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Durham Public Schools PL
Welcome to the Durham Public Schools Professional Learning Schedule of Professional Learning! Here you will find a comprehensive list of PL sessions occurring throughout our district.

If you are looking for on-demand PL, click here to view the DPS Asynchronous PL Course Catalog.
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Wednesday, August 5
 

8:30am EDT

Amplify/Lectura: Building a Data Driven culture for Leaders | Facilitated by Curriculum and Instruction | Open District-Wide | Hillandale Elementary School
LIMITED
Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 11:30am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Amanda Hoffman | [email protected] | ELS
Location: Hillandale Elementary School
Description: Participants will interact with Amplify and Lectura by developing and learning the following: • In-depth analysis of how to interpret the data on the report, • How to use to inform and differentiate instruction • How to use it guide progress monitoring support • Administration fidelity and best practices
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): Assessment for Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches
Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 11:30am EDT
Hillandale Elementary School

8:30am EDT

Teaching with Purpose: Creating the Conditions for Human Flourishing | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Little River Elementary School; Lucas Middle School; Morehead Elementary School; George Watts Elementary School; Lakewood Montessori Middle School | Lu
FULL
Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 11:30am EDT
Limited Capacity full
Presenters: Seth Webb | [email protected] | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator; Justin Tosco | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Montessori is more than a curriculum: it is a life-affirming way of relating to children and adolescents that recognizes their innate potential, offers individualized pathways to success, and provides tailored support. In this interactive session participants will reconnect with core Montessori principles and practices, reflect on their own priorities and motivations, and leave energized and inspired to begin the new school year.
Subject Area(s): Strategy-Based for any content
Topic(s): Social Emotional, Curriculum and Instruction, Increased Rigor, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific)
Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 11:30am EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

8:30am EDT

Principles of Outdoor Learning In Montessori Environments | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Little River Elementary School; Lucas Middle School; Morehead Elementary School; George Watts Elementary School; Lakewood Montessori Middle School | The Hub Farm
FULL
Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity full
Presenters: Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator; Erin Carroll | [email protected] | Presenter; Justin Tosco | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: The Hub Farm TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY The outdoor environment is a prepared environment, and the DPS Hub Farm is one of the richest classrooms we have access to. Join us for a morning of hands-on exploration rooted in core outdoor learning principles, experienced through a Montessori lens. You'll tour the farm with lesson planning in mind, discovering how outdoor spaces naturally support independence, interdisciplinary inquiry, and child-led investigation. The experience will conclude with the preparation of a shared community meal, offering time to connect and build relationships with colleagues committed to joyful, place-based learning. Participants will be invited to stay through the lunch break and eat this meal. Session is 8:30-12:30 counting lunch but only 3 CEUs will be earned.
Subject Area(s): Strategy-Based for any content
Topic(s): Outdoor Learning, Social Emotional, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Instructional Assistants, Principals, School Counselors, Teachers
Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 12:30pm EDT
The Hub Farm TBA

8:30am EDT

From Read Aloud to Reciprocal Teaching: A Montessori Path to Comprehension and Independence | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Curriculum and Instruction; Little River Elementary School; Lucas Middle School; Mentors; Morehead Elementary School; George Wat
FULL
Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 4:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity full
Presenters: Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Linda Zankowsky | [email protected] | Presenter; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator; Justin Tosco | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY This one-day workshop strengthens Montessori literacy instruction through a coherent approach to comprehension. The morning focuses on interactive repeated read-aloud, showing how purposeful text engagement builds vocabulary, understanding, and key thinking habits. Participants explore how Montessori principles-repetition with variation, independence, and purposeful work-are enacted through read-aloud, aligned purposeful shelf work, and gradual release. The afternoon shifts to Reciprocal Teaching, illustrating how these same thinking moves evolve from teacher modeling to student-led dialogue in older classrooms. By day's end, teachers leave with practical strategies and a clear pathway from guided comprehension to independent thinking across age levels.
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Principals, Teachers
Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 4:00pm EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

8:30am EDT

Montessori Boot Camp--PART 1 | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Little River Elementary School; Mentors; Morehead Elementary School; George Watts Elementary School | Other... TBD
FULL
Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 4:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity full
Presenters: Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator; Teresa Van Acker | [email protected] | Facilitator; Joy Mason | [email protected] | Presenter; Wimena Jackson | [email protected] | Presenter; Cathea Sanders | [email protected] | Presenter; Rachel Sulin | [email protected] | Presenter; India Adams | [email protected] | Presenter; Justin Tosco | [email protected] | Presenter
Location: Other... TBD
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Practical, hands-on, hard-core, focused time for teachers and IAs with limited Montessori experience or training diving into an Elementary classroom
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Increased Rigor, 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: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Instructional Assistants, Teachers
Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 4:00pm EDT
Other... TBD

8:30am EDT

DEEP DIVE--Adolescent Montessori Routines | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Lucas Middle School; Lakewood Montessori Middle School | Lucas Middle School TBA
FULL
Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 4:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity full
Presenters: Katie Keller Wood | [email protected] | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator; Justin Tosco | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY
Subject Area(s): Strategy-Based for any content
Topic(s): Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Curriculum and Instruction, Increased Rigor, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Assistant Principals, Instructional Assistants, School Counselors, Teachers
Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 4:00pm EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

10:00am EDT

RethinkEd Early Colleges Training | Facilitated by Student Support Services | Open District-Wide | https://t.ly/SDM5a
LIMITED
Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Gloria Sanchez | [email protected] | SEL & Mental Health Coordinator
Location: https://t.ly/SDM5a
Description: RethinkEd Training
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): DPS Adopted Resources
Targeted Instructional Grades: 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific)
Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Online

10:00am EDT

Session 2: Disaggregating Discipline Data for Equity (Data with Dignity: Using Equity-Centered Inquiry to Drive Change) | Facilitated by Student Support Services | Open District-Wide | https://t.ly/UwAIb
LIMITED
Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Iwinosa Idahor | [email protected] | Equity Affairs; Melissa Watson | [email protected] | Director of Student Alternatives & Supports
Location: https://t.ly/UwAIb
Description: This interactive session helps educators and school system leaders connect the dots between perception, policy, and place. Participants examine how their own mental models are shaped by broader social norms—and how those patterns influence who teaches, who learns, and who thrives. Using Educators Handbook and Panorama discipline dashboards, participants will surface patterns, question assumptions, and strengthen their ability to lead equity-centered, restorative change.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Culturally Responsive Practices, Social Emotional, Equity, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional), Leadership
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific)
Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Online
  *None (Non-Instructional), Culturally Responsive Practices, Social Emotional, Equity, Student-Centered Learning
  • ONLINE MEETING URL https://t.ly/UwAIb
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10:00am EDT

Every Entry Matters: Using Educators Handbook Data to Build Safer, Stronger, More Supportive Schools | Facilitated by Student Support Services | Open District-Wide | Bacon Street 54
LIMITED
Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Ericka Boone | [email protected] | New Directions Center Coordinator; Kendra Suggs-Shealey | [email protected] | District Intervention & Support Coordinator
Location: Bacon Street 54
Description: Educators Handbook is more than a discipline documentation system; it is a powerful decision-making tool that can help schools identify trends, strengthen prevention efforts, improve equity, and support positive school climates. This interactive session will help school leaders and school-based teams move beyond compliance by using discipline data to inform meaningful action. Participants will explore how high-quality documentation, thoughtful data analysis, and consistent reporting practices can reveal opportunities to improve student support, strengthen restorative responses, identify emerging concerns such as bullying or attendance challenges, and guide school improvement efforts. Through collaborative analysis of real-world scenarios and discipline data, participants will leave with practical strategies and an action plan for using Educators Handbook to build safer, stronger, and more supportive schools where every entry contributes to better outcomes for students.
Subject Area(s): Strategy-Based for any content, *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Coaching and Mentoring, Culturally Responsive Practices, Leadership, MTSS, PowerSchool-Infinite Campus, Safety, School Counselors, School Social Work, Social Emotional, Beginning Teachers, Communication Skills, Equity, Infinite Campus
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional), Leadership
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific), Assistant Directors, Assistant Superintendents, Coordinators, Directors, Interventionists, Leads, Mentors, Social Workers, Assistant Coordinators, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Itinerant Teachers, Psychologists, School Counselors, Specialists, Substitute Teachers, Teachers
Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Bacon Street 54

12:30pm EDT

Amplify/Lectura: Building a Data Driven culture for Leaders #2 | Facilitated by Curriculum and Instruction | Open District-Wide | Hillandale Elementary School
LIMITED
Wednesday August 5, 2026 12:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Amanda Hoffman | [email protected] | ELS
Location: Hillandale Elementary School
Description: Participants will interact with Amplify and Lectura by developing and learning the following: • In-depth analysis of how to interpret the data on the report, • How to use to inform and differentiate instruction • How to use it guide progress monitoring support • Administration fidelity and best practices
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): Assessment for Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches
Wednesday August 5, 2026 12:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Hillandale Elementary School

12:30pm EDT

Amplify/Lectura: Building a Data Driven culture for Leaders | Facilitated by Curriculum and Instruction | Open District-Wide | Hillandale Elementary School
LIMITED
Wednesday August 5, 2026 12:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Presenters: Amanda Hoffman | [email protected] | ELS
Location: Hillandale Elementary School
Description: Participants will interact with Amplify and Lectura by developing and learning the following: • In-depth analysis of how to interpret the data on the report, • How to use to inform and differentiate instruction • How to use it guide progress monitoring support • Administration fidelity and best practices
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): Assessment for Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches
Wednesday August 5, 2026 12:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Hillandale Elementary School

1:00pm EDT

Responsive Student Assessment: Scientific Observation in the Montessori Classroom | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Little River Elementary School; Lucas Middle School; Morehead Elementary School; George Watts Elementary School; Lakewood Montessori Middl
FULL
Wednesday August 5, 2026 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity full
Presenters: Seth Webb | [email protected] | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator; Justin Tosco | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Quality observation is a teacher’s most authentic form of assessment: it helps us to understand our students more deeply, recognize patterns in development and engagement, and make thoughtful decisions about lessons, classroom environments, and support. In this interactive session, participants will explore using a suite of observation tools, practice collecting and analyzing objective data, and leave with concrete strategies that they can immediately apply in their own environments to better support the students in their care.
Subject Area(s): Strategy-Based for any content
Topic(s): Social Emotional, Curriculum and Instruction, Increased Rigor, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific)
Wednesday August 5, 2026 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

1:01pm EDT

The Power of Solo Time | Facilitated by Magnet Programs | Little River Elementary School; Lucas Middle School; Morehead Elementary School; George Watts Elementary School; Lakewood Montessori Middle School | Lucas Middle School TBA
FULL
Wednesday August 5, 2026 1:01pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity full
Presenters: Rita Rathbone | [email protected] | Facilitator; Krystene Kohel | [email protected] | Presenter; Kelly Bush | [email protected] | Facilitator; Justin Tosco | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Lucas Middle School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Solo time is a powerful yet often overlooked practice in the adolescent Montessori classroom. In this interactive session, educators will explore how to teach and implement solo time to support independence, identity development, and emotional regulation. Participants will experience simple, adaptable activities they can bring directly into their classrooms.
Subject Area(s): Strategy-Based for any content
Topic(s): Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Instructional Assistants, Principals, School Counselors, Teachers
Wednesday August 5, 2026 1:01pm - 3:00pm EDT
Lucas Middle School TBA

2:00pm EDT

New Principal Orientation | Facilitated by School Leadership | Open District-Wide | Staff Development Center M9
Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Presenters: Kecia Rogers | [email protected] | Assistant Superintendent
Location: Staff Development Center M9
Description: New Principals will learn DPS specific information, processes and protocols.
Subject Area(s): Strategy-Based for any content
Topic(s): Leadership
Targeted Instructional Grades: Leadership
Targeted Roles: Assistant Principals, Principals
Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Staff Development Center M9
 


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