Category: Event Type

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. 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 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 –   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 at aspencer@wresa.org

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

REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

 

STEM Conference 2026 – Lighting the Runway for Future Innovators

Posted on by Richard 
Date:     March 6, 2026
Time:     9:00am-3:30pm   

Location: Cherokee School of Innovation
          4700 E US Highway 64 Alt.
          Murphy, NC 28906

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.

Audience: K-12 Educators passionate about enhancing STEM education!
CEUs: 5 Contact hours
What to Bring: Your own device

       

 

 

 

Lighting the Runway for Future Innovators

Keynote Speaker:   Britta Bynum

Britta Bynum is an aviation professional,leader, and
passionate advocate for women in aviation and STEM.
With a background in aviation operations and a heart
for service, she is committed to opening doors and
creating pathways for the next generation. Britta is
actively involved in mentoring, outreach, and nonprofit
initiatives that uplift and empower younger generations
to pursue bold goals in aviation. As a keynote speaker,
she shares an encouraging message rooted in resilience,
confidence, and the power of community, inspiring
students to believe in their potential and envision
themselves as future leaders. Britta is honored to
represent women in aviation and celebrate progress,
possibility, and purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

Presenter Bio:
Britta Bynum is the Chapter President for Wheels Down South of Women in
Aviation, where she is passionate about connecting, mentoring, and inspiring
individuals to explore and pursue careers in aviation. Through chapter outreach and
community engagement, she works to expand access to aviation opportunities and
strengthen local involvement in the industry.

Professionally, Britta is a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Operator for Delta Air
Lines, where she supports precision manufacturing and maintenance operations critical
to aviation safety and performance. Her combination of experience and technical
expertise reflects her commitment to advancing women in aviation and promoting
excellence across the field.

Exciting Breakout Sessions:

  • Cleared for Takeoff: Launching Your WAI (Women in Aviation International) Chapter
  • Runway to Discovery: STEM Takeoff
  • Elementary Science Advocacy
  • Space Camp for Educators – What I Learned and Why You Should Go!
  • Learning Takes Flight: Applying Games-Based Learning Strategies in Drone Technology
  • The Art of Astrophysics: Storytelling Across the Stars 
  • High School Hot Rodding STEAM Showcase (PBL)
  • The Continued Mysteries of Helene

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

National Boards: Taking a Closer look at Components 2, 3 and 4 for Initial Candidates – 2026

Posted on by Richard 
Date:     February 21, 2026 (Saturday)      
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: All teachers who have started their National Boards process
Bring:    Your Own Charged Device

Description:

This session will explore the standards for all Components – taking a deep dive at
how those standards apply to the requirements for the components as well as a
close reading of the directions and requirements for completion of each of the
Components. Please make sure you are in the process currently. In Component 2
we will examine how candidates individualize student work. For Component 3,
candidates will review what makes good discourse for both small and large group
discussion. Videoing tips and techniques will also be offered. A look at Component
4 entails how teachers utilize data for formative, self and summative
assessment, effectively impact student learning.

Attendees will review how to make use of the scoring rubric as they work on their
submissions.

Participants should bring their own devices or printed copies of the National
Board Standards and directions for all Components for their National Board
Certificate Area.

Presenter:  Lynn Carter will lead this workshop.

For more information, contact April 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

 

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.

Participant Registration

Superintendent Registration 

Sponsorships

A Paradigm Shift: Adapting Your Culture from Providing to Improving Through Collective Leadership *

Posted on by Richard 
Date:     March 26, 2026       
Time:     9:00am – 3:00pm 
Type:     In-Person

Location: WRESA   
          200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206
          Asheville, NC 28806

Fee:      $125  WRESA Members  
          $250  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:    50 Participants
Audience: K-12 Administrators, Curriculum Coaches and Central Office Administrators
What to Bring: Your own device

Description: 

Dawn Brookhart will provide professional development and learning focusing on the critical components of creating the conditions and modeling the expectations necessary to enhance student learning through Student-Focused Coaching.  The content will be grounded in the principles outlined in the book Instructional Leadership in Student-Focused Coaching:  Creating Effective Systems.  The training will provide practical insights and strategies for administrators, coaches, and educators. 

Administrators often struggle with balancing supervision and evaluation, which can create an imbalance in their role as instructional leaders.  This session highlights how coaching empowers administrators to model their expectations for teaching and learning, rather than directing them as traditional managers.  Through a collective leadership model, defined levels of autonomy help build trust and collaboration, not only between the coach and administrator, but also with the instructional staff.  Together, the coach and administrator move the model forward, with teachers leveraging the coach’s services and utilizing the administrator’s instructional support to improve student learning.  Participants will engage in collaborative conversations and immersive learning experiences to understand what it takes to lead complex change as instructional leaders in schools.  

Presenter: 

Dawn Brookhart, M.A.T., M.Ed., is an educational leader and consultant with nearly 30 years of experience in K-12 education. She has helped schools create evidence-based improvements that enhance student success, earning local and national recognition. Dawn founded a dyslexia and reading training academy in Pennsylvania and has held various leadership roles, including Principal and Director of Curriculum and Instruction. As a passionate advocate for the science of reading, she focuses on empowering educators through professional development and coaching. Dawn co-authored the book *Instructional Leadership with Student-Focused Coaching* and co-founded Ed Cap Consulting, LLC, along with The Reading League Pennsylvania. Her work emphasizes collaboration and high-quality education for all students.

Contact Candie Sellers at csellers@wresa.org with any questions.

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

REGISTER

Move, Think, Learn! The Hidden Power of PE

Posted on by Richard 
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

Using Project Zero’s Thinking Routines in Science

Posted on by Richard 
Date:     March 25, 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 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: 6 - 12 Educators
What to bring?: your own device

Description:

This session explores how Harvard Project Zero’s Thinking Routines can enrich science instruction by making student thinking visible and fostering inquiry-based learning. Participants will engage with routines such as See-Think-Wonder, Claim-Support-Question, and What Makes You Say That? to support scientific observation, reasoning, and communication. The session will highlight how these routines align with the Science and Engineering Practices and can be used to deepen understanding of scientific concepts and phenomena. This workshop is designed for grades 6 – 12 science teachers and applies to all of their science subject areas.

Presenter:
Jennifer Redfearn, Ed.D. joined the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of
Teaching in August of 2023 in the capacity of Senior STEM Specialist. In this role, she
supports teachers across the state of North Carolina with professional development and
curriculum development regarding the New North Carolina Science Standards. Before
joining NCCAT, Dr. Redfearn served with Guilford County Schools as a high school
science teacher and central office administrator. She was recently honored with the
Distinguished Service in Science Education in North Carolina Award from the North
Carolina Science Teachers Association, and the Education Award from the National
Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., Greater
Greensboro Chapter. Redfearn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a
Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Biology Education, both from North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University. She also holds a Doctorate in Curriculum
and Instruction, Secondary Education from Liberty University.

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

Which Social do YOU prefer?

Posted on by Chris Walke

We’re posting this poll to better understand the needs and interests of the WRESA community so we can shape future resources, trainings, and support around what matters most to educators. Your input also helps us keep you informed with updates and opportunities that are genuinely useful to you.

Which Social Platform do you use the most?

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Early Planning for a Successful Retirement – Feb 2026

Posted on by Richard 
Date:     February 11, 2026
Time:     9:00am - 3:00pm

LOCATION: WRESA   
          200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206
          Asheville, NC 28806

FEE:      $45 WRESA Members
          $70 Non-members 

LIMIT:    40 Participants

Description:

This one-day session focuses on teachers/administrators who have taught 0 – 30 years and want assistance with critical retirement information and decision making before they retire.  This session will review the implications and repercussions of early-mid career decisions, laws, policies and processes, benefit options and investment plans.  Whether you are just starting your career or close to the end- you will learn how to maximize your benefits and be ready to make better decisions for the future. The workshop will be conducted by Mr. Ayers, April Spencer and Deborah Rapetski.  You will leave the day tired, but much better informed.

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

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

REGISTER