Durham Public Schools PL

Presenters: Colleen Robinson | [email protected] | Teaching and Learning Coach; Mary Alice Sprinkle | [email protected] | Instructional Coach; Zoe Bodnar | [email protected] | Science Specialist
Location: Forest View Elementary School Various Locations
Description: This session is for Forest View staff: Join us for a cross-grade conversation designed to strengthen how we support students as learners across K–5. In this collaborative session, teachers and specialists will explore vertical connections in ELA, math, and science—celebrating what students bring with them, identifying shared priorities, and clarifying how instruction builds from year to year. Together, we’ll examine where students thrive, where they get stuck, and how consistent practices—like explicit teaching, small-group design, and progress monitoring—can help every student access and extend learning.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, ELA
Topic(s): English Learner Services, Exceptional Children, Increased Rigor, Assessment for Learning, Curriculum and Instruction, 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: Kendra Jarrell | [email protected] | Teaching and Learning Coach; Felisha deBlaquiere | [email protected] | AIG Specialist
Location: George Watts Montessori School Media Center
Description: Teachers will get a general overview of the difference between Costas and DOK and will complete a sorting task with their grade level band PLCs. Then, teachers will break off into their grade level band PLCs with a facilitator and for the first half of the time, look at current work plans and assess the level of rigor/DOK levels. The second half of the time, they will work on planning work plans for the upcoming week/weeks using what they learned and practiced in this session.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Increased Rigor
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Erica McRae | [email protected] | Teaching and Learning Coach/MTSS Facilitator; Colleen Miller | [email protected] | Assistant Principal; Teresa Van Acker | [email protected] | Montessori Director
Location: Little River Elementary School Media Center
Description: During this session, participants will review Montessori curriculum maps to gain a better understanding of how to navigate the components, problem solve issues associated with it, and give suggestions for changes that can be made to future maps.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, ELA
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers