Canva for Literacy Projects (Secondary)

Date:     October 23, 2025       
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 ELA and Content Teachers, Media Coordinators, and Instructional Coaches
What to Bring: Your own device

Description:

This hands-on workshop explores how Canva can transform classrooms into creative hubs for literacy-rich projects.  Participants will learn how to guide students in designing infographics, multimedia presentations, podcasts, and more, all while reinforcing core literacy skills and deepening subject matter understanding.  

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.

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

 

The Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary Teachers

Date:     March 12, 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 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:

  1. Sept 25, 2025 –  An Overview of the Science of Reading for Secondary Teachers
  2. Nov   6, 2025 –   Vocabulary for Secondary Teachers
  3. Feb    5, 2026 –   Comprehension for Secondary Teachers
  4. Mar  12, 2026 –   The Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary Teachers 

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

Comprehension for Secondary Teachers

Date:     February 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. 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 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:

  1. Sept 25, 2025 –  An Overview of the Science of Reading for Secondary Teachers
  2. Nov   6, 2025 –   Vocabulary for Secondary Teachers
  3. Feb    5, 2026 –   Comprehension for Secondary Teachers
  4. Mar  12, 2026 –   The Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary Teachers 

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

Vocabulary for Secondary Teachers

Date:     November 6, 2025    
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 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:

  1. Sept 25, 2025 –  An Overview of the Science of Reading for Secondary Teachers
  2. Nov   6, 2025 –   Vocabulary for Secondary Teachers
  3. Feb    5, 2026 –   Comprehension for Secondary Teachers
  4. Mar  12, 2026 –   The Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary Teachers 

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

AI for Literacy (Secondary)

Date:     February 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 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 ELA and Content Teachers, Media Coordinators, and Instructional Coaches
What to Bring: Your own device

Description:

This workshop explores the exciting potential of artificial intelligence with practical skills and creative strategies for integrating AI into their literacy instruction.  Participants will discover how AI can transform reading, writing, and critical thinking.  

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.

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

Franklin Covey 4 Disciplines of Execution for Educators

Date:     August 5, 2025 (Cancelled - To Be Rescheduled)
Time:     9:00am – 3:00pm 
Type:     In-Person

Location: WCU Biltmore Park
          28 Schenck Pkwy
          Asheville, NC 28803

Fee:      No Fee
Audience: K-12 Educators, School Administrators and District Superintendents
CEUS:     5 Contact Hours  

Description:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have additional questions, contact Jan Webster at   jwebster@wresa.org

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

REGISTRATION WILL REOPEN WHEN IT IS RESCHEDULED

Responsibility-Centered Discipline (RCD) Day #2: Advanced Skills

Date:     October 29, 2025
Time:     8:30am-3:00pm

Location: Goodwill Career Center 
          1616 Patton Ave
          Asheville, NC 28806

Fee:      $ 50 WRESA Members
          $100 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:    65 Participants
Audience: Teachers, Principals, Assistant Principals, and other Educational Leaders
What to Bring? Your own device 

Description: 

Building upon the foundational concepts introduced in RCD Day #1, RCD Day #2 dives deeper into the practical application of Responsibility-Centered Discipline (RCD) through scenario-based training and systemic solutions that support teachers, students, and administrators.

Key components of Day #2 include:

  • Scenario Training
  • Level Three: The Correction Process (Office Referrals)
  • Addressing Level 2 & 3 Students
  • RCD Implementation 

By the end of Day #2, participants will be equipped with actionable tools to reinforce responsibility-centered discipline, strengthen school-wide consistency, and improve student outcomes through proactive, solution-focused strategies.

Presenter: Larry Thompson, M.ED

Our presenter for the day is Larry Thompson. He is often called upon to deliver keynote presentations for state and national education conferences because of his knowledge, humor and passion for assisting today’s students. He has helped thousands of educators and schools break away from their traditional discipline models to a model that creates a responsible climate and responsible students. Larry has served in a wide variety of roles in education – from special education teacher to alternative and traditional high school principal. Larry understands that systems must be created that can be realistically implemented and sustained. 

For additional information/ questions contact Jill Chambers jchambers@wresa.org

REGISTER

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt – Online Book Study

Type:  Online and Self-Paced

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

CEUs:  20 Contact Hours

This course examines the influence of  smartphone usage on young people growing up in a society that is dependent on digital devices. After each section, which will consist of reading 1-2 chapters in the book, you will write a summary about specific topics in that section. This is a self-paced course. You will be responsible for purchasing the book.

For more information, please contact Jan Webster at jwebster@wresa.org

***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.

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

 

REGISTER

Exploring Plant Genetics – Aug 2024

Date:     August 28, 2024   
Time:     9:00am – 3:00pm

Location: Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Ext. Center
          455 Research Drive
          Mills River, NC 28759
           
Cost:    Free and receive classroom materials/supplies to use in the future
Audience: K-12 teachers
Credit:   5 Contact Hours

The Mountain Horticultural Crops  Research and Extension Center is a 397-acre campus located just outside of Asheville and hosts a wide range of plant breeding programs. The Center has played a significant part in field research and numerous scientific achievements including the release of new varieties. Research is conducted on tomatoes, apples, ornamental landscaping crops, vegetables, peaches, biofuel crops, corn, soybeans, and even hops. The agricultural research projects continue to change to reflect the needs of our society and to address new challenges within the agricultural community of Western North Carolina. 

This one-day workshop will provide teachers with visits and interactions in the Research Station fields with faculty and graduate students involved with research on different varieties of plants. The morning will be filled with discussions, site visits, and activities exploring the research happening at Center. The afternoon will be spent in the classroom doing investigations related to the research and includes resources to take with you so you can implement in your classroom.

If you have questions about the workshop, contact Michelle Taylor at mtbenign@ncsu.edu. If you have questions about registration, contact LaDonna Sluder at lsluder@wresa.org 

REGISTRATION CLOSED

 

Business Externships

Experience our Businesses Virtually:

Virtual Career Exploration

Name Type
Andy Taylor FordAutomotive
Army National GuardMilitary Services
Bascom GalleryNonprofit-Arts
Blue Ridge Mountain ElectricElectric/Broadband
Deal FarmsAgriculture
Doug Taylor Electrical ContractingContracting
Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians Office of Natural ResourcesGovernment
Harris Regional HospitalHealthcare
Highlands Aerial ParkOutdoor Recreation
John C. Campbell Folk SchoolNonprofit-Arts
Kanini's Restaurant and CateringHospitality, Restaurant
Laurel Ridge Country ClubHospitality
Mainspring Conservation TrustNonprofit-environmental
Nantahala Outdoor CenterRecreation
Rikki Tikki TeesRetail, manufacturing
Sunburst TroutRetail, Agriculture
TekToneManufacturing
Wehrloom Honey and MeaderyRetail, Manufacturing, Agriculture
Ward's Plumbing and HeatingHome Services

Andy Shaw Ford Career Spotlight

 

Andy Shaw Ford Virtual Tour 

PowerPoint Andy Shaw Ford

 

Army National Guard Career Spotlight

 

PowerPoint Army National Guard

 

The Bascom

PowerPoint The Bascom Gallery

 

BRMEMC Career Spotlight

 

PowerPoint BRMEMC

 

Deal Family Farms

PowerPoint   Deal Farms

Doug Taylor Electric, LLC

PowerPoint Doug Taylor Electric

 

EBCI Natural Resources Career Spotlight

 

PowerPoint    Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians Office of Natural Resources

Harris Hospital Career Spotlight

PowerPoint Harris Regional Hospital

Highlands Aerial Career Spotlight

PowerPoint   Highlands Ariel Park

John C Campbell Folk School Career Spotlight

 

PowerPoint John C. Campbell Folk School

 

Kanini’s Restaurant and Catering Spotlight Tour

 

Kanini’s Restaurant Virtual Tour

PowerPoint Kanini’s Restaurant

 

Laurel Ridge Country Club and Event Center Career Spotlight

 

PowerPoint Laurel Ridge Country Club

 

Mainspring Career Spotlight

 

PowerPoint  Mainspring Conservation Trust

 

Murphy Rehabilitation & Nursing Career Spotlight

 

Murphy Rehabilitation and Nursing Virtual Tour

NOC Career Spotlight

 

NOC Virtual Tour

 

PowerPoint Nantahala Outdoor Center

Rikki Tikki Tees

PowerPoint Rikki Tikki Tees

 

Sunburst Trout Farms Career Spotlight

PowerPoint   Sunburst Trout

Tektone Career Spotlight

Tektone Virtual Tour

PowerPoint TekTone Sound

Ward Plumbing, Heating & Air Career Spotlight

Ward Plumbing, Heating & Air Virtual Tour

 

PowerPoint Ward Plumbing, Heating, & Air

 

Wehrloom Honey and Meadery

Video Coming Soon

PowerPoint The Original Wehrloom Honey and Meadery