Durham Public Schools PL

Presenters: Karen Thompson | [email protected] | OEE Director; April Cheek | [email protected] | EC Pre-K Director; Melissa Anders | [email protected] | EC PK Facilitator; Renee Harris | [email protected] | EC PK Facilitator; Qushanna Glass | [email protected] | Pre-K Coach; Michelle Meade | [email protected] | Pre-K Coach; Shewahn Lee | [email protected] | Transition to K Facilitator; Lamisa Cameron | [email protected] | Universal Programming Facilitator
Location: Oak Grove Elementary School
Description: Preschool teachers and the OEE leadership team will review and discuss the OEE department goals for the year, the first 10-days checklist, preschool updates, health and safety requirements, and state DCDEE licensure rules, PLC, curriculum, and EC non-negotiables for the 2026-2027 school year. Preschool teachers will have an opportunity to ask clarifying questions so they are prepared for their students and families to begin the school year.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Strategy-Based for any content, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): PLC Professional Learning Communities, Social Emotional, Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analysis, Exceptional Children, Health and Safety
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K
Targeted Roles: Instructional Assistants, Teachers

Presenters: Beth Spataro | [email protected] | School Support Specialist
Location: Rogers-Herr Middle School TBD
Description: Participants will learn how to plan for and utilize StudySync components of the Extended Writing Project as they design their quarterly instructional planning.
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): Explicit Teaching, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Amanda Hoffman | [email protected] | ELS
Location: W.G. Pearson Elementary School Media Center
Description: Teachers will gain a deep understanding of each UFLI step, how to teach it, and how each step positively impacts foundational reading skills.
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): DPS Adopted Resources, 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: Kimberly Siegers | [email protected] | Coach; Marcia Jacobs | [email protected] | Coach
Location: Hope Valley Elementary School Media Center
Description: Learn how to use Depth of Knowledge (DOK) to increase the rigor of classroom instruction. Participants will explore the four DOK levels, practice developing higher-level questions and tasks, and leave with strategies to promote deeper student thinking and learning.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, ELA
Topic(s): Explicit Teaching, Increased Rigor
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Interventionists, Teachers