Durham Public Schools PL

Presenters: CMSTEMP | katie@cmstep.com | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY This session is designed for any staff working in or supporting a Montessori school in an instructional role. It provides a broad understanding of the principles that guide Montessori Instruction
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Social Emotional, Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Assistants, 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: Coordinators, Directors, Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Instructional Assistants, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Katie McClure | Katelin.McClure@dpsnc.net | Presenter
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY This full day session will offer an extensive framework for comprehensive reading instruction in child-centered Montessori classrooms. Participants will leave with a series of questions that they can use in their schools to evaluate their school wide approach to teaching reading and develop plans for filling in identified gaps.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, 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, Assistant Principals, Principals, Teachers

Presenters: Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Ashlie Canipe | ashlie_canipe@dpsnc.net | Presenter
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY What is a Montessori "cycle of study"? How does a thematic cycle of study support students' growth in academics, community, and development of self? What are other teachers doing in their Montessori classrooms to facilitate communication with families, group initiatives, projects, seminars, field studies, culminating activities, and building on students' other Montessori experiences? Attend this session to participate in a reflective overview suitable for new and experienced teachers, as well as lengthy planning time for reviewing others' materials and creating your own with as much feedback as you wish! You'll leave with new ideas, new materials, and new perspectives to take into your 2025-2026 school year. This session is led by a Montessori-certified elective teacher (Latin), and activities will be suitable for core teachers, elective teachers, and IAs and EC teachers who want to take a deep dive by drafting their own instructional materials or amending existing materials.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, 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, Teachers

Presenters: CMSTEMP | katie@cmstep.com | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY This session is designed for any staff working in or supporting a Montessori school in an instructional role. It provides a broad understanding of the principles that guide Montessori Instruction
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Social Emotional, Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Assistants, 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: Coordinators, Directors, Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Instructional Assistants, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Amanda Watson | amanda_watson@dpsnc.net | Presenter
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY This session will help Primary teachers seamlessly integrate SOR into the Language area of the Montessori classroom.
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, Kindergarten
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Teachers

Presenters: CMSTEMP | katie@cmstep.com | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA
Topic(s): Culturally Responsive Practices, Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Equity, Instructional Assistants, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Coordinators, Directors, Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Instructional Assistants, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Linda Zankowsky | lzankow@udel.edu | Presenter
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY This session focuses on how the Montessori cultural curriculum lays the foundation for reading comprehension and vocabulary development. We’ll explore how it provides rich, authentic reading and writing opportunities, from oral composition and read-aloud for young children to reading and writing composition for older students. The session will also cover research supporting this approach, key considerations in selecting texts for the cultural curriculum, and hands-on work with specific books.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, 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: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Principals, Teachers

Presenters: Geoff Sheelen | geofrey_seelen@dpsnc.net | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY 8:30-9:30 Little River 10:00-11:30 Hub Farm (117 Milton Rd, Durham NC 27712) Principles of outdoor learning History of programming at the Hub Farm Vision for the future of the programming at the Hub Farm Guided tour of Durham Public Schools’ unique outdoor learning campus Opportunities for Q&A with Geoff Discussion on the proposed plan for future programming at the Hub Farm
Subject Area(s): CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Outdoor Learning, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Principals, Teachers

Presenters: Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Katie Mosquera | katie.mosquera@public-montessori.org | Presenter; Seth Webb | seth.webb@public-montessori.org | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Rediscover the beauty, logic, and transformative power of Montessori mathematics and geometry - revisiting how math and geometry become tools for discovery, allowing students to construct their understanding through hands-on materials and guided exploration. Rooted in Montessori’s principles of sensorial learning, reasoning, and abstraction, participants will deepen their practice with essential materials and strategies that empower children to uncover mathematical and geometric truths for themselves. Participants will renew their understanding of math and geometry, not as isolated subjects, but as universal languages—tools that help children uncover patterns, relationships, and the interconnectedness of the universe, fulfilling the deeper purpose of Cosmic Education. The morning Lower Elementary sessions will focus on building fluency, vocabulary, and multi-step reasoning through core math and foundational geometry materials. The Upper Elementary afternoon sessions will Emphasize abstraction, advanced operations, and deriving relationships in math and geometry through discovery.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 2nd Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Instructional Assistants, Principals, Teachers

Presenters: Kara Watson | kara_watson@dpsnc.net | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Book Chats! is a program created by Lakewood Montessori educators to help students build goal setting skills, establish themselves as regular readers, improve fluency, build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, have scheduled opportunities to check out books, and learn to talk about literature. “The act of goal setting, therefore, is a practice that educators can use to help fuel students’ learning-to-learn skills, such as a sense of agency, intrinsic motivation, and capacity to manage their own learning.” Student Goal Setting: An Evidence-Based Practice Through our Book Chat plan, we allow students to self-select books. There is abundant research to support this effort. According to a study done by the Institute of Educational Sciences, “student self-selection of reading materials leads to greater pleasure and interest in reading (2017).” This same study shows that this joy and curiosity results in a greater motivation to read. Communities visit the library in school approximately every two weeks. We call this visit Book Chats. Adults meet with individual students to update their digital book tracker, (students have a paper tracker they must bring to every Book Chat. We talk about books they’ve recently completed, remind them of their goal, sometimes do a fluency check, help students find their ‘next book’, and encourage them to persevere with their reading.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA
Topic(s): Culturally Responsive Practices, Communication Skills, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Coordinators, Directors, Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Instructional Assistants, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: CMSTEMP | katie@cmstep.com | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE
Topic(s): Culturally Responsive Practices, Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Equity, Instructional Assistants, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Coordinators, Directors, Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Instructional Assistants, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Linda Zankowsky | lzankow@udel.edu | Presenter
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY This session focuses on how the Montessori cultural curriculum lays the foundation for reading comprehension and vocabulary development. We’ll explore how it provides rich, authentic reading and writing opportunities, from oral composition and read-aloud for young children to reading and writing composition for older students. The session will also cover research supporting this approach, key considerations in selecting texts for the cultural curriculum, and hands-on work with specific books.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, 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: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Principals, Teachers

Presenters: Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Katie Mosquera | katie.mosquera@public-montessori.org | Presenter; Seth Webb | seth.webb@public-montessori.org | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Rediscover the beauty, logic, and transformative power of Montessori mathematics and geometry - revisiting how math and geometry become tools for discovery, allowing students to construct their understanding through hands-on materials and guided exploration. Rooted in Montessori’s principles of sensorial learning, reasoning, and abstraction, participants will deepen their practice with essential materials and strategies that empower children to uncover mathematical and geometric truths for themselves. Participants will renew their understanding of math and geometry, not as isolated subjects, but as universal languages—tools that help children uncover patterns, relationships, and the interconnectedness of the universe, fulfilling the deeper purpose of Cosmic Education. The morning Lower Elementary sessions will focus on building fluency, vocabulary, and multi-step reasoning through core math and foundational geometry materials. The Upper Elementary afternoon sessions will Emphasize abstraction, advanced operations, and deriving relationships in math and geometry through discovery.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Standards Aligned Instruction, 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, Teachers

Presenters: CMSTEMP | katie@cmstep.com | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Coordinators, Directors, Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Holly Hardin | holly_hardin@dpsnc.net | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Rebecca Chafatelli | rebecca_chafatelli@dpsnc.net | Presenter
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY A hands on experience, where teachers can both learn from examples but also have time to begin planning their field experiences for the next school year to come with support from Montessori teachers
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, School Counselors, Teachers

Presenters: Geoff Sheelen | geofrey_seelen@dpsnc.net | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY 8:30-9:30 Little River 10:00-11:30 Hub Farm (117 Milton Rd, Durham NC 27712) Principles of outdoor learning History of programming at the Hub Farm Vision for the future of the programming at the Hub Farm Guided tour of Durham Public Schools’ unique outdoor learning campus Opportunities for Q&A with Geoff Discussion on the proposed plan for future programming at the Hub Farm
Subject Area(s): CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Outdoor Learning, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Principals, Teachers

Presenters: Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Katie Mosquera | katie.mosquera@public-montessori.org | Presenter; Seth Webb | seth.webb@public-montessori.org | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Rediscover the beauty, logic, and transformative power of Montessori mathematics and geometry - revisiting how math and geometry become tools for discovery, allowing students to construct their understanding through hands-on materials and guided exploration. Rooted in Montessori’s principles of sensorial learning, reasoning, and abstraction, participants will deepen their practice with essential materials and strategies that empower children to uncover mathematical and geometric truths for themselves. Participants will renew their understanding of math and geometry, not as isolated subjects, but as universal languages—tools that help children uncover patterns, relationships, and the interconnectedness of the universe, fulfilling the deeper purpose of Cosmic Education. The morning Lower Elementary sessions will focus on building fluency, vocabulary, and multi-step reasoning through core math and foundational geometry materials. The Upper Elementary afternoon sessions will Emphasize abstraction, advanced operations, and deriving relationships in math and geometry through discovery.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 2nd Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Instructional Assistants, Principals, Teachers

Presenters: Victor Hiraldo | Victor.Hiraldo@dpsnc.ent | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Katie McClure | Katelin.McClure@dpsnc.net | Presenter
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Participants will learn about the experience of being an English Learner, the language acquisition process, and its relationship to the Montessori model. They will explore culturally relevant teaching practices and learn instructional strategies that teach academic language in the content. There will also be time allotted to plan and create works to use for English Learners in the Montessori classroom.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Social Emotional, Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Assistants, 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: Coordinators, Directors, Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Instructional Assistants, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Teresa Van Acker | teresa_vanacker@dpsnc.net | Presenter; Winema Jackson | winema_jackson@dpsnc.net | Presenter
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
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 a Montessori Primary or Lower Elementary classroom
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, ELA
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Instructional Assistants, Teachers

Presenters: Kara Watson | kara_watson@dpsnc.net | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Book Chats! is a program created by Lakewood Montessori educators to help students build goal setting skills, establish themselves as regular readers, improve fluency, build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, have scheduled opportunities to check out books, and learn to talk about literature. “The act of goal setting, therefore, is a practice that educators can use to help fuel students’ learning-to-learn skills, such as a sense of agency, intrinsic motivation, and capacity to manage their own learning.” Student Goal Setting: An Evidence-Based Practice Through our Book Chat plan, we allow students to self-select books. There is abundant research to support this effort. According to a study done by the Institute of Educational Sciences, “student self-selection of reading materials leads to greater pleasure and interest in reading (2017).” This same study shows that this joy and curiosity results in a greater motivation to read. Communities visit the library in school approximately every two weeks. We call this visit Book Chats. Adults meet with individual students to update their digital book tracker, (students have a paper tracker they must bring to every Book Chat. We talk about books they’ve recently completed, remind them of their goal, sometimes do a fluency check, help students find their ‘next book’, and encourage them to persevere with their reading.
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA
Topic(s): Culturally Responsive Practices, Communication Skills, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Coordinators, Directors, Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Instructional Assistants, Principals, School Counselors, Specialists, Teachers

Presenters: Krystene Kohel | krystene_kohel@dpsnc.net | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Core Hlavaty | corie_hlavaty@dpsnc.net | Presenter
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY This session will explore the practical strategies to create a thriving adolescent Montessori classroom environment
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, School Counselors, Teachers

Presenters: CMSTEMP | katie@cmstep.com | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, School Counselors, Teachers

Presenters: Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Katie Mosquera | katie.mosquera@public-montessori.org | Presenter; Seth Webb | seth.webb@public-montessori.org | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY Rediscover the beauty, logic, and transformative power of Montessori mathematics and geometry - revisiting how math and geometry become tools for discovery, allowing students to construct their understanding through hands-on materials and guided exploration. Rooted in Montessori’s principles of sensorial learning, reasoning, and abstraction, participants will deepen their practice with essential materials and strategies that empower children to uncover mathematical and geometric truths for themselves. Participants will renew their understanding of math and geometry, not as isolated subjects, but as universal languages—tools that help children uncover patterns, relationships, and the interconnectedness of the universe, fulfilling the deeper purpose of Cosmic Education. The morning Lower Elementary sessions will focus on building fluency, vocabulary, and multi-step reasoning through core math and foundational geometry materials. The Upper Elementary afternoon sessions will Emphasize abstraction, advanced operations, and deriving relationships in math and geometry through discovery.
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Standards Aligned Instruction, 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, Teachers

Presenters: Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Amanda Watson | amanda_watson@dpsnc.net | Presenter
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY This session will help Primary teachers seamlessly integrate SOR into the Language area of the Montessori classroom.
Subject Area(s): ELA
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, Kindergarten
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Teachers

Presenters: Krystene Kohel | krystene_kohel@dpsnc.net | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Core Hlavaty | corie_hlavaty@dpsnc.net | Presenter
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY This session will explore the practical strategies to create a thriving adolescent Montessori classroom environment
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, School Counselors, Teachers

Presenters: CMSTEMP | katie@cmstep.com | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA , Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Social Emotional, Student Wellness and Advocacy, Assessment for Learning, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, School Counselors, Teachers

Presenters: Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Teresa Van Acker | teresa_vanacker@dpsnc.net | Presenter; Winema Jackson | winema_jackson@dpsnc.net | Presenter
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
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 a Montessori Primary or Lower Elementary classroom
Subject Area(s): Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Standards Aligned Instruction, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: Pre-K, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Instructional Assistants, Teachers

Presenters: Holly Hardin | holly_hardin@dpsnc.net | Presenter; Rita Rathbone | rita.rathbone@dpsnc.net | Facilitator; Rebecca Chafatelli | rebecca_chafatelli@dpsnc.net | Presenter
Location: Little River Elementary School TBA
Description: THIS SESSION IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS ONLY A hands on experience, where teachers can both learn from examples but also have time to begin planning their field experiences for the next school year to come with support from Montessori teachers
Subject Area(s): Arts, Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, CTE, Healthful Living
Topic(s): Increased Rigor, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading‚ Writing‚ Thinking‚ Speaking‚ Listening, Student-Centered Learning
Targeted Instructional Grades: 7th Grade, 6th Grade, 8th Grade
Targeted Roles: Instructional Coaches, Mentors, School Counselors, Teachers