Durham Public Schools PL

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: Hannah Hribar | Hannah_Hribar@dpsnc.net | Lead EC Facilitator; Ajalyn Baker | Ajalyn_Baker@dpsnc.net | Lead EC Facilitator; Wendy Vavrousek | Wendy_Vavrousek@dpsnc.net | EC Director
Location: Hillside High School Room 203
Description: This session will help general education teachers enhance their knowledge regarding exceptional children policies and practices, effectively collaborate with EC colleagues, and prepare for and engage in your students' IEP meetings.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
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: Teachers

Presenters: India C. Williams | indiac_williams@dpsnc.net | Teaching and Learning Coach
Location: Hillside High School Room 111
Description: We will explore the Science of Reading to learn how decoding X language comprehension = reading comprehension. This session is tailored to all core and elective contents.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Explicit Teaching, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Differentiation/Scaffolding
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Interventionists, Teachers

Presenters: Diana Franklin | Diana_franklin@dpsnc.net | TLC
Location: Hillside High School Room 108
Description: We speak about rigor frequently but do all educators completely understand what this means or how we can help all students think at higher levels? In this session we will synthesize a workable definition of what rigor is based on several sources as well as our own background knowledge. We will analyze the level of thinking required for different activities based on both Bloom's Taxonomy and Webb's Depth of Knowledge. We will also discuss how to provide the appropriate scaffolding to guide academically diverse students to be able to complete higher level tasks and questions. We will then explore how to use different AI tools to easily increase the DOK level in different tasks and questions. Finally, teachers will have time to create a learning activity to implement their new understanding. We will use different higher thinking level activities and strategies throughout the workshop as exemplars for the participants.
Subject Area(s): Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Advanced Academics-AIG, Increased Rigor
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Beth Spataro | bethnicole_spataro@dpsnc.net | Secondary Literacy Specialist; Wendi Love | Wendi_Love@dpsnc.net | ESL Facilitator for Secondary
Location: Hillside High School Room 112
Description: During this session, participants will learn about the science of reading and learn to apply this learning to identify reading needs in their secondary classrooms. This session will meet the needs of secondary content teachers, ESL and EC teachers.
Subject Area(s): Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Assessment for Learning, Differentiation/Scaffolding, English Learner Services, Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Teachers

Presenters: Susan Parent | susan_parent@dpsnc.net | instructional coach
Location: Hillside High School Room 200
Description: Learn foundational fraction concepts and build understanding with hands on Fraction Kits. Each teacher will make and take their own fraction kit with lessons and games ready to go!
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Beginning Teachers, Standards Aligned Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: 3rd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Assistants, Interventionists, Teachers

Presenters: Liz Moffitt | elizabeth_moffitt@dpsnc.net | Director of Math & Science
Location: Hillside High School Room 103
Description: In this session, middle and high school math teachers will learn tools and strategies to integrate building fact fluency with their core instruction. They will also make connections between their content standards and the most relevant operations for fluency development.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Digital Teaching and Learning, DPS Adopted Resources, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Coaches, Teachers

Presenters: Rob Jones | robert_jones784@dpsnc.net | Teaching and Learning Coach
Location: Hillside High School Room 114
Description: Participants will explore the importance of goal setting in the classroom through the lens of the 6 Phases of Learning.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Increased Rigor, Differentiation/Scaffolding, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Alina Castillo | alina_castillo@dpsnc.net | 6-12 Math Specialist; Kenya Lawrence | kenya_lawrence@dpsnc.net | 6-12 Math Specialist
Location: Hillside High School Room 104
Description: This seminar highlights the power of research-based number sense routines as a foundation for developing mathematical reasoning in secondary students. Participants will explore a variety of engaging, low-floor, high-ceiling routines designed to deepen students’ understanding of number properties, enhance procedural fluency, and promote flexible thinking. These routines serve as powerful catalysts for mathematical discourse, encouraging students to articulate their strategies, justify their reasoning, and build on one another’s ideas. Join us as we uncover how consistent, intentional number sense routines can transform daily instruction and cultivate confident, capable mathematical thinkers.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Increased Rigor, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Culturally Responsive Practices, DPS Adopted Resources, Equity, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Assistants, Instructional Coaches, Interventionists, Teachers

Presenters: Matt Hickson | matthew.hickson@modernclassrooms.org | Director
Location: Hillside High School Room 106
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, Differentiation/Scaffolding
Targeted Instructional Grades: 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Kelly Newsome | kelly_newsome@dpsnc.net | Teaching and Learning Coach
Location: Hillside High School Room 105
Description: for high school teachers to learn how to use choice boards in their classrooms as a way to foster student engagement and improve overall achievement.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Increased Rigor, Differentiation/Scaffolding
Targeted Instructional Grades: 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: 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: Hannah Hribar | Hannah_Hribar@dpsnc.net | Lead EC Facilitator; Ajalyn Baker | Ajalyn_Baker@dpsnc.net | Lead EC Facilitator; Wendy Vavrousek | Wendy_Vavrousek@dpsnc.net | EC Director
Location: Hillside High School Room 203
Description: This session will help general education teachers enhance their knowledge regarding exceptional children policies and practices, effectively collaborate with EC colleagues, and prepare for and engage in your students' IEP meetings.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
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: Teachers

Presenters: Delphia Daniels | delphia_daniels@dpsnc.net | Literacy Coach; Latoya Johnson | latoya_judd@dpsnc.net | Teaching and Learning Coach
Location: Hillside High School Room 107
Description: This session gives teachers tools to increase student engagement using five of Hattie’s highest-impact strategies. We’ll focus on helping students show their thinking in visible ways—through discussion, feedback, reflection, or peer teaching. Teachers will learn what covert engagement and overt engagement look like, and why both are important in every classroom. We’ll walk through each strategy with real examples, build understanding, and give teachers space to plan lessons using what they’ve learned. Activities like the “Apply It!” planning challenges will help teachers match engagement strategies to their own content. The session also includes a reflection and exit ticket to help teachers decide what to try first and what they might still have questions about. We’ll start by sparking curiosity and making connections to what teachers already do, then build new learning in a way that’s clear and usable. Strategies are modeled, discussed, and practiced with support—and teachers will leave with next steps they can use right away. Teachers will need access to the curriculum materials (HMH, ARC, Eureka2, etc.) for planning purposes.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Effective Feedback Strategies, Explicit Teaching
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Rob Jones | robert_jones784@dpsnc.net | Teaching and Learning Coach
Location: Hillside High School Room 114
Description: Participants will explore the importance of goal setting in the classroom through the lens of the 6 Phases of Learning.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Increased Rigor, Differentiation/Scaffolding, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers