Category: Event Type

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

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Superintendent Registration 

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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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North Carolina Achieving Educational Excellence

Posted on by Webster

Best in Nation: Our Plan for NC Public Schools

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the State Board of Education (SBE) developed a bold strategic plan: Achieving Educational Excellence. The five-year plan aims to position North Carolina’s public schools as the best in the United States by 2030, and it is the first joint plan between the SBE and the state superintendent. Here is a summary document with the plan highlights.

 

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

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt – Online Book Study

Posted on by Richard 
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

Posted on by Richard 
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

Posted on by Webster

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