Durham Public Schools PL

Presenters: Carlissia Dudley | carlissia_dudley@dpsnc.net | Teaching and Learning Coach; Olga Todman | olga_todman@dpsnc.net | Math Coach
Location: Hillside High School Room 211
Description: Start the year strong! Learn easy, high-impact strategies to create a positive, respectful classroom where students feel safe, motivated, and ready to learn—right from day one. Walk away with tools you can use immediately to set the tone for a successful school year!
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Culture and Climate, Social Emotional Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Assistants, Teachers

Presenters: Ashley Mata | ashley_mata@dpsnc.net | Curriculum and Instruction Coach
Location: Hillside High School Room 206
Description: Learners will leave this session with concrete examples of how to establish specific Tier 1 (HITS) in the classroom. Focus Areas Focus 1: Learning Environment Establishing clear rules and procedures Focus 2: Assessment Informed Instruction Monitoring learning during instruction
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Beginning Teacher Support
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Destiny Chevis | destiny_chevis@dpsnc.net | Teaching & Learning Coach
Location: Hillside High School Room 208
Description: Focus: Building Relationships & Classroom Culture Objective: Teachers will explore strategies to build authentic relationships with students that lead to a stronger classroom community and improved behavior.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Culture and Climate, Beginning Teacher Support
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Kourtney Royster | kourtney_royster@dpsnc.net | WHOLE Schools Well-Being Specialist; Cherice Artis | cherice_artis@dpsnc.net | K-12 School Counseling Coordinator
Location: Hillside High School Room 109
Description: This presentation will explore the critical role educators play in preventing bullying and fostering a safe, inclusive school environment. Participants will gain practical strategies to recognize, respond to, and reduce bullying behaviors. Emphasis will be placed on building strong relationships, promoting empathy, and creating a positive classroom culture where all students feel supported and respected.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Communication Skills, Health and Safety, Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Culturally Responsive Practices
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Assistant Principals, Principals, School Counselors, Mentors, Social Workers, Teachers

Presenters: Amy Miller | amy_miller@dpsnc.net | Director; Felicia Sledge | felicia_sledge@dpsnc.net | Specialist; Sonya West | sonya_west@dpsnc.net | Specialist
Location: Hillside High School Room 201
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: Gradesa Lockhart | gradesa_lockhart@dpsnc.net | Director
Location: Hillside High School Room 102
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: Melissa Watson | melissa_watson@dpsnc.net | Director of Student Alternatives and Supports; Darlene Hampton | darlene_hampton@dpsnc.net | District Family Liaison
Location: Hillside High School Room 110
Description: In every classroom, there are students whose success depends on more than just instruction—it depends on access, advocacy, and consistent support. This session will equip teachers with practical strategies for supporting students who have 504 plans or are in foster care, helping ensure their needs are met both legally and compassionately. Educators will learn how to recognize signs of unmet needs, navigate accommodations more effectively, and build collaborative systems with support staff and families. Through real-life examples and tools, teachers will leave better prepared to create classroom environments where these students can thrive.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Communication Skills, Equity, School Counselors, Social Emotional, Culturally Responsive Practices, 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, Interpreters, Principals, School Counselors, Translators, Interventionists, Social Workers, Teachers

Presenters: Gloria Sanchez | gloria_sanchez@dpsnc.net | SEL & Mental Health Coordinator
Location: Hillside High School Room 113
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: Iwinosa Idahor | iwinosa_idahor@dpsnc.net | Office of Equity Affairs; Keaundra Robinson | keaundra_robinson@dpsnc.net | Office of Equity Affairs; Kamia Norman | kamia_norman@dpsnc.net | Southwest ES; Angelia Ball Smith | Angelia_BallSmith@dpsnc.net | Y.E. Smith ES; Rita Rakestraw | Rita_Rakestraw@dpsnc.net | Ignite! Online Academy/Lakewood MMS
Location: Hillside High School Room 214
Description: Objective: To create a space where educators will learn from and with each other about how to support, affirm, empower, and impact young girls of color, in and out of the classroom.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living, *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Communication Skills, Equity, Culture and Climate, Social Emotional Learning, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Culturally Responsive Practices, Student-Centered Learning
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, Principals, School Counselors, Teachers

Presenters: Ashley Mata | ashley_mata@dpsnc.net | Curriculum and Instruction Coach
Location: Hillside High School Room 206
Description: Learners will leave this session with concrete examples of how to establish specific Tier 1 (HITS) in the classroom. Focus Areas Focus 1: Learning Environment Establishing clear rules and procedures Focus 2: Assessment Informed Instruction Monitoring learning during instruction
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Beginning Teacher Support
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Kourtney Royster | kourtney_royster@dpsnc.net | WHOLE Schools Well-Being Specialist; Cherice Artis | cherice_artis@dpsnc.net | K-12 School Counseling Coordinator
Location: Hillside High School Room 109
Description: This presentation will explore the critical role educators play in preventing bullying and fostering a safe, inclusive school environment. Participants will gain practical strategies to recognize, respond to, and reduce bullying behaviors. Emphasis will be placed on building strong relationships, promoting empathy, and creating a positive classroom culture where all students feel supported and respected.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Communication Skills, Health and Safety, Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Culturally Responsive Practices
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Assistant Principals, Principals, School Counselors, Mentors, Social Workers, Teachers

Presenters: Amy Miller | amy_miller@dpsnc.net | Director; Felicia Sledge | felicia_sledge@dpsnc.net | Specialist; Sonya West | sonya_west@dpsnc.net | Specialist
Location: Hillside High School Room 204
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: Melissa Watson | melissa_watson@dpsnc.net | Director of Student Alternatives and Supports; Darlene Hampton | darlene_hampton@dpsnc.net | District Family Liaison
Location: Hillside High School Room 110
Description: In every classroom, there are students whose success depends on more than just instruction—it depends on access, advocacy, and consistent support. This session will equip teachers with practical strategies for supporting students who have 504 plans or are in foster care, helping ensure their needs are met both legally and compassionately. Educators will learn how to recognize signs of unmet needs, navigate accommodations more effectively, and build collaborative systems with support staff and families. Through real-life examples and tools, teachers will leave better prepared to create classroom environments where these students can thrive.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Communication Skills, Equity, School Counselors, Social Emotional, Culturally Responsive Practices, 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, Interpreters, Principals, School Counselors, Translators, Interventionists, Social Workers, Teachers

Presenters: Iwinosa Idahor | iwinosa_idahor@dpsnc.net | Office of Equity Affairs; Keaundra Robinson | keaundra_robinson@dpsnc.net | Office of Equity Affairs; Kamia Norman | kamia_norman@dpsnc.net | Southwest ES; Angelia Ball Smith | Angelia_BallSmith@dpsnc.net | Y.E. Smith ES; Rita Rakestraw | Rita_Rakestraw@dpsnc.net | Ignite! Online Academy/Lakewood MMS
Location: Hillside High School Room 214
Description: Objective: To create a space where educators will learn from and with each other about how to support, affirm, empower, and impact young girls of color, in and out of the classroom.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living, *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Communication Skills, Equity, Culture and Climate, Social Emotional Learning, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Culturally Responsive Practices, Student-Centered Learning
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, Principals, School Counselors, Teachers