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: various | [email protected] | Specialists and Directors
Location: Other... Year Round Schools
Description: Instructional Staff will gather in content specific groups to receive curriculum updates, consider priority standards and plan for the first unit of instruction
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living, Occupational Course of Study
Topic(s): Assessment for Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 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, Leadership
Targeted Roles: Instructional Assistants, Teachers

Presenters: Krista Saunders | [email protected] | Director; Lori Platko | [email protected] | Adapted Curriculum Specialist; Kelly Roberts | [email protected] | Adapted Curriculum Specialist
Location: E.K. Powe Elementary School TBD
Description: This session introduces participants to SOLER (Social Learning and Emotional Regulation), STAR Autism Support's evidence-based social-emotional learning model designed to support students with social and behavioral challenges. Participants will explore instructional tools and interactive lessons that promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, perspective-taking, empathy, and healthy relationship skills through engaging videos, print resources, and real-life scenarios. The session will highlight practical strategies for implementing SOLER to strengthen students' social-emotional competencies across school settings.
Subject Area(s): Healthful Living
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Krista Saunders | [email protected] | Director; Lori Platko | [email protected] | Adapted Curriculum Specialist; Kelly Roberts | [email protected] | Adapted Curriculum Specialist
Location: E.K. Powe Elementary School TBD
Description: This session introduces participants to SOLER (Social Learning and Emotional Regulation), STAR Autism Support's evidence-based social-emotional learning model designed to support students with social and behavioral challenges. Participants will explore instructional tools and interactive lessons that promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, perspective-taking, empathy, and healthy relationship skills through engaging videos, print resources, and real-life scenarios. The session will highlight practical strategies for implementing SOLER to strengthen students' social-emotional competencies across school settings.
Subject Area(s): Healthful Living
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Amy Jenkins | [email protected] | Teaching and Learning Coach
Location: The School for Creative Studies Room 116
Description: Teachers will learn a practical framework for planning and implementing effective small-group instruction in secondary classrooms. Participants will unpack standards, identify learning targets, use assessment data to determine flexible groups, and explore structures that make small-group instruction manageable in middle and high school settings. Teachers will leave with a ready-to-use planning template and strategies they can implement immediately.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, CTE, Healthful Living, Occupational Course of Study
Topic(s): Building Learning System Capacity
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers

Presenters: Tonya Enoch | [email protected] | Teaching & Learning Coach; Maekrisha Jones | [email protected] | Math Coach
Location: Oak Grove Elementary School Media Center
Description: This interactive professional learning session equips educators with practical, research-based strategies for explicitly teaching students how to think about their thinking before, during, and after reading. Participants will explore how metacognitive instruction improves comprehension by helping students monitor their understanding, recognize when meaning breaks down, and apply appropriate fix-up strategies. Participants will also examine how explicit metacognitive instruction supports all learners, Participants will also examine how explicit metacognitive instruction supports all learners.
Subject Area(s): Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Explicit Teaching
Targeted Instructional Grades: 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Teachers