Author: Richard

Powering Curiosity: Teaching Energy Efficiency Through Real-World STEM

Posted on by Richard 
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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

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)

Posted on by Richard 
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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

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:

  1. Sept 24, 2026 –  An Overview of the Science of Reading for Secondary Teachers
  2. Oct   28, 2026 –  Vocabulary for Secondary Teachers
  3. Feb   11, 2027  –  Comprehension for Secondary Teachers
  4. 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

Posted on by Richard 
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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

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

Authentic Problem-Solving in Middle Grades (Badge 4)

Posted on by Richard 
Date:     March 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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

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 – Authentic Problem-Solving in Middle Grades

You must sign up and pay the fee for each session individually.

If you have additional questions, contact April Spencer aspencer@wresa.org

If you are unsure whether your school system is a WRESA member, click  WRESA MEMBER List.

REGISTER

Facilitating Number Sense Routines (Badge 3)

Posted on by Richard 
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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

CEUs:     5 Contact Hours 
Limit:    25 Participants
Audience: Teachers and Math Coaches, Grades 6 - Math 1
Bring:    Your Own Charged Device

Description:  This session will focus on research-based number sense routines that support students’ reasoning skills.  Join us as we explore routines that build an understanding of number properties, contribute to fluency, and support math discussion.

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 –Authentic Problem-Solving in Middle Grades

You must sign up and pay the fee for each session individually.

If you have additional questions, contact April Spencer aspencer@wresa.org

If you are unsure whether your school system is a WRESA member, click  WRESA MEMBER List.

REGISTER

Hands-On Math Learning for Middle Grades (BADGE 2)

Posted on by Richard 
Date:     November 5, 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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

CEUs:     5 Contact Hours 
Limit:    25 Participants
Audience: Teachers and Math Coaches, Grades 6 - Math 1
Bring:    Your Own Charged Device

Description:

This session will focus on conceptual teaching and learning in the middle-grade mathematics classroom. Join us as we examine the concrete-representational-abstract (CRA) model and delve into work with manipulatives such as Hands-on Equations and Algebra Tiles. 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 I 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:

  1. Sept 30, 2026 – Core Math Instruction Models and Practices
  2. Nov   5,  2026 – Hands-On Math Learning for Middle Grades
  3. Feb  4,   2027  – Facilitating Number Sense Routines
  4. Mar 11,  2027 – Authentic Problem-Solving in Middle Grades

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

Core Math Instruction Models & Practices (BADGE 1)

Posted on by Richard 
Date:     September 30, 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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

CEUs:     5 Contact Hours 
Limit:    25 Participants
Audience: Teachers and Math Coaches, Grades 6 - Math 1
Bring:    Your Own Charged Device

Description:

This session will focus on core instructional models and practices that provide access and equity to all students while honoring their strengths and maximizing their potential. Join us as we examine the five practices of mathematical discourse as an instructional practice that allows students to author their knowledge. 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 I  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:

  1. Sept 30, 2026 –  Core Math Instruction Models and Practices
  2. Nov   5,  2026  –  Hands-On Math Learning for Middle Grades
  3. Feb    4, 2027  –   Facilitating Number Sense Routines
  4. Mar  11, 2027  – Authentic Problem-Solving in Middle Grades

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

 

Local School Systems Receive “Bridging the Gap with STEM-E” Funding

Posted on by Richard

Press Release  11/11/2025

Local School Systems Receive Funding to Bridging the Gap with STEM-E:

Cherokee, NC — Seven local school systems and four schools were awarded the “Bridging the
Grant with STEM-E” grant from Cherokee Preservation Foundation. This CPF funding will
increase accessibility to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) by providing
elementary through high school students with mobile science unit field trips, exploration in
entrepreneurship, STEAM study within their classrooms, and teacher STEAM professional
development. In all, this grant will provide the teachers and students in the far Western North
Carolina area tools for increasing STEAM literacy for a stronger future workforce. Students and
Teachers from Cherokee Central, Cherokee County, Clay County, Graham County, Haywood
County, Macon County, Swain County, New Kituwah Academy, Mountain Discovery Charter,
Shining Rock Classical Academy, and Catamount School will be included within the grant. This
grant partnership includes the schools, WRESA (Western Region Education Service Alliance) and
The Mountain Satellite Office of The Science House of NC State.

       

 

 

WRESA Summer Leadership Conference June 17-19, 2026

Posted on by Richard

🌟 Join Us for the 2026 WRESA Summer Conference! 🌟
June 17-19, 2026 | Embassy Suites, Downtown Asheville, NC

Leading with Purpose, Learning with Passion

Summer Leadership Conference for North Carolina Educators

Embassy Suites Downtown Asheville, NC | Summer 2026

Join education leaders from across North Carolina in the beautiful mountain city of Asheville for an inspiring summer conference designed to empower, connect, and transform.

Leading with Purpose, Learning with Passion brings together principals, district administrators, instructional coaches, and teacher-leaders to explore innovative strategies for shaping the future of education in our state.

 

What to Expect

  • Visionary Keynotes: Hear from nationally recognized thought leaders and local trailblazers who are redefining educational leadership.
  • Networking Opportunities: Build lasting connections with peers from across North Carolina who share your commitment to purposeful leadership.
  • Regional Spotlights: Celebrate success stories from districts across the state and learn how to adapt them to your own context.
  • Wellness & Renewal: Experience Asheville’s vibrant culture and natural beauty  while recharging for the year ahead.

Why Attend?

This conference is more than professional development—it’s a movement to inspire leaders who guide with clarity, compassion, and courage. Together, we’ll explore how passion for learning fuels purposeful leadership, ensuring that every student in North Carolina thrives.

 

2026 Summer Leadership Conference Participant Registration

 

Would you like to participate in Franklin Covey’s  4 Disciplines of Execution for Educators session on June 18? This session will be offered on June 18, 2026 which is the second day of the WRESA Summer Leadership Conference. If you register for the Conference, this session will be the second day for you from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm without any extra charge. You will need to register for both the Summer Leadership Conference and the 4 Disciplines of Execution.  There are limited seats for this session.

Description:

Released in the summer of 2021, The 4 Disciplines of Execution for Educators takes the goal achievement method laid out in the best-selling The 4 Disciplines of Execution and optimizes it for the educator and administrator. It’s a sure and simple formula for executing your most important goals – for making a real difference in the lives of your students. Tested, refined, and proven by literally thousands of schools and districts around the world, the 4 Disciplines enable classroom teachers, school principals, district superintendents, and even entire universities to achieve their highest priorities. If you have additional questions, contact Jan Webster at   jwebster@wresa.org

4 Disciplines of Execution REGISTRATION

 

2026 WRESA/NCSSA Superintendent Registration 

Sponsorships Full

Loading…

Powered By

Whova

 

Loading…

Participant Registration

Superintendent Registration 

Sponsorships Full

Teach Like a Champion! – Online Book Study

Posted on by Richard 
Type:  Online and Self-Paced

Cost:  $45 - WRESA Members
       $70 - Non-members 

Credits: 20 Contact Hours

Description:

Based on the book “Teach Like a Champion”, this course explores many of Doug Lemov’s widely respected strategies for building effective teaching practices. Our goal is to introduce these strategies so you can learn how they can be applied in different classroom settings to enhance instructional quality. Through each module, you’ll gain insights on key practices such as setting high expectations, promoting student engagement, and refining instructional rigor—all essential elements to fostering a productive learning environment.

Let’s get ready to champion the craft of teaching together!

Certificate of Completion:

Note that you must make 100% on each quiz, and click “Mark as Complete” after completing each section of the course. Once you complete all of these course requirements, it will indicate that you are “100% complete”.

When it shows that you are “100% complete, a new section will pop up that allows you to download and print your Certificate of Completion for the course.  

For more information, please contact Jill Chambers at jchambers@wresa.org

If you are unsure whether your school system is a WRESA member, click  WRESA MEMBER List.

***IMPORTANT NOTE:  Prior to registering, we encourage you to watch one of the registration help videos if you haven’t taken an Online Course with WRESA or if you need a refresher on the process.  Follow the directions below to view one of the videos:

1)  If you DO NOT have a WRESA account (which means you have not taken an online course with us), click on the following help video for how to register and enroll as a New User: Help Video for a New User.

2)  If you have taken an online course with us previously and already have a WRESA account, click on the following help video for how to add a course to your account as a Returning User: Help Video for a Returning User.

REGISTER