Move, Think, Learn! The Hidden Power of PE *
Date: April 30, 2026
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person
Location: Haywood County Schools Conference Center
112 Virginia Ave
Waynesville, NC 28786
Fee: $45 WRESA Members
$70 Non-members
**NOTE: We have a No Refund policy for our WRESA courses. However, you
are welcome to send a colleague in your place. Contact LaDonna Sluder at
lsluder@wresa.org or 828-774-5681 (ext 102) if you need to change the
name of the person attending.
CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Audience: K-12 PE teachers (Dress to move! We will be in a classroom
and in the gym practicing)
Limit: 75
Description:
Get ready to move in this interactive, high-energy workshop designed for Physical Education teachers! We’ll begin by unpacking the new PE standards and what they mean for daily practice, then shift into the science and purpose behind what you do: how movement shapes the brain, supports learning, and fuels student well-being. Together, we’ll explore the neuroscience of movement to better understand your powerful role in students’ focus, motivation, and emotional regulation. You’ll have the chance to share ideas with fellow educators and walk away with ready-to-use activities for your next class. Come ready to move, reflect, and leave inspired by the essential impact PE has on the mind, body, and heart of every learner.
Presenter: The instructor will be Dr. Natalie Boone from Mars Hill University. Dr. Natalie Boone, Assistant Professor of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation at Mars Hill University, was named the 2021 University Teacher of the Year by the Physical Education Association of NCSHAPE. The award recognizes members for leadership, meritorious service, and active organizational involvement. Dr. Boone teaches at MHU, advises education students, and supervises student teachers. She leads workshops for physical education teachers through NC SHAPE, WRESA, and NCCAT and has served on NC SHAPE and WRESA boards.
If you have additional questions, contact Jill Chambers at jchambers@wresa.org
If you are unsure whether your school system is a WRESA member, click WRESA MEMBER List.
REGISTER
Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary Teachers (Part 4)
Date: March 10, 2027
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person
Location: WRESA
200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206
Asheville, NC 28806
Fee: $45 WRESA Members
$70 Non-members
**NOTE: We have a No Refund policy for our WRESA courses. However, you
are welcome to send a colleague in your place. Contact Richard Gabriel
at rgabriel@wresa.org if you need to change the name of the person
attending.
CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 45 Participants
Audience: 6-12 ELA and Content Teachers, and Instructional Coaches
What to Bring: Your own device
Description:
Focus on the connection between reading and writing, the cognitive skills required, and the implications for the secondary classroom. Participants will learn effective instructional strategies for both analog and digital learning environments.
Presenter:
Kendra Cameron-Jarvis is the Senior Literacy Specialist at NCCAT. With a career in education that began in 2004, Kendra has served in various roles including middle and high school ELA educator, Secondary Literacy Coach, and Instructional Technologist with Buncombe County Schools. She has also contributed to state-level initiatives with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, leading efforts such as the North Carolina Coaching Cohort and the AI Collaborative. Additionally, Kendra has shared her expertise as an adjunct professor in UNCA’s Education Department. Her extensive experience reflects a deep commitment to advancing literacy and educational practices.
***IMPORTANT NOTE: The Secondary Literacy Badge series focuses on a research-to-practice exploration of the foundational skills in literacy with a focus on secondary literacy. You can earn an NCCAT Secondary Literacy Badge while deepening your own understanding of the building blocks of beginning reading. This program is intended for teachers in grades 6-12 and is part of a 4-day badge series for secondary literacy. Participants will learn effective instructional strategies for both analog and digital learning environments.
WRESA participants can take any number of the sessions; however, all four sessions must be completed to earn the NCCAT Literacy Badge. Below are the dates and the topics of the four sessions of the Secondary Literacy Badge series:
- Sept 24, 2026 – An Overview of the Science of Reading for Secondary Teachers
- Oct 28, 2026 – Vocabulary for Secondary Teachers
- Feb 11, 2027 – Comprehension for Secondary Teachers
- Mar 10, 2027 – The Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary Teachers
***NOTE – You must sign up and pay the fee for each session individually.
If you have additional questions, contact April Spencer at aspencer@wresa.org
If you are unsure whether your school system is a WRESA member, click WRESA MEMBER List.
REGISTER
Comprehension for Secondary Teachers (Part 3)
Date: February 11, 2027
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person
Location: WRESA
200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206
Asheville, NC 28806
Fee: $45 WRESA Members
$70 Non-members
**NOTE: We have a No Refund policy for our WRESA courses. However, you
are welcome to send a colleague in your place. Contact Richard Gabriel
at rgabriel@wresa.org if you need to change the name of the person
attending.
CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 45 Participants
Audience: 6-12 ELA and Content Teachers, and Instructional Coaches
What to Bring: Your own device
Description:
Focus on participants analyzing current research and best practices for effectively teaching reading comprehension strategies for the secondary classroom. Participants will apply new learning to create an implementation plan for teaching reading comprehension in their secondary classroom. Participants will learn effective instructional strategies for both analog and digital learning environments.
Presenter:
Kendra Cameron-Jarvis is the Senior Literacy Specialist at NCCAT. With a career in education that began in 2004, Kendra has served in various roles including middle and high school ELA educator, Secondary Literacy Coach, and Instructional Technologist with Buncombe County Schools. She has also contributed to state-level initiatives with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, leading efforts such as the North Carolina Coaching Cohort and the AI Collaborative. Additionally, Kendra has shared her expertise as an adjunct professor in UNCA’s Education Department. Her extensive experience reflects a deep commitment to advancing literacy and educational practices.
***IMPORTANT NOTE: The Secondary Literacy Badge series focuses on a research-to-practice exploration of the foundational skills in literacy with a focus on secondary literacy. You can earn an NCCAT Secondary Literacy Badge while deepening your own understanding of the building blocks of beginning reading. This program is intended for teachers in grades 6-12 and is part of a 4-day badge series for secondary literacy. Participants will learn effective instructional strategies for both analog and digital learning environments.
WRESA participants can take any number of the sessions; however, all four sessions must be completed to earn the NCCAT Literacy Badge. Below are the dates and the topics of the four sessions of the Secondary Literacy Badge series:
- Sept 24, 2026 – An Overview of the Science of Reading for Secondary Teachers
- Oct 28, 2026 – Vocabulary for Secondary Teachers
- Feb 11, 2027 – Comprehension for Secondary Teachers
- Mar 10, 2027 – The Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary Teachers
***NOTE – You must sign up and pay the fee for each session individually.
If you have additional questions, contact April Spencer at aspencer@wresa.org
If you are unsure whether your school system is a WRESA member, click WRESA MEMBER List.
REGISTER
Vocabulary for Teachers (Part 2)
Date: October 28, 2026
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person
Location: WRESA
200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206
Asheville, NC 28806
Fee: $45 WRESA Members
$70 Non-members
**NOTE: We have a No Refund policy for our WRESA courses. However, you
are welcome to send a colleague in your place. Contact Richard Gabriel
at rgabriel@wresa.org if you need to change the name of the person
attending.
CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 45 Participants
Audience: 6-12 ELA and Content Teachers, and Instructional Coaches
What to Bring: Your own device
Description:
Focus on how to accelerate vocabulary acquisition and knowledge gains in the secondary classroom using current research and best practices. Participants will learn effective instructional strategies for both analog and digital learning environments. This program is intended for teachers in grades 6-12, and is a part of a 4-day badge series for secondary literacy. It can be taken as a part of the badge series or independently.
Presenter:
Kendra Cameron-Jarvis is the Senior Literacy Specialist at NCCAT. With a career in education that began in 2004, Kendra has served in various roles including middle and high school ELA educator, Secondary Literacy Coach, and Instructional Technologist with Buncombe County Schools. She has also contributed to state-level initiatives with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, leading efforts such as the North Carolina Coaching Cohort and the AI Collaborative. Additionally, Kendra has shared her expertise as an adjunct professor in UNCA’s Education Department. Her extensive experience reflects a deep commitment to advancing literacy and educational practices.
***IMPORTANT NOTE: The Secondary Literacy Badge series focuses on a research-to-practice exploration of the foundational skills in literacy with a focus on secondary literacy. You can earn an NCCAT Secondary Literacy Badge while deepening your own understanding of the building blocks of beginning reading. This program is intended for teachers in grades 6-12 and is part of a 4-day badge series for secondary literacy. Participants will learn effective instructional strategies for both analog and digital learning environments.
WRESA participants can take any number of the sessions; however, all four sessions must be completed to earn the NCCAT Literacy Badge. Below are the dates and the topics of the four sessions of the Secondary Literacy Badge series:
- Sept 24, 2026 – An Overview of the Science of Reading for Secondary Teachers
- Oct 28, 2026 – Vocabulary for Secondary Teachers
- Feb 11, 2027 – Comprehension for Secondary Teachers
- Mar 10, 2027 – The Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary Teachers
***NOTE – You must sign up and pay the fee for each session individually.
If you have additional questions, contact April Spencer at aspencer@wresa.org
If you are unsure whether your school system is a WRESA member, click WRESA MEMBER List.
REGISTER
Powering Curiosity: Teaching Energy Efficiency Through Real-World STEM
Date: June 17, 2026
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person
Location: Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Ext. Center
455 Research Drive
Mills River, NC 28759
Fee: Free
**NOTE: We have a No Refund policy for our WRESA courses. However, you
are welcome to send a colleague in your place. Contact Richard Gabriel
at rgabriel@wresa.org if you need to change the name of the person
attending.
CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 40 Participants
Audience: 6-12 classroom teachers, STEM educators and instructional coaches,
Curriculum specialists, and Administrators interested in
sustainability and STEM integration
What to Bring: Your own device
Summary:
Discover how buildings, homes, and everyday systems can bring energy efficiency concepts to life for grades 6–12 students. Educators will engage in hands-on investigations, tour a LEED-certified building, and leave with practical, standards-aligned Switch Classroom lessons ready for the classroom.
Description:
Is your school or district looking for engaging, hands-on ways to teach energy concepts while meeting 6-12 science standards? Join us for a full-day professional learning workshop focused on energy efficiency, building science, and real-world STEM applications using Switch Classroom lessons and investigations.
Participants will explore the science of energy efficiency through interactive instruction, a tour of a LEED-certified building, and classroom-ready investigations that can be adapted for middle and high school learners. This turnkey experience connects science standards to authentic, place-based learning and provides practical ideas educators can take back to their classrooms.
Workshop Agenda (Tentative):
- 9:00 – 11:00am
Introduction to Energy Efficiency & the Science Behind It
- 11:00am – 1:30pm
Tour of a LEED-certified building, followed by lunch
(Participants will drive themselves; the tour will occur immediately before lunch.)
- 1:30 – 3:00pm
Hands-on Energy Efficiency Projects & Investigations:
-
- Innovative Building Design Research Project
- Family Energy Awareness Challenge / Home Electricity Audit
- Investigating Passive Solar Heating Lab
If you have additional questions, contact Michelle Taylor at mtbenign@ncsu.edu or Ruthann McComb at mccombr@gmail.com
REGISTER
An Overview of the Science of Reading for Secondary Teachers (Part I)
Date: Sept 24, 2026
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person
Location: WRESA
200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206
Asheville, NC 28806
Fee: $45 WRESA Members
$70 Non-members
**NOTE: We have a No Refund policy for our WRESA courses. However, you
are welcome to send a colleague in your place. Contact Richard Gabriel
at rgabriel@wresa.org if you need to change the name of the person
attending.
CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 45 Participants
Audience: 6-12 ELA and Content Teachers, and Instructional Coaches
What to Bring: Your own device
Description:
An overview of The Science of Reading and its relevancy and application in the secondary classroom. Participants will learn effective instructional strategies for both analog and digital learning environments. This program is intended for teachers in grades 6-12 and is part of a 4-day badge series for secondary literacy. It can be taken as a part of the badge series or independently.
Presenter:
Kendra Cameron-Jarvis is the Senior Literacy Specialist at NCCAT. With a career in education that began in 2004, Kendra has served in various roles including middle and high school ELA educator, Secondary Literacy Coach, and Instructional Technologist with Buncombe County Schools. She has also contributed to state-level initiatives with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, leading efforts such as the North Carolina Coaching Cohort and the AI Collaborative. Additionally, Kendra has shared her expertise as an adjunct professor in UNCA’s Education Department. Her extensive experience reflects a deep commitment to advancing literacy and educational practices.
***IMPORTANT NOTE: The Secondary Literacy Badge series focuses on a research-to-practice exploration of the foundational skills in literacy with a focus on secondary literacy. You can earn an NCCAT Secondary Literacy Badge while deepening your own understanding of the building blocks of beginning reading. This program is intended for teachers in grades 6-12 and is part of a 4-day badge series for secondary literacy. Participants will learn effective instructional strategies for both analog and digital learning environments.
WRESA participants can take any number of the sessions; however, all four sessions must be completed to earn the NCCAT Literacy Badge. Below are the dates and the topics of the four sessions of the Secondary Literacy Badge series:
- Sept 24, 2026 – An Overview of the Science of Reading for Secondary Teachers
- Oct 28, 2026 – Vocabulary for Secondary Teachers
- Feb 11, 2027 – Comprehension for Secondary Teachers
- Mar 10, 2027 – The Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary Teachers
***NOTE – You must sign up and pay the fee for each session individually.
If you have additional questions, contact April Spencer at aspencer@wresa.org
If you are unsure whether your school system is a WRESA member, click WRESA MEMBER List.
REGISTER
Writers at Work: Roadblocks and Workarounds
Date: October 29, 2026 (Note - Date moved from Oct 22nd to Oct 29th)
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person
Location: WRESA
200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206
Asheville, NC 28806
Fee: $45 WRESA Members
$70 Non-members
**NOTE: We have a No Refund policy for our WRESA courses. However, you
are welcome to send a colleague in your place. Contact LaDonna Sluder
at lsluder@wresa.org or 828-774-5681 (ext 102) if you need to change
the name of the person attending.
CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 45 Participants
Audience: K-5 Classroom Teachers and Instructional Coaches
What to bring?: your own device
Description:
Many young people love to write. Give them supplies and time and they create
interesting and engaging texts. But there are many more who find writing a dreaded
chore that they can’t seem to finish. For some it has to do with ownership and choice
over topic, genre, and format. For others it may be a feeling that they have nothing of
interest or worth to write about. Many writers get bogged down with the process of
finding focus and narrowing a topic, creating a vision for the scope of their project,
staying on topic, sticking with the project across time, controlling details, working within
the confines of the conventions of language, or bringing the project to a satisfying
closure. Yet, resisting revision is arguably the most common concern I hear from
teachers regarding the roadblocks their students encounter. In my work with teachers, I
frequently hear concerns about student writers reaching a point where they just don’t
know what to do to keep moving forward. Across the day we will write a bit ourselves,
we will examine the work of student writers and explore the roadblocks they have
encountered, and we will work together to create workarounds for those roadblocks and try
a few ourselves.
Presenter:
Lester Laminack, Professor Emeritus, Western Carolina University is a full-time writer
and consultant working with schools, districts, and organizations throughout the country
and abroad. He is an award winning author or co-author of twenty professional books
and eight children’s books. Dr. Laminack has served on several regional and national
boards, has served as the co-editor of the NCTE journal Primary Voices, and as the
editor of the Children’s Book Review column of the NCTE journal Language Arts. He
served several years as the Basic Reading Consultant to Literacy Volunteers of America
and as secretary for the NC Association for the Education of Young Children. He is the
recipient of two teaching awards from Western Carolina University: The Botner Superior
Teaching Award from the College of Education and Allied Profession, and the
Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award from the university. He is an active member
of ILA and NCTE and is a sought after keynote and featured speaker at state and
national conferences.
If you have additional questions , contact Candie Sellers at csellers@wresa.org
If you are unsure whether your school system is a WRESA member, click WRESA MEMBER List.
REGISTER
Tier 1 Instruction is Risk Reduction
Date: April 28, 2026
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person
Location: Holiday Inn Asheville Biltmore West
435 Smokey Park Hwy
Asheville, NC 28806
Fee: $125 WRESA Members
$190 Non-members
**NOTE: We have a No Refund policy for our WRESA courses. However, you
are welcome to send a colleague in your place. Contact LaDonna Sluder
at lsluder@wresa.org or 828-774-5681 (ext 102) if you need to change
the name of the person attending.
CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 100 Participants
Audience: School Teams: Teacher Leaders, Instructional Coaches, District Leaders,
MTSS Coordinators and School Psychologists
Bring: Your Own Charged Device
Description:
One of the most important research findings is that most reading difficulties can be
prevented through effective instruction and intervention in kindergarten and first grade.
Early intervention in grades 2 and 3 ensures all students leave the primary grades
reading for meaning. In the MTSS model, the purpose of Tier 1, classroom reading
instruction is to reduce the number of students who need intervention. When more than
twenty percent score below expectation on universal screening, it may be necessary to
provide skill-based phonics and spelling instruction in Tier 1 and a second lesson each
day during Tier 2/3 intervention. This workshop will equip school and district teams to
use student data to plan the assessments, schedule changes, program selection,
flexible resource allocation, professional development and coaching necessary to
support all students to be skilled readers.
Presenter:
Stephanie Stollar is passionate about using MTSS as the framework for helping all
students become skilled readers. Her books include MTSS for Reading Improvement,
Promoting Effective MTSS Implementation, and Reading Assessment Done Right.
She’s the founder of the Reading Science Academy, an online community where over a
thousand educators support each other to improve results in their schools. She supports
effective educator preparation through her work with the National Council on
Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) network, STARS in Higher Education.
Dr. Stollar serves on the boards of the Evidence Advocacy Center and the Innovations
in Education Consortium. Her past roles include Assistant Professor, Vice President at
Acadience Learning, Inc., consultant to hundreds of schools, and School Psychologist.
Dr. Stollar believes that by supporting all educators, high achievement is possible for
every student.
If you have additional questions, contact Candie Sellers at csellers@wresa.org
If you are unsure whether your school system is a WRESA member, click WRESA MEMBER List.
REGISTER
Authentic Problem-Solving in Middle Grades (Badge 4)
Date: February 4, 2027
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person
Location: WRESA
200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206
Asheville, NC 28806
Fee: $45 WRESA Members
$70 Non-members
**NOTE: We have a No Refund policy for our WRESA courses. However, you
are welcome to send a colleague in your place. Contact LaDonna Sluder
at lsluder@wresa.org or 828-774-5681 (ext 102) if you need to change
the name of the person attending.
CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 25 Participants
Audience: Teachers and Math Coaches, Grades 6 - Math 1
Bring: Your Own Charged Device
Description: This session four will focus on problem-solving routines that embrace the eight mathematical practices. Join us as we explore instructional approaches that engage students in problem-solving while empowering students to persevere. This program is intended for math teachers in grades 6 – Math 1.
Presenter: Emily Myers – Senior Math Specialist, NCCAT
***IMPORTANT NOTE: Join us as we explore strategies that allow all students to thrive and grow into successful mathematicians who ask questions, engage in math discourse, and think critically. This program is intended for teachers in grades 6 through Math 1 and is part of a 4-day NCCAT badge series for secondary math. WRESA participants can take any number of the sessions; however, all four sessions must be completed to earn the NCCAT Math Badge. Below are the dates and the topics of the four sessions of the Secondary Math Badge series:
- Sept. 30, 2026 – Core Math Instruction Models and Practices
- Nov. 5, 2026 – Hands-On Math Learning for Middle Grades
- Feb. 4, 2027 – Facilitating Number Sense Routines
- Mar. 11, 2027 – The Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary
You must sign up and pay the fee for each session individually.
If you have additional questions, contact April Spencer aspencer@wresa.org