Durham Public Schools PL

Presenters: Ebony Ross | [email protected] | McKinney-Vento Coordinator
Location: Riverside High School
Description: This session will provide school leaders with a practical understanding of McKinney-Vento requirements, explore the process to identify students experiencing homelessness, ensure immediate enrollment, and navigate common barriers such as transportation and student reluctance. The The session will also highlight the local shelter process and district-specific data to ground the work in current realities.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Student Wellness and Advocacy
Targeted Instructional Grades: Leadership
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific)

Presenters: Matthew Hickson | [email protected] | Modern Classrooms; Lori McNulty | [email protected] | Director, Professional Learning
Location: Riverside High School
Description: In this hands-on session, school leaders will build the knowledge and tools needed to confidently support teachers implementing the Modern Classrooms Math Model. Leaders will also practice using targeted observation and coaching designed specifically for the Modern Math Model, so they can give teachers meaningful, actionable feedback.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Leadership
Targeted Roles: Assistant Superintendents, Directors, Assistant Principals, Principals

Presenters: Heidi Perez | [email protected] | Director of Instructional Systems; Beth Spataro | [email protected] | School Support Specialist; Jacqueline Aponte | [email protected] | School Support Specialist
Location: Riverside High School TBD
Description: Participants will develop skills in accessing and interpreting platform-based instructional and assessment data, monitoring curriculum implementation, and using reporting tools to guide schoolwide instructional decisions. Leaders will strengthen their ability to identify trends, facilitate data-informed conversations with teachers and PLCs, and create actionable next steps that improve student outcomes. This interactive session combines platform navigation, real-world data analysis, and collaborative problem-solving. Participants will engage in guided exploration of reporting tools, analyze sample data sets and instructional scenarios, and discuss leadership moves that support effective implementation and continuous improvement. Opportunities for reflection, discussion, and action planning will help participants connect the learning directly to their school contexts.
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): MTSS, Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analysis, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Assistant Principals, Principals

Presenters: Matthew Hickson | [email protected] | Modern Classrooms; Lori McNulty | [email protected] | Director, Professional Learning
Location: Riverside High School
Description: In this hands-on session, school leaders will build the knowledge and tools needed to confidently support teachers implementing the Modern Classrooms Math Model. Leaders will also practice using targeted observation and coaching designed specifically for the Modern Math Model, so they can give teachers meaningful, actionable feedback.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Leadership
Targeted Roles: Assistant Superintendents, Directors, Assistant Principals, Principals

Presenters: Cherice Artis | [email protected] | K-12 School Counseling Coordinator
Location: Riverside High School
Description: Principals will build capacity to effectively evaluate school counselors’ Achievement Gap Plans for quality, alignment, and impact. Through hands-on analysis and structured practice, principals will apply a district-aligned evaluation rubric to determine whether plans are data-driven, aligned to identified student disparities, connected to MTSS, and focused on measurable outcomes. Participants will evaluate sample plans, calibrate expectations through discussion and feedback, and develop clear strategies for monitoring counselor effectiveness. By the end of the session, principals will leave with a practical evaluation tool and a defined next step to implement in their school to ensure measurable progress in closing achievement gaps.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Leadership
Targeted Instructional Grades: 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
Targeted Roles: Assistant Principals, Principals