based best instructional practices that should be incorporated in our classrooms.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th 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): Social Emotional Learning, 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, Facilitators, Instructional Coaches, Teachers

Presenters: Amy Miller | amy_miller@dpsnc.net | Director; Angelo DelliSanti | angelo.dellisanti@capturingkidshearts.org | Vendor
Location: Riverside High School Room Media Center
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): Culture and Climate
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Assistant Coordinators, Assistant Principals, Instructional Assistants, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Coordinators, Facilitators, Instructional Coaches, Interventionists, Teachers

Presenters: Amy Miller | amy_miller@dpsnc.net | Director; Felicia Sledge | felicia_sledge@dpsnc.net | Specialist; Sonya West | sonya_west@dpsnc.net | Specialist
Location: Riverside High School Room B224
Description: This session is meant to be a natural extension of the other three sessions within this MTSS behavior strand. Participants (ideally school teams) should have attended at least 2 of the other sessions in order to benefit from this session. The knowledge from the previous MTSS behavior sessions will be used by participants to craft an effective plan for managing behavior proactively in the first 10 days of school.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Health and Safety, MTSS
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 Coordinators, Assistant Principals, Coaches, Directors, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Superintendents, Assistant Directors, Assistant Superintendents, Coordinators, Interventionists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Teachers

Presenters: Gloria Sanchez | gloria_sanchez@dpsnc.net | SEL/Mental Health Coordinator; Dr. Cherice Artis | cherice_artis@dpsnc.net | School Counseling Coordinator; Kafi Hill | kafi_hill@dpsnc.net | Lead School Social Worker; Kourt Royster | Kourtney_royster@dpsnc.net | Mental Health Specialist
Location: Riverside High School Room B221
Description: This session is designed for professional school counselors and school social workers who serve as field supervisors and mentees for interns and early-career professionals in student support services. Effective supervision is more than oversight—it’s a dynamic, reflective, and intentional process that shapes the professional identities of future practitioners. This session is REQUIRED for all staff who want to supervise an intern.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): School Counselors, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Leadership, School Social Work
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: School Counselors, Social Workers

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