Durham Public Schools PL

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: Laura Parrott | [email protected] | Director; Sashi Rayasam | [email protected] | Director
Location: Staff Development Center tbd
Description: Learn how AIG, EC, and ESL services work together to support all learners through differentiation and strong core curricular resources.
Subject Area(s): Skill-Based Instruction (OTs‚ PTs‚ etc.)
Topic(s): Advanced Academics-AIG, English Learner Services
Targeted Instructional Grades: Leadership
Targeted Roles: Principals

Presenters: Ashley Stephens | [email protected] | Director
Location: Staff Development Center TBD
Description: Take a deeper look at each tiering metric and the supports available to enhance performance. This collaborative session, led jointly with Research & Accountability, Human Resources, and Student Support Services, will help leaders understand both the data and the supports behind each indicator.
Subject Area(s): Skill-Based Instruction (OTs‚ PTs‚ etc.)
Topic(s): Leadership
Targeted Instructional Grades: Leadership
Targeted Roles: Principals

Presenters: Amanda Bower | [email protected] | Specialist
Location: Staff Development Center tbd
Description: Elementary students need a strong vocabulary and background knowledge to think deeply about text. This session shows principals how Mystery Science and other free Discovery Learning tools anchor explicit teaching and boost DOK 2–3 thinking through short, high-engagement investigations.
Subject Area(s): Skill-Based Instruction (OTs‚ PTs‚ etc.)
Topic(s): Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Leadership
Targeted Roles: Principals

Presenters: Heidi_Perez | [email protected] | Specialist
Location: Staff Development Center tbd
Description: Explore how Reading Plus, paired with explicit teaching, strengthens reading stamina, comprehension, and growth.
Subject Area(s): Skill-Based Instruction (OTs‚ PTs‚ etc.)
Topic(s): Leadership
Targeted Instructional Grades: Leadership
Targeted Roles: Principals

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; 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: 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