Durham Public Schools PL

Presenters: Dr. Jessica Perry | [email protected] | Principal
Location: Parkwood Elementary School Main Office Conference Room
Description: This introductory session provides an overview of IMPACT Teams and how they build on the foundation of traditional Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). Participants will explore the purpose, structure, and key components of IMPACT Teams, and understand how these collaborative, data-driven teams can drive student growth and instructional improvement
Subject Area(s): Arts, Digital Learning Standards, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Strategy-Based for any content, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Advanced Academics-AIG, Assessments-Data-Accountability, English Learner Services, Exceptional Children, Increased Rigor, MTSS, Assessment for Learning, Building Learning System Capacity, Communication Skills, Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analysis, DPS Adopted Resources, Effective Feedback Strategies, Equity, Instructional Assistants, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, *None (Non-Instructional), Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, Leadership
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific)

Presenters: Julie Haase | [email protected] | EC Facilitator; Cynthia Nnaemeka | [email protected] | AIG K-2 Specialist; Bradley Jordan | [email protected] | AIG 3-5 Specialist; I-Chun Lee | [email protected] | ESL Specialist
Location: Parkwood Elementary School Media Center
Description: This session provides teachers and staff with strategies and best practices for effectively supporting Exceptional Children (EC), Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG), and English Learner (EL) students at Parkwood Elementary. Participants will explore differentiated instruction techniques, targeted interventions, and collaborative approaches to meet the diverse learning needs of all students. The session will also highlight resources, tools, and school-wide supports available to ensure academic growth, engagement, and success for every learner.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Strategy-Based for any content, ELA , Healthful Living, Skill-Based Instruction (OTs‚ PTs‚ etc.), *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Advanced Academics-AIG, Culturally Responsive Practices, English Learner Services, Exceptional Children, DPS Adopted Resources, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, *None (Non-Instructional), Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, Leadership
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific)

Presenters: Les Turner | [email protected] | Arts Director
Location:
Description: Quarterly Meeting
Subject Area(s): Arts
Topic(s): Coaching and Mentoring, Beginning Teachers
Targeted Instructional Grades: Leadership
Targeted Roles: Coordinators, Directors, Group Leaders

Presenters: Heidi Perez | [email protected] | Literacy Specialist
Location: Lakeview School Cafetorium
Description: In this PD on Explicit Teaching and DOK Layering, participants will learn how to design and deliver lessons that move students from surface understanding to deeper levels of thinking. Teachers will apply these skills by intentionally planning each phase of the Explicit Teaching Model and aligning tasks with increasing DOK levels to build rigor. Mastery will be evident through lesson artifacts, classroom application, reflective feedback, and evidence of improved student engagement and higher-order thinking.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Standards Aligned Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade, Leadership
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Assistant Coordinators, Principals, Teachers

Presenters: Elizabeth Limon | [email protected] | EC Facilitator
Location: C.C. Spaulding Elementary Media Center
Description: his introductory professional-development session provides educators with a foundational understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the framework for supporting Exceptional Children (EC) in K–12 schools. Participants will explore the core principles of IDEA, including the rights of students with disabilities, legal responsibilities of schools, and key components of the special education process—from referral and evaluation to IEP development and service delivery.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, *None (Non-Instructional), Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, Leadership
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Interventionists, Leads, Instructional Assistants, Principals, Teachers

Presenters: LaShonda Morrisey | [email protected] | Teacher
Location: Lakeview School Cafetorium
Description: This professional development session is designed to support teachers in strengthening their instruction and assessment practices, aligning them with End-of-Course (EOC) expectations.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living, Skill-Based Instruction (OTs‚ PTs‚ etc.), *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Assessments-Data-Accountability
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade, Leadership
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific)

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

Presenters: Al Royster | [email protected] | Executive Director - R&A; Kristi Orange | [email protected] | Teach & Learning - Panorama
Location: https://t.ly/10sQ7
Description: Participants will be introduced to Solara, an AI tool within the Panorama platform that helps educators analyze trends across academics, attendance, behavior, and student survey data to identify student needs. The session will demonstrate how Solara can summarize student data, draft communications, and support instructional and intervention planning by allowing staff to upload specific students and class rosters. Participants will also explore Solara’s Tools Library, which integrates district resources. Solara operates within Panorama with district-controlled access and strong student data privacy protections.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Strategy-Based for any content, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Assessments-Data-Accountability, English Learner Services, Increased Rigor, Information Technology, MTSS, Assessment for Learning, Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analysis
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, Leadership
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Principals, Teachers

Presenters: Al Royster | [email protected] | Executive Director - R&A; Kristi Orange | [email protected] | Teach & Learning - Panorama
Location: https://t.ly/10sQ7
Description: Participants will be introduced to Solara, an AI tool within the Panorama platform that helps educators analyze trends across academics, attendance, behavior, and student survey data to identify student needs. The session will demonstrate how Solara can summarize student data, draft communications, and support instructional and intervention planning by allowing staff to upload specific students and class rosters. Participants will also explore Solara’s Tools Library, which integrates district resources. Solara operates within Panorama with district-controlled access and strong student data privacy protections.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Strategy-Based for any content, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Assessments-Data-Accountability, English Learner Services, Increased Rigor, Information Technology, MTSS, Assessment for Learning, Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analysis
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, Leadership
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Principals, Teachers

Presenters: Al Royster | [email protected] | Executive Director - R&A; Kristi Orange | [email protected] | Teach & Learning - Panorama
Location: https://t.ly/10sQ7
Description: Participants will be introduced to Solara, an AI tool within the Panorama platform that helps educators analyze trends across academics, attendance, behavior, and student survey data to identify student needs. The session will demonstrate how Solara can summarize student data, draft communications, and support instructional and intervention planning by allowing staff to upload specific students and class rosters. Participants will also explore Solara’s Tools Library, which integrates district resources. Solara operates within Panorama with district-controlled access and strong student data privacy protections.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Strategy-Based for any content, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Assessments-Data-Accountability, English Learner Services, Increased Rigor, Information Technology, MTSS, Assessment for Learning, Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analysis
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, Leadership
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Principals, Teachers