Durham Public Schools PL

Presenters: Brenda Blue | brenda_blue@dpsnc.net | K-5 Teaching and learning Coach
Location: Riverside High School Room B224
Description: The goal is to equip teachers with strategies to design and deliver lessons that purposefully increase student engagement and improve learning outcomes.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Equity, Explicit Teaching, Increased Rigor, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Beginning Teachers, Culturally Responsive Practices, Differentiation/Scaffolding, English Learner Services, Exceptional Children, MTSS, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Assistants, Itinerant Teachers, Teachers

Presenters: Lakisha Bridges | lakisha_bridges@dpsnc.net | Coach; Stephanie Brock | stephanie_brock@dpsnc.net | Math Specialist
Location: Riverside High School Room C231
Description: In this seminar, we will explore transformative instructional models and practices designed to foster access, equity, and excellence in every math classroom. Participants will engage in deep reflection on how to honor the diverse strengths of all learners while unlocking their full potential. Central to our work will be an in-depth study of the Five Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematical Discussions—a powerful framework that positions students as authors of their own mathematical understanding. Join us to elevate your instructional approach and cultivate a learning environment where every student thrives. • Topic: Curriculum and Instruction; Increased Rigor; Reading, Writing, Thinking, Speaking, Listening; Culturally Responsive Practices; DPS Adopted Resources; Effective Feedback Strategies; Equity; Standards Aligned Instruction; Student-Centered Learning
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, DPS Adopted Resources, Equity, Increased Rigor, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Culturally Responsive Practices, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Assistants, Instructional Coaches, Interventionists, Teachers

Presenters: Dr. Iwinosa Idahor | iwinosa_idahor@dpsnc.net | Equity Affairs; Keaundra Robinson | keaundra_robinson@dpsnc.net | Equity Affairs; Shaneka Bynum | bynum1985@gmail.com | Community Partner; Dr. Brittani Clark | bgflcollective@gmail.com | Community Partner; Malenia Swinton | maleniaswinton13@gmail.com | Community Partner
Location: Riverside High School Room C231
Description: Literacy is the key to understanding the world around us through meaningful engagement with ideas in all forms. This session will focus on mobilizing and empowering teachers to educate and serve students--especially the most vulnerable among us--around reading as a liberatory practice that can connect and transform.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE
Topic(s): Equity, Culture and Climate, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Culturally Responsive Practices, Student-Centered Learning
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: Instructional Assistants, Instructional Coaches, Teachers

Presenters: Brenda Blue | brenda_blue@dpsnc.net | K-5 Teaching and learning Coach
Location: Hillside High School Room 111
Description: The goal is to equip teachers with strategies to design and deliver lessons that purposefully increase student engagement and improve learning outcomes.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Equity, Explicit Teaching, Increased Rigor, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Beginning Teachers, Culturally Responsive Practices, Differentiation/Scaffolding, English Learner Services, Exceptional Children, MTSS, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Assistants, Itinerant Teachers, Teachers

Presenters: Lakisha Bridges | lakisha_bridges@dpsnc.net | Coach; Stephanie Brock | stephanie_brock@dpsnc.net | Math Specialist
Location: Hillside High School Room 112
Description: In this seminar, we will focus on strengthening conceptual teaching and learning in the elementary mathematics classroom. Participants will explore the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) model as a powerful framework for building deep, transferable mathematical understanding. Through hands-on engagement with tools such as base ten blocks, fraction tiles, and counting collections, teachers will gain practical strategies for making abstract concepts accessible and meaningful to all learners. Join us as we bring mathematics to life through intentional, research-based practices that support student reasoning, retention, and confidence.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, DPS Adopted Resources, Equity, Increased Rigor, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Culturally Responsive Practices, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Assistants, Instructional Coaches, Interventionists, Teachers

Presenters: Iwinosa Idahor | iwinosa_idahor@dpsnc.net | Office of Equity Affairs; Keaundra Robinson | keaundra_robinson@dpsnc.net | Office of Equity Affairs; Kamia Norman | kamia_norman@dpsnc.net | Southwest ES; Angelia Ball Smith | Angelia_BallSmith@dpsnc.net | Y.E. Smith ES; Rita Rakestraw | Rita_Rakestraw@dpsnc.net | Ignite! Online Academy/Lakewood MMS
Location: Hillside High School Room 214
Description: Objective: To create a space where educators will learn from and with each other about how to support, affirm, empower, and impact young girls of color, in and out of the classroom.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living, None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Communication Skills, Equity, Culture and Climate, Social Emotional Learning, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Culturally Responsive Practices, Student-Centered 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
Targeted Roles: Assistant Principals, Principals, School Counselors, Teachers

Presenters: Alina Castillo | alina_castillo@dpsnc.net | 6-12 Math Specialist; Kenya Lawrence | kenya_lawrence@dpsnc.net | 6-12 Math Specialist
Location: Hillside High School Room 104
Description: This seminar highlights the power of research-based number sense routines as a foundation for developing mathematical reasoning in secondary students. Participants will explore a variety of engaging, low-floor, high-ceiling routines designed to deepen students’ understanding of number properties, enhance procedural fluency, and promote flexible thinking. These routines serve as powerful catalysts for mathematical discourse, encouraging students to articulate their strategies, justify their reasoning, and build on one another’s ideas. Join us as we uncover how consistent, intentional number sense routines can transform daily instruction and cultivate confident, capable mathematical thinkers.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Curriculum and Instruction, Increased Rigor, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Culturally Responsive Practices, DPS Adopted Resources, Equity, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Assistants, Instructional Coaches, Interventionists, Teachers

Presenters: Iwinosa Idahor | iwinosa_idahor@dpsnc.net | Office of Equity Affairs; Keaundra Robinson | keaundra_robinson@dpsnc.net | Office of Equity Affairs; Kamia Norman | kamia_norman@dpsnc.net | Southwest ES; Angelia Ball Smith | Angelia_BallSmith@dpsnc.net | Y.E. Smith ES; Rita Rakestraw | Rita_Rakestraw@dpsnc.net | Ignite! Online Academy/Lakewood MMS
Location: Hillside High School Room 214
Description: Objective: To create a space where educators will learn from and with each other about how to support, affirm, empower, and impact young girls of color, in and out of the classroom.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living, None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Communication Skills, Equity, Culture and Climate, Social Emotional Learning, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Culturally Responsive Practices, Student-Centered 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
Targeted Roles: Assistant Principals, Principals, School Counselors, Teachers