Durham Public Schools PL: Full Schedule

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.

10:00am EDT

May 2025 ECF/EC Leads Monthly Meeting | Facilitated by Exceptional Children | Exceptional Children | Staff Development Center M-1

LIMITED

Tuesday May 27, 2025 10:00am - 9:37pm EDT

Staff Development Center M-1

Limited Capacity seats available

Presenters: Wendy Vavrousek | [email protected] | Facilitator; Hannah Hribar | [email protected] | Facilitator; Elaina Bradley | [email protected] | Facilitator; Ajalyn Baker | [email protected] | Facilitator
Location: Staff Development Center M-1
Description: Participants will receive updates regarding work responsibilities in preparation for the end of the 2024-25 school year.
Subject Area(s): Skill-Based Instruction (OTs‚ PTs‚ etc.)
Topic(s): Professional Learning System and Processes
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: Group Leaders, Facilitators

Tuesday May 27, 2025 10:00am - 9:37pm EDT
Staff Development Center M-1

Skill-Based Instruction (OTs‚ PTs‚ etc.), 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

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8:30am EDT

2025-26 EC Leadership Retreat | Facilitated by Exceptional Children | Exceptional Children | Staff Development Center M-1

LIMITED

Friday August 15, 2025 8:30am - 3:30pm EDT

Staff Development Center M-1

Limited Capacity seats available

Presenters: Kristin Bell | [email protected] | Executive Director; Wendy Vavrousek | [email protected] | Elementary EC Director; Ken Hill | [email protected] | Secondary EC Director; Krista Saunders | [email protected] | EC Director for Specialized Programs and Behavior Support; April Washington | [email protected] | PreK EC Director
Location: Staff Development Center M-1
Description: Participants will reset our clarity of purpose—who we are and what we do. Refocus on how we do what we do: Model, Connect, Involve; and Reignite processes and systems essential to monitoring and evaluating our efforts and outcomes as we go.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Exceptional Children, Leadership
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: Leads, Facilitators

Friday August 15, 2025 8:30am - 3:30pm EDT
Staff Development Center M-1

*None (Non-Instructional), Exceptional Children, Leadership

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2:00pm EDT

Exceptional Children Module 1: The Long and Winding Road: Are We There Yet? The State of EC in DPS / Review of Pitfalls and Common Mistakes | Facilitated by Exceptional Children | Open District-Wide | Staff Development Center M-1

LIMITED

Wednesday October 1, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Staff Development Center M-1

Limited Capacity seats available

Presenters: Kristin Bell | [email protected] | Executive Director for EC; Wendy Vavrousek | [email protected] | EC Director; Krista Saunders | [email protected] | EC Director; Ken Hill | [email protected] | EC Director
Location: Staff Development Center M-1
Description: Participants will learn the status of exceptional children matters in Durham Public Schools, their role as an administrator to ensure the delivery of a free appropriate public education to every student with an individualized education program.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
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: Assistant Superintendents, Directors, Superintendents, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Principals, Specialists, Teachers

Wednesday October 1, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Staff Development Center M-1

*None (Non-Instructional), Exceptional Children

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5:00pm EST

HS Department Chair Meeting | Facilitated by Curriculum and Instruction | Open District-Wide | Staff Development Center M-1

Thursday November 13, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST

Staff Development Center M-1

Presenters: Liz Moffitt | [email protected] | Director of Math & Science; Gabrielle Hall | [email protected] | Executive Director of C&I for Middle Schools; Heidi Perez | [email protected] | Secondary Literacy Specialist; Emma Refvem | [email protected] | Secondary Science Specialist; Kenya Lawrence | [email protected] | Secondary Math Specialist
Location: Staff Development Center M-1
Description: This is the quarterly meeting for high school department chairs.
Subject Area(s): Global Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Topic(s): Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction
Targeted Instructional Grades: 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade
Targeted Roles: Leads, Teachers

Thursday November 13, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST
Staff Development Center M-1

Global Languages, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade | Mathematics, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade | Science, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade | Social Studies, 9th Grade, 11th Grade, 10th Grade, 12th Grade

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9:00am EST

McKinney-Vento 101: Supporting Students in Transition | Facilitated by Student Support Services | School Nutrition Services | Staff Development Center M-1

LIMITED

Thursday December 4, 2025 9:00am - 9:30am EST

Staff Development Center M-1

Limited Capacity seats available

Presenters: Dr. Mattocks-Perry | [email protected] | Senior Executive Director of Student Support Services; Tomeka Ward Satterfield | [email protected] | Director of Student Wellness & Advocacy; Ebony Ross | [email protected] | McKinney-Vento Coordinator
Location: Staff Development Center M-1
Description: In this session, participants will engage in a brief welcome and connection activity before receiving a clear overview of the McKinney-Vento Act. We will discuss the basic rights of students experiencing homelessness and outline the supports and resources available within Durham Public Schools. This session is designed to build understanding, strengthen compliance, and ensure that staff are equipped to support students in transition.
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Student Wellness and Advocacy
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional)
Targeted Roles: All Roles (Non-Specific)

Thursday December 4, 2025 9:00am - 9:30am EST
Staff Development Center M-1

*None (Non-Instructional), Student Wellness and Advocacy

SESSION MATERIALS https://t.ly/0u7VA
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9:00am EST

EC Discipline Policy and MDR's | Facilitated by Exceptional Children | Exceptional Children | Staff Development Center M-1

LIMITED

Tuesday December 16, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am EST

Staff Development Center M-1

Limited Capacity seats available

Presenters: Kristin Bell | [email protected] | Executive Director for EC; Carolyn Murchison | [email protected] | Attorney; Wendy Vavrousek | [email protected] | EC Director
Location: Staff Development Center M-1
Description: Participants will learn policy obligations/requirements when it comes to disciplinary action for students with disabilities, including Manifestation Determination Review processes.
Subject Area(s): Skill-Based Instruction (OTs‚ PTs‚ etc.)
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: Leadership
Targeted Roles: Leads, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Principals, Psychologists

Tuesday December 16, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am EST
Staff Development Center M-1

Skill-Based Instruction (OTs‚ PTs‚ etc.), Leadership

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10:30am EST

December ECF/EC Leads and School Psychologists monthly meeting | Facilitated by Exceptional Children | Exceptional Children | Staff Development Center M-1

LIMITED

Tuesday December 16, 2025 10:30am - 1:00pm EST

Staff Development Center M-1

Limited Capacity seats available

Presenters: Wendy Vavrousek | [email protected] | EC Director; Hannah Hribar | [email protected] | Lead ECF; Elaina Bradley | [email protected] | Lead ECF; Ajalyn Baker | [email protected] | Lead ECF; Sharon Richardson | [email protected] | Lead ECF
Location: Staff Development Center M-1
Description: Participants will understand the factors for consideration of evaluations, including outside/private evaluations, that IEP teams will review in light of making eligibility determinations for special education services for students.
Subject Area(s): Skill-Based Instruction (OTs‚ PTs‚ etc.)
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: Leadership
Targeted Roles: Leads, Facilitators, Psychologists

Tuesday December 16, 2025 10:30am - 1:00pm EST
Staff Development Center M-1

Skill-Based Instruction (OTs‚ PTs‚ etc.), Leadership

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8:30am EST

Required LEA Representative Training: Option A | Facilitated by Exceptional Children | School Leadership | Staff Development Center M-1

LIMITED

Tuesday January 20, 2026 8:30am - 4:30pm EST

Staff Development Center M-1

Limited Capacity seats available

Presenters: Dr. Kristin Bell | [email protected] | Presenter; Kenneth Hill | [email protected] | Presenter; Wendy Vavrousek | [email protected] | Presenter; Krista Saunders | [email protected] | Presenter; April Washington | [email protected] | Presenter
Location: Staff Development Center M-1
Description: Topics for this day long training include: 1. The Long and Winding Road: State of EC in DPS/Review of Pitfalls and Common Mistakes 2. How to Be an Effective LEA Representative 3. Seclusion & Restraint Policy Updates & Training 4. Child Find: The Intersection of MTSS, 504 and EC 5. Documentation Essentials: Progress Monitoring (A Review of the Courts’ View: What’s Helpful, What Isn’t—and How to Help Teachers Monitor the IEP
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional), Leadership
Targeted Roles: Assistant Superintendents, Directors, Superintendents, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Principals

Tuesday January 20, 2026 8:30am - 4:30pm EST
Staff Development Center M-1

*None (Non-Instructional), Exceptional Children

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8:00am EST

January PLC | Facilitated by Advanced Academics-AIG | Advanced Academics-AIG | Staff Development Center M-1

LIMITED

Friday January 23, 2026 8:00am - 12:30pm EST

Staff Development Center M-1

Limited Capacity seats available

Presenters: Laura Parrott | [email protected] | Director
Location: Staff Development Center M-1
Description: Monthly AIG PLC
Subject Area(s): Strategy-Based for any content
Topic(s): Advanced Academics-AIG
Targeted Instructional Grades: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade
Targeted Roles: Specialists

Friday January 23, 2026 8:00am - 12:30pm EST
Staff Development Center M-1

Strategy-Based for any content, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade

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8:30am EST

Required LEA Representative Training: Option C | Facilitated by Exceptional Children | School Leadership | Staff Development Center M-1

LIMITED

Monday February 16, 2026 8:30am - 4:30pm EST

Staff Development Center M-1

Limited Capacity seats available

Presenters: Dr. Kristin Bell | [email protected] | Presenter; Kenneth Hill | [email protected] | Presenter; Wendy Vavrousek | [email protected] | Presenter; Krista Saunders | [email protected] | Presenter; April Washington | [email protected] | Presenter; Hannah Hribar | [email protected] | Support
Location: Staff Development Center M-1
Description: Topics for this day long training include: 1. The Long and Winding Road: State of EC in DPS/Review of Pitfalls and Common Mistakes 2. How to Be an Effective LEA Representative 3. Seclusion & Restraint Policy Updates & Training 4. Child Find: The Intersection of MTSS, 504 and EC 5. Documentation Essentials: Progress Monitoring (A Review of the Courts’ View: What’s Helpful, What Isn’t—and How to Help Teachers Monitor the IEP
Subject Area(s): *None (Non-Instructional)
Topic(s): Exceptional Children
Targeted Instructional Grades: *None (Non-Instructional), Leadership
Targeted Roles: Assistant Superintendents, Directors, Superintendents, Assistant Principals, Facilitators, Principals

Monday February 16, 2026 8:30am - 4:30pm EST
Staff Development Center M-1

*None (Non-Instructional), Exceptional Children