Durham Public Schools PL

Presenters: Charlotte Townley | [email protected] | EC Facilitator
Location: Githens Middle School EC Conference Room
Description: Githens EC department will meet to review guidelines and procedures.
Subject Area(s): Strategy-Based for any content
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Ebony Freeman | [email protected] | EC Facilitator
Location: Hillside High School 126
Description: Hillside EC PLC- EC Teachers will learn how to appropriately take minutes in an IEP Meeting.
Subject Area(s): Strategy-Based for any content
Topic(s): Exceptional Children, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Beatrice Springs | [email protected] | EC Coordinator; April Washington | [email protected] | Director; Melissa Anders | [email protected] | EC Facilitator; Renee Harris | [email protected] | EC Facilitator
Location: Bacon Street 163
Description: Preschool staff members serving students in the community and small group environment gather to share ideas and resources.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Kristin Bell | [email protected] | Executive Director for EC; Wendy Vavrousek | [email protected] | EC Director; Krista Saunders | [email protected] | EC Director; Ken Hill | [email protected] | EC Director
Location: Staff Development Center M-1
Description: Participants will learn the status of exceptional children matters in Durham Public Schools, their role as an administrator to ensure the delivery of a free appropriate public education to every student with an individualized education program.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
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, Leadership
Targeted Roles: Assistant Superintendents, Directors, Superintendents, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Principals, Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Colleen Robinson | [email protected] | Instructional Coach; Mary Alice Sprinkle | [email protected] | Instructional Coach; Laura Weatherly | [email protected] | School Counselor
Location: Forest View Elementary School Media Center
Description: Ongoing Character Strong professional development series focused on practical SEL strategies that build empathy, connection, and belonging. This choice session is designed for staff who want to strengthen relationships and bring simple, impactful SEL practices into their work.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Social Emotional
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: School Counselors, Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Colleen robinson | [email protected] | Instructional Coach; Mary Alice Sprinkle | [email protected] | Instructional Coach; Elizabeth Godwin | [email protected] | 2nd Grade Teacher
Location: Forest View Elementary School TBD
Description: This Learning Lab explores how teachers can use AI and technology tools to enhance instruction, streamline planning, and engage students in meaningful ways. Participants will learn practical strategies for integrating tech into daily practice while keeping student learning and creativity at the center.
Subject Area(s): Digital Learning Standards
Topic(s): Digital Teaching and Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Colleen Robinson | [email protected] | Instructional Coach; Mary Alice Sprinkle | [email protected] | Instructional Coach; Javarrah Peets | [email protected] | 4th Grade Teacher
Location: Forest View Elementary School TBD
Description: The ELA Learning Lab is a collaborative space where all staff—classroom and non-classroom alike—can explore strategies to support student literacy growth. Together, we will look at student work, practice high-leverage strategies, and share ideas for building strong readers and writers. Whether in the classroom, the gym, the art room, or another setting, participants will leave with simple, practical ways to strengthen student communication, comprehension, and confidence in every learning environment.
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): English Learner Services, Exceptional Children, Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Equity, 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: Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Colleen Robinson | [email protected] | Instructional Coach; Mary Alice Sprinkle | [email protected] | Instructional Coach; Catriona Moore | [email protected] | EL teacher
Location: Forest View Elementary School TBD
Description: The Writing Learning Lab is a collaborative space for teachers to explore effective writing practices, analyze student work, and try out strategies aligned to standards. In each session, participants will engage in hands-on practice, share ideas, and leave with practical tools to strengthen student writing.
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, 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: Teachers

Presenters: Colleen Robinson | [email protected] | Instructional Coach; Mary Alice Sprinkle | [email protected] | Instructional Coach; Jenny Elliot | [email protected] | MTSS
Location: Forest View Elementary School TBD
Description: The Math Learning Lab is a collaborative space for staff to explore practical strategies that strengthen student mathematical thinking. Participants will engage with tasks, analyze student work, and share approaches that promote problem-solving, reasoning, and number sense. Whether working in the classroom or in other school settings, staff will leave with simple, transferable strategies to support math confidence and fluency for all students.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): English Learner Services, Exceptional Children, Increased Rigor, Leadership, MTSS, Assessment for Learning, Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analysis, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Colleen Robinson | [email protected] | Instructional Coach; Mary Alice Sprinkle | [email protected] | Instructional Coach
Location: Forest View Elementary School TBD
Description: The National Boards Learning Lab is a collaborative space for educators working toward certification to receive support, share ideas, and make steady progress on assignments. Participants will have time to work alongside colleagues, ask questions, and build accountability through structured check-ins. Each session is designed to provide encouragement, clarity, and momentum so teachers can move forward with confidence on their National Boards journey.
Subject Area(s): Strategy-Based for any content
Topic(s): National Board Certification
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Beatrice Springs | [email protected] | EC Coordinator; April Washington | [email protected] | Director; Melissa Anders | [email protected] | EC Facilitator; Renee Harris | [email protected] | EC Facilitator
Location: Bacon Street 165
Description: Early Education Support Team (EEST) provides training and support to preschool staff members serving students in the community.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K
Targeted Roles: Speech Language Pathologists, Teachers