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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

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