Durham Public Schools PL

Presenters: Matthew Jones | [email protected] | AP
Location: Mangum Elementary School Media center
Description: Staff will analysis standards and look at how to better align DOK Tasks for better cognitive actions
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Strategy-Based for any content, ELA
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Jennifer Hauser | [email protected] | Principal; Farrah Boggan | [email protected] | Asst. Principal; Rob Jones | [email protected] | Teaching and Learning Coach
Location: Easley Elementary School
Description: Teams will plan in PLCs to address changes in schedules and future planning.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Standards Aligned Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Jerri Jackson | [email protected] | Principal; Amanda Fuentes | [email protected] | Coach; Escarleth Rivera | [email protected] | Coach
Location: Lakewood Elementary School Media Center
Description: This professional development session supports elementary teachers in strengthening the We Do phase of explicit teaching model. Participants will explore how guided practice bridges teacher modeling and independent learning, ensuring all students are actviely engaged and supported. Through practical examples, collaborative tasks, and classroom-ready strategies, teachers will learn how to check for understanding, scaffold learning, and respond to student misconceptions in the moment. The session emphasizes purposeful questioning, think-alouds, and gradual release of responsibility to help students build confidence and competence before moving to independnet work.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Strategy-Based for any content, ELA
Topic(s): Increased Rigor
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific)

Presenters: Tya Tyrrell | [email protected] | IB Magnet Coordinator
Location: E.K. Powe Elementary School Media Center
Description: Participants will observe the planning of an inquiry-based lesson and collborate with their PLC teams to create an inquiry-based lesson unit.
Subject Area(s): Digital Learning Standards, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Digital Teaching and Learning, Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Assistant Principals, Principals, Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Kim Siegers | [email protected] | T&L Coach; Marcia Jacobs | [email protected] | T&L Coach; Katherine Urbanski | [email protected] | Teacher / IC Lead; Sarah Wilson | [email protected] | Teacher / IC Lead
Location: Hope Valley Elementary School
Description: This professional learning session will support teachers in strengthening their understanding of standards-based instruction and assessment. Participants will examine how instructional planning, classroom assessment, and grading practices work together to accurately reflect student learning. Using Infinite Campus as the platform for application, teachers will learn how to enter, analyze, and communicate assessment data in ways that are aligned to priority standards and instructional goals. The session emphasizes using assessment as a tool to inform instruction and ensure grades clearly represent what students know and can do
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Topic(s): Assessments-Data-Accountability, Assessment for Learning, Standards Aligned Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Malvola Clark | [email protected] | Teaching & Learning Coach
Location: Sandy Ridge Elementary School Grade Level Chairperson's Classroom
Description: Teachers will plan lessons and gather resources for quarter 4.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
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: Denise Brammer | [email protected] | Assistant Principal
Location: Spring Valley Elementary Media Center
Description: Participants will deepen their understanding of DOK Levels 3 and 4, analyze classroom tasks and questions, and collaborate to redesign lessons that promote reasoning, problem-solving, and real-world application.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analysis, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Assistants, Teachers, Test Coordinators

Presenters: Krystle Bradley | [email protected] | Facilitator; Jennifer Keegan | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Eastway Elementary School Media Center/PLC ROOM
Description: This planning session provides teachers with dedicated time to collaborate, reflect, and design high-quality instruction aligned to standards and student needs. Teachers will work together to analyze data, unpack standards, plan engaging lessons, and share effective strategies and resources.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Assessments-Data-Accountability, Curriculum and Instruction, Standards Aligned Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific)

Presenters: Emily Simler | [email protected] | AP
Location: Lakewood Montessori Middle School
Description: Departments will meet to discuss Semester 2 goals based on MOY data.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Advanced Academics-AIG, English Learner Services, Exceptional Children, Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analysis, Standards Aligned Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Diana Franklin | [email protected] | TLC
Location: Carrington Middle School varied
Description: Teachers will work together to plan units for the second nine week.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Digital Learning Standards, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Strategy-Based for any content, CTE
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Data Analysis
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Roger Ganim | [email protected] | Admin; Tiffany Waters | [email protected] | Dept Chair; Erica Carnegie | [email protected] | Dept Chair; Rafael Nicolelis | [email protected] | Dept Chair; Anna Dulken | [email protected] | Dept Chair
Location: The School for Creative Studies
Description: Departments will engage in collaborative planning focused on strengthening instruction and supporting student skill development. Teams will review current curriculum materials to identify gaps, redundancies, and areas where students may need targeted skill support. Using this analysis, departments will curate shared resources in a common folder and align materials to priority standards and essential skills. In addition, teams will identify key skills where students are struggling and plan intentional intervention strategies (e.g., scaffolds, practice routines, small-group supports, or enrichment). Time will also be provided to plan for upcoming projects, labs, or performances, ensuring instructional plans include embedded opportunities for skill development and intervention.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Equity
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 11th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Dr. Lori Bruce | [email protected] | Principal; Jamel Anderson-Ruff | [email protected] | Assistant Principal
Location: J.D. Clement Early College High School 204
Description: Participants will engage in data analysis in their content area or a content area closely aligned to their content. Based upon trends in the data, participants will create goals, strategies to support student proficiency and growth. The Book study will be introduced to support continued professional learning that supports student outcomes and cross-curricular connections and support.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Strategy-Based for any content
Topic(s): Assessments-Data-Accountability, Culturally Responsive Practices, MTSS, Data Analysis
Targeted Instructional Grades: 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 10th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Sheila Brockers-White | [email protected] | Instructional Facilitator
Location: Lakeview School Cafetorium
Description: This professional development session will provide teachers with hands-on experience using MasteryConnect to monitor student progress and inform instructional decisions. Participants will create a subject-specific tracker and add a Common District Assessment (CDA) to the tracker. Teachers will learn how to organize standards-based data, analyze student performance, and use assessment results to guide instruction, intervention, and enrichment.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Assessments-Data-Accountability, Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analysis
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade, Leadership
Targeted Roles: Teachers