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Durham Public Schools PL
Welcome to the Durham Public Schools Professional Learning Schedule of Professional Learning! Here you will find a comprehensive list of PL sessions occurring throughout our district.

If you are looking for on-demand PL, click here to view the DPS Asynchronous PL Course Catalog.
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Wednesday, July 30
 

8:15am EDT

[By Invitation ONLY] Day 3 of 4: CTE Focused SIOP Training (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) | Facilitated by English as a Second Language | Career Technical Education | Other... Old Northern (117 Tom Wilkinson Road Durham, NC 27712)
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:15am - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Sashi Rayasam | [email protected] | Director-ESL; Katelin McClure | [email protected] | Secondary Instructional Facilitator-ESL; Wendi Love | [email protected] | Instructional Facilitator-ESL; Mia Morris | [email protected] | CTE Lead Coordinator; Darian Harris | [email protected] | Director of Career and Technical Education
Location: Other... Old Northern (117 Tom Wilkinson Road Durham, NC 27712)
Description: SIOP Training (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) is designed to help educators effectively teach English Learners (ELs) alongside their peers by integrating language development with academic content. Through practical strategies and structured lesson planning, participants learn how to make grade-level content accessible while promoting English language acquisition. SIOP training supports educators in creating engaging, inclusive classrooms where all students can thrive.
Subject Area(s): CTE
Topic(s): English Learner Services, Curriculum and Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:15am - 3:30pm EDT
Other... Old Northern (117 Tom Wilkinson Road Durham, NC 27712)

8:30am EDT

Differentiation in a Montessori Classroom (MS ONLY) | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Advanced Academics-AIG; Exceptional Children; Lucas Middle School; Magnet Programs; Mentors; Principal Supervisors; Specialized Services; Student Support Services; Arts
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:30am - 11:30am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: CMSTEMP | [email protected] | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY THIS SESSION IS SOLELY FOCUSED ON MIDDLE SCHOOL INSTRUCTION
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Coordinators, Directors, Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Teachers
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:30am - 11:30am EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

8:30am EDT

Seminars in the Montessori Classroom | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Advanced Academics-AIG; George Watts Elementary School; Little River Elementary School; Lucas Middle School; Mentors; Arts Education; Beginning Teachers Program; Curriculum and Instru
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:30am - 11:30am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Holly Hardin | [email protected] | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Rebecca Chafatelli | [email protected] | Presenter; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Socratic seminars are an integral part of any secondary Montessori classroom- science, math, humanities, elective courses, or just general classroom spaces- but aspects can be introduced into the upper El setting as well. Seminars encourage discussion amongst students and deeper thinking on a topic and can look a variety of ways- you can have a seminar after reading a shared text, a poem, music or video, or even a picture! We will also share about what a silent seminar is and how you might incorporate it into your class. You will participate in a silent seminar, a Socratic seminar, and have time to plan and write your own seminar piece for your own classroom during this session. 
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Communication Skills, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, School Counselors, Teachers
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:30am - 11:30am EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

8:30am EDT

Principles of Outdoor Learning In Montessori Environments (ES ONLY) | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Advanced Academics-AIG; Exceptional Children; George Watts Elementary School; Little River Elementary School; Magnet Programs; Mentors; Specialized Serv
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:30am - 11:30am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Geoff Sheelen | [email protected] | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY 8:30-9:30 Little River 10:00-11:30 Hub Farm (117 Milton Rd, Durham NC 27712) Principles of outdoor learning History of programming at the Hub Farm Vision for the future of the programming at the Hub Farm Guided tour of Durham Public Schools’ unique outdoor learning campus Opportunities for Q&A with Geoff Discussion on the proposed plan for future programming at the Hub Farm
Subject Area(s): CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Outdoor Learning, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Principals, Teachers
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:30am - 11:30am EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

8:30am EDT

DEEP DIVE--Montessori Lower Elementary Geometry Instruction | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Beginning Teachers Program; Curriculum and Instruction; George Watts Elementary School; Little River Elementary School; Mentors; Morehead Elementary School | Lu
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:30am - 11:30am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Katie Mosquera | [email protected] | Presenter; Seth Webb | [email protected] | Facilitator; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Rediscover the beauty, logic, and transformative power of Montessori mathematics and geometry - revisiting how math and geometry become tools for discovery, allowing students to construct their understanding through hands-on materials and guided exploration. Rooted in Montessori’s principles of sensorial learning, reasoning, and abstraction, participants will deepen their practice with essential materials and strategies that empower children to uncover mathematical and geometric truths for themselves. Participants will renew their understanding of math and geometry, not as isolated subjects, but as universal languages—tools that help children uncover patterns, relationships, and the interconnectedness of the universe, fulfilling the deeper purpose of Cosmic Education. The morning Lower Elementary sessions will focus on building fluency, vocabulary, and multi-step reasoning through core math and foundational geometry materials. The Upper Elementary afternoon sessions will Emphasize abstraction, advanced operations, and deriving relationships in math and geometry through discovery.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 2nd Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Instructional Assistants, Principals, Teachers
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:30am - 11:30am EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

8:30am EDT

Supporting Multilingual Learners in a Montessori Environment | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Advanced Academics-AIG; Exceptional Children; George Watts Elementary School; Little River Elementary School; Lucas Middle School; Magnet Programs; Mentors; Pr
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:30am - 4:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Victor Hiraldo | [email protected] | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Katie McClure | [email protected] | Presenter; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Participants will learn about the experience of being an English Learner, the language acquisition process, and its relationship to the Montessori model. They will explore culturally relevant teaching practices and learn instructional strategies that teach academic language in the content. There will also be time allotted to plan and create works to use for English Learners in the Montessori classroom.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Social Emotional, Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Assistants, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
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, Directors, Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Instructional Assistants, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Teachers
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:30am - 4:00pm EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

8:30am EDT

Novice Montessorian Boot Camp--PART 1 (Primary and Lower Elementary ONLY) | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Beginning Teachers Program; Curriculum and Instruction; George Watts Elementary School; Little River Elementary School; Mentors | Lucas Middle Sch
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:30am - 4:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Teresa Van Acker | [email protected] | Presenter; Winema Jackson | [email protected] | Presenter; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Practical, hands-on, hard-core, focused time for teachers and IAs with limited Montessori experience or training diving into a Montessori Primary or Lower Elementary classroom
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Instructional Assistants, Teachers
Wednesday July 30, 2025 8:30am - 4:00pm EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

9:00am EDT

Benchmarks: Tracker Set-up - Year Round Calendar | Facilitated by Research and Accountability | Open District-Wide | Hamlin Road Room 110
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Michelle Tuck Thomas | [email protected] | Director of Assessments & Accountability
Location: Hamlin Road Room 110
Description: To provide training for school-based Testing Coordinators (TC) on setting up trackers in Mastery Connect.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Assessments-Data-Accountability
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Back-up Test Coordinators, Test Coordinators, Benchmark Test Coordinators
Wednesday July 30, 2025 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Hamlin Road Room 110

9:00am EDT

Planning for MTSS Systems that Work | Facilitated by Student Support Services | Open District-Wide | Bacon Street 54
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Felicia Sledge | [email protected] | Specialist; Sonya West | [email protected] | Specialist; Laverne Mattocks-Perry | [email protected] | Senior Executive Director
Location: Bacon Street 54
Description: School Leaders will be exposed to various approaches to planning systems that will support and sustain MTSS in their schools. They will leave with an understanding of developing an implementation plan for an effective and efficient MTSS at their school.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): MTSS
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Interventionists, Leads, Assistant Principals, Coaches, Facilitators, Principals
Wednesday July 30, 2025 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Bacon Street 54

9:00am EDT

Forest View Summer Leadership Planning | Facilitated by Forest View Elementary School | Forest View Elementary School | Forest View Elementary School Media Center
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 9:00am - 2:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: James Boyce | [email protected] | Principal
Location: Forest View Elementary School Media Center
Description: Leadership members of Forest View reflect, collaborate, and plan.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Leadership, Safety, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Assessment for Learning, Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analysis, Human Resources, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific), Leads
Wednesday July 30, 2025 9:00am - 2:30pm EDT
Forest View Elementary School Media Center

11:00am EDT

Work Session: EOC Course Codes, 10-20 Day Drop, Credit Recovery, Online- Year-Round Only | Facilitated by Research and Accountability | Open District-Wide | Hamlin Road 110
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 11:00am - 1:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Michelle Tuck Thomas | [email protected] | Testing & Accountability Specialist
Location: Hamlin Road 110
Description: To provide training on the processes for ensuring students are enrolled and dropped properly from EOC courses.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Assessments-Data-Accountability
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Back-up Test Coordinators, Data Managers, School Counselors, Test Coordinators
Wednesday July 30, 2025 11:00am - 1:00pm EDT
Hamlin Road 110

1:00pm EDT

Book Chats | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Advanced Academics-AIG; English as a Second Language; Equity; Healthful Living and Physical Education; Lakewood Montessori Middle School; Principal Supervisors; Specialized Services; Student Support Services;
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Kara Watson | [email protected] | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator; Lorie Martin-Massink | [email protected] | Presenter
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Book Chats! is a program created by Lakewood Montessori educators to help students build goal setting skills, establish themselves as regular readers, improve fluency, build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, have scheduled opportunities to check out books, and learn to talk about literature. “The act of goal setting, therefore, is a practice that educators can use to help fuel students’ learning-to-learn skills, such as a sense of agency, intrinsic motivation, and capacity to manage their own learning.” Student Goal Setting: An Evidence-Based Practice Through our Book Chat plan, we allow students to self-select books. There is abundant research to support this effort. According to a study done by the Institute of Educational Sciences, “student self-selection of reading materials leads to greater pleasure and interest in reading (2017).” This same study shows that this joy and curiosity results in a greater motivation to read. Communities visit the library in school approximately every two weeks. We call this visit Book Chats. Adults meet with individual students to update their digital book tracker, (students have a paper tracker they must bring to every Book Chat. We talk about books they’ve recently completed, remind them of their goal, sometimes do a fluency check, help students find their ‘next book’, and encourage them to persevere with their reading.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE
Topic(s): Culturally Responsive Practices, Communication Skills, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Coordinators, Directors, Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Instructional Assistants, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Teachers
Wednesday July 30, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

1:00pm EDT

Designing a Student-Centered Montessori Classroom | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Lucas Middle School; Mentors; Beginning Teachers Program; Curriculum and Instruction; Healthful Living and Physical Education; Lakewood Montessori Middle School | Lucas M
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Krystene Kohel | [email protected] | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Core Hlavaty | [email protected] | Presenter; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY This session will explore the practical strategies to create a thriving adolescent Montessori classroom environment
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, School Counselors, Teachers
Wednesday July 30, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

1:00pm EDT

Pedagogy of Place (MS ONLY) | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Lucas Middle School; Magnet Programs; Mentors; Beginning Teachers Program; Curriculum and Instruction; Healthful Living and Physical Education; Lakewood Montessori Middle School | Lucas Middle
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: CMSTEMP | [email protected] | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY THIS SESSION IS SOLELY FOCUSED ON MIDDLE SCHOOL INSTRUCTION
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, School Counselors, Teachers
Wednesday July 30, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

1:00pm EDT

DEEP DIVE--Montessori Upper Elementary Geometry Instruction | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Lakewood Montessori Middle School; Beginning Teachers Program; Curriculum and Instruction; George Watts Elementary School; Little River Elementary School; Lucas
LIMITED
Wednesday July 30, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Katie Mosquera | [email protected] | Presenter; Seth Webb | [email protected] | Facilitator; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Rediscover the beauty, logic, and transformative power of Montessori mathematics and geometry - revisiting how math and geometry become tools for discovery, allowing students to construct their understanding through hands-on materials and guided exploration. Rooted in Montessori’s principles of sensorial learning, reasoning, and abstraction, participants will deepen their practice with essential materials and strategies that empower children to uncover mathematical and geometric truths for themselves. Participants will renew their understanding of math and geometry, not as isolated subjects, but as universal languages—tools that help children uncover patterns, relationships, and the interconnectedness of the universe, fulfilling the deeper purpose of Cosmic Education. The morning Lower Elementary sessions will focus on building fluency, vocabulary, and multi-step reasoning through core math and foundational geometry materials. The Upper Elementary afternoon sessions will Emphasize abstraction, advanced operations, and deriving relationships in math and geometry through discovery.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Instructional Assistants, Principals, Teachers
Wednesday July 30, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA
 


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