Durham Public Schools PL

Presenters: Matthew Jones | [email protected] | Assistant Principal; Gwen Dorman | [email protected] | Principal; Nancy Wicker | [email protected] | Coach
Location: Mangum Elementary School 25
Description: Staff will vertical plan with each to other to help understand the standards from the other grades and how they impact students going from grade to grade.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analysis, DPS Adopted Resources, Standards Aligned Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Assistant Principals, Principals, Teachers

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: Latoya Johnson | [email protected] | Teaching & Learning Coach
Location: Murray-Massenburg Elementary School Media Center
Description: What is the difference between higher order thinking and rigor? During this professional development session, teachers will deepen their understanding of Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK) and how it connects to task rigor and student thinking. Participants will learn how to analyze, design, and adapt instructional tasks to promote higher levels of cognitive engagement. By the end of the session, teachers will be able to identify DOK levels within their lessons, create purposeful questions and activities that move students beyond recall, and apply strategies to foster critical thinking and problem-solving in everyday instruction.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Topic(s): Increased Rigor
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific)

Presenters: Lanisha Hinton | [email protected] | Principal
Location: Sandy Ridge Elementary School PLC Room or Grade Level Chairperson's Classroom
Description: K-2 teachers will create SMART literacy stations for and 3-5 teachers will plan lessons and gather resources for quarter 2.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Standards Aligned Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Instructional Assistants, Teachers

Presenters: Jazma Dickerson | [email protected] | Instructional Coach
Location: Lyons Farm Elementary Media Center
Description: Teachers will receive the Quarter 2 unit maps and engage in a guided discussion on the importance of unpacking standards and aligning instruction to the pacing for the quarter. Following the overview, teachers will break out into PLCs to collaboratively review their standards, plan instructional sequences, and identify key focus areas for upcoming units.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers