Category: Main Middle

Unlocking Learning for K-5 Multilingual Learners

Posted on by Richard 
Date:  December 8, 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: K-5 Classroom Teachers and Instructional Coaches
What to bring?: Your own device and Standards or Curriculum Materials
for Planning

Description: 

Making Grade

Level Content Accessible, Memorable, and Meaningful for K-5

Multilingual Learners

This workshop will cover the fundamentals of second language acquisition and provide an overview of multilingual learners in Western North Carolina. It will include a review of best practices, along with an explanation of why these approaches are effective, supported by relevant brain research.

Participants will be introduced to specific instructional strategies and will have dedicated time and support to develop lessons and activities aligned to grade-level content.

Participants are asked to bring standards or curriculum materials for planning, a fully charged device, and a colleague. If possible, ACCESS scores for the multilingual learners they serve should also be brought. While all teachers are welcome, the session focuses on strategies general education teachers can use when delivering content.

Participants will leave with:

  • An understanding of multilingual learners
  • Knowledge of effective instructional practices and the rationale behind them
  • Awareness of how targeted strategies are developed and implemented
  • Classroom-ready plans and materials

Presenter:  

Simone Wertenberger serves as the Director of ESL, Migrant Education, and World/Dual Language for Henderson County Public Schools. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Psychology, and Education from Kalamazoo College in 2000, followed by a Master’s degree in Social and Cultural Foundations of Education and Human Development from DePaul University in 2004. Wertenberger has been a National Board Certified Teacher in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages since 2009 and is an OCDE Project GLAD® (Guided Language Acquisition Design) Certified Agency Trainer. Her professional background includes extensive K–12 classroom teaching experience, as well as both school-based and district-level administrative leadership.

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

Student Centered Coaching

Posted on by Richard 
Date:  September 29, 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: K-12 Instructional Coaches
What to bring?: your own device

Description: 

The work of instructional coaching is a dynamic part of school communities. Supporting coaching cultures where students are at the center is an essential part of this work. Join us at WRESA to embrace the components of student-centered coaching. We will learn coaching moves that create opportunities for professional growth, and suggestions for putting student learning at the forefront. The day will include models for co-teaching moves and providing strength-based feedback. This session is intended for K-12 instructional coaches. 

Presenter:  

Gin Hodge is the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Chief Academic Officer. With over 30 years of experience, she is instrumental in selecting and managing NCCAT programs and ensuring their alignment with NCCAT’s missions and goals. Gin Hodge is known for her collaborative leadership style and unwavering commitment to academic excellence. Since receiving her master’s degree from Western Carolina University, she has contributed to the field as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and NCCAT Senior Early Grades Literacy Specialist. 

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

Early Planning for a Successful Retirement – July 2026

Posted on by Richard 
Date:     July 22, 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 Sherry Dixon, 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

Unlocking Language Comprehension: Navigating the Upper Realms of The Reading Rope (Grades 2-5)

Posted on by Richard 
Date:  December 3, 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: 2-5 Teachers, Administrators, and Coaches
What to bring?: your own device

Description: 

Leap into the upper strands of the Reading Rope in this engaging session focused on language comprehension. Participants will explore the essential components of morphology, language comprehension, and fluency instruction. Gain practical insights through concrete classroom examples and evidence-aligned instructional routines designed to impact DIBELS outcomes while supporting the current ELA core curriculum. The session will also highlight data collected from a pilot study conducted in Buncombe County Schools during the previous school year.  

Presenters:  

Cynthia Hutchins is a District Title I Literacy Coach with over 15 years of experience in education, specializing in structured literacy and the science of reading. She has served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and reading specialist in Buncombe County Schools, where she now leads district wide literacy initiatives across 27 Title I schools. Cynthia is passionate about ensuring all students have access to effective, evidence-based reading instruction and works closely with educators to implement high-impact practices, analyze data, and improve student outcomes. She also designs and facilitates professional development, including Fundations and LETRS-aligned training, and has partnered with nationally recognized literacy experts to support teacher growth and student achievement.  

Lisa Lemus is a dedicated educator with over three decades of experience in education. After 32 years in the classroom and five years as an instructional coach, she now serves as a Title I literacy coach, where she is passionate about supporting both students and teachers in developing strong literacy skills. When she’s not working, Lisa enjoys being outdoors and making memories with her family.

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

Unlocking Word Power: Proven Strategies for DIBELS Success (K-3)

Posted on by Richard 
Date:  October 8, 2026
Time:  9:00am – 12:00pm

Type: In-Person

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

 Fee:     $25 WRESA Members
          $40 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: 3 Contact Hours
Limit: 45 Participants
Audience: K-3 Teachers, Administrators and Coaches
What to bring?: your own device

Description: 

Join us for a transformative session focused on the lower strands of the Reading Rope: word recognition. Participants will unpack the essential components of phonological awareness, decoding, and sight recognition of familiar words—key building blocks for developing proficient readers. Explore how the science of reading informs effective, evidence-based instruction in word recognition.

Gain practical insights into refining instructional approaches to strengthen student performance in nonsense word fluency, phoneme segmentation fluency, and oral reading fluency for our youngest learners. Participants will also take a deep dive into each DIBELS subtest by grade level and leave with a clear, actionable plan to move the needle on student outcomes.

Presenter:  

Cynthia Hutchins is a District Title I Literacy Coach with over 15 years of experience in education, specializing in structured literacy and the science of reading. She has served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and reading specialist in Buncombe County Schools, where she now leads district wide literacy initiatives across 27 Title I schools. Cynthia is passionate about ensuring all students have access to effective, evidence-based reading instruction and works closely with educators to implement high-impact practices, analyze data, and improve student outcomes. She also designs and facilitates professional development, including Fundations and LETRS-aligned training, and has partnered with nationally recognized literacy experts to support teacher growth and student achievement.  

If you have additional questions, contact Candie Sellers at csellers@wresa.org3

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

REGISTER

Exploring Plant Genetics at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Ext. Center – 2026

Posted on by Richard 
Date:     June 16, 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, and receive lunch and classroom materials/supplies to use
          in the future  

**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:    24 Participants
Audience: K-12 Teachers

Description: 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 to and interactions in the Research Station fields with faculty and graduate students involved in research on different plant varieties. The morning will be filled with discussions, site visits, and activities exploring the research happening at the 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 them in your classroom.  Following the workshop will be a tour of Sierra Nevada and a discussion of the research’s impact on the local economy.

If you have additional questions, contact Michelle Taylor at mtbenign@ncsu.edu 

REGISTER

Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary Teachers (Part 4)

Posted on by Richard 
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. 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:

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 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

Comprehension for Secondary Teachers (Part 3)

Posted on by Richard 
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. 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:

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 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

Vocabulary for Secondary Teachers (Part 2)

Posted on by Richard 
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. 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:

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 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

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