Category: Uncategorized

Date:     October 1, 2025
Time:     9:00am – 3:00pm 
Type:     In-Person

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

Fee:      Free

**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: Principals, Assistant Principals, and NCEES Site
Administrators new to NCEES or those who need or want a refresh

What to Bring: Your own device

Description: 

WRESA Top 10 NCEES Administrator Refresher: Navigating the NCEES System and Understanding the NC Teacher Evaluation Rubric.

Navigating the NCEES System: The first half of this session will provide essential guidance on utilizing the NCEES system effectively. We will cover key topics, including Professional Development tracking, assigning plans, managing access rights, understanding the Staff Evaluation Dashboard, accessing reporting guidance, troubleshooting common issues, and exploring available resources.

Understanding the NC Teacher Evaluation Rubric: The second half of this session will provide a comprehensive overview of the NC Teacher Evaluation Process. Participants will learn best practices for conducting observations and delivering targeted feedback using the specific language of the rubric and gain a deeper understanding of its standards, elements, and descriptors.

Presenters: 

Donna Currie is the NCEES and OER Product Manager at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). With more than 28 years of experience in education, she has held various roles, including Digital Subscription and Technology Analyst, Teacher, Instructional Technology Facilitator, Digital Teaching and Learning Specialist, Virtual Academy Coordinator, and Professional Development Coordinator. Donna is passionate about supporting educators by providing training, resources, and innovative solutions to enhance teaching and learning.

Brandon Sutton is the Western Regional Director for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.  With more than 20 years of experience in education, he has held various roles, including Regional Director, Chief Academic Officer for Swain County Schools, middle school principal, high school assistant principal, and EC Teacher.  Brandon was the 2019 Wells Fargo Western Region Principal of the Year.  

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

Date:     October 22, 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: Secondary Educators - Teachers, Coaches 
What to Bring: Your own device

Description: 

This full-day interactive workshop is designed to deepen secondary educators’ understanding of multilingual learners (MLs) and equip them with effective strategies to support English language development and academic success across content areas. Through a combination of research-based theory, hands-on activities, collaboration, and reflection, participants will explore the stages of language acquisition, discover practical approaches to differentiation, and learn quick, high-impact ways to modify instruction for MLs without compromising rigor.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the stages of second language acquisition and how they impact learning.
• Identify common challenges faced by multilingual learners in secondary classrooms.
• Apply instructional strategies that support both content mastery and language development.
• Differentiate instruction using accessible tools and scaffolds.
• Make quick, purposeful modifications to classroom materials and activities.
• Build a more inclusive and responsive classroom environment for MLs.

Presenter:  

Angie Eudy Ledford is an experienced educator with a deep commitment to supporting teachers and students across North Carolina. She currently serves as the NCDPI Regional Education Facilitator for the Western Region where she provides training and support for Beginning Teacher Programs. She has a background in instructional coaching, having served as an ESL and High School Instructional Coach for Henderson County Public Schools. As a School Improvement Specialist, she led collaborative planning sessions and data-driven strategies to enhance instructional outcomes. Her teaching career spans multiple subjects, including French, ESL, Language Arts, and Social Studies. 

Angie’s expertise extends to professional development, having worked with districts across the Western Region to deliver culturally sensitive and effective instructional training for Multilingual Learners. She holds National Board Certification in English as a New Language and has served as a scorer and trainer for Pearson’s National Board Certification program.

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

Date:     October  9, 2025    Day #1  (MUST ATTEND BOTH SESSIONS)
          January 14, 2026    Day #2  (MUST ATTEND BOTH SESSIONS)
 
Time:     9:00am – 3:00pm 
Type:     In-Person

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

Fee:      $100 for both sessions -  WRESA Members  
          $150 for both sessions -  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:     10 Contact Hours 
Limit:    45 Participants
Audience: 5th Grade Teachers and Coaches
What to Bring: Your own device

Description:

Digging into the New 5th Grade Science Standards is a dynamic two-day experience designed to move beyond surface-level understanding and immerse teachers in the core ideas and practices of the new science standards. Participants will learn how Science and Engineering Practices can be lifted in their classrooms using phenomenon-based learning, student discourse, and the Ambitious Science Teaching Framework. This will be a two-day workshop with time between sessions.

Presenter:

Carla Billups has worked for over 34 years in elementary science education as a
teacher in Haywood County Schools and the Elementary STEM Coach for Buncombe
County Schools where she worked to implement and design curriculum for 24
elementary STEM labs. Prior to this work, she was an elementary Math and Science
teacher for 6 years of her 26 years as an elementary school teacher. Carla has also
been an adjunct instructor for Western Carolina University where she taught Elementary
Science Methods. She was an instructor for the ExxonMobil Teachers Academy for 14
years and for AIMS Education Foundation for 23 years. She served as the president of
the North Carolina Science Leadership Association and co-authored, the Fungus
Among Us, the Good, the Bad, and the Downright Scary made NSTA’s Outstanding
Science Trade book list in 2017. She has received the North Carolina SMT’s
Outstanding Instructional Leader Award, NCSLA’s Michael C. Jackson Distinguished
Service Award, and NCSTA’s Jo Duckett Wallace Elementary Distinguished Service
Award.

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 Candie Sellers at csellers@wresa.org

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

REGISTER

Date:     October 7, 2025
Time:     8:30am – 3:30pm 
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:     6 Contact Hours 
Limit:    45 Participants
Audience: K-12 Educators, MTSS Coordinators, District Leaders, Administrators
What to Bring: Your own device

Description: 

Are you wondering exactly “What IS dyslexia?” Do students reverse letters? Is it really a learning disability? How do I teach students who have dyslexia? This research-based course will answer these questions and more! In this one-day class, participants will unpack the definition of dyslexia and uncover some long-standing myths. We will make connections between dyslexia and the science of reading and discuss implications for classroom instruction.

Presenter:  

Liz Massey from Buncombe County Schools will be your presenter. Liz Massey is the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Coordinator of Buncombe County Schools and a Literacy Specialist trained in the Science of Reading.

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

Date:     Sept 18, 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: K-12 Educators, MTSS Coordinators, District Leaders, Administrators
What to Bring: Your own device

Description:

Is your school confused and frustrated about how MTSS and Special Education work (or don’t) work together? In this one day session, participants will increase their knowledge and understanding of how the MTSS framework informs the determination of special education eligibility. Participants will unpack the framework for determining a specific learning disability while making connections to their own MTSS systems. Through the use of a self evaluation tool, schools will determine what action steps need to be taken in order to strengthen outcomes for all students.

Presenter:  

Liz Massey from Buncombe County Schools will be your presenter. Liz Massey is the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Coordinator of Buncombe County Schools and a Literacy Specialist trained in the Science of Reading.

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

Date:     November 8, 2025  (Saturday)
    
Time:     Morning Session:    9:00am – 12:00pm
          Afternoon Session:  1:00pm -  3:00pm 

Type:     In-Person

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

Fee:      $25 WRESA Members (per session)
          $50 Non-members   (per session)

**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:     2.5 Contact Hours (each session) - if district accepts them
Limit:    50 Participants
Audience: National Board New and Renewal Candidates 

Description:

Morning Session:  Come spend the morning learning about the National Board process for new candidates. Lynn Carter, our own NBCT expert will go over all the details and provide you with a timeline and resources to be successful. This workshop will be 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Afternoon Session: The afternoon session will be from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm and will be for those NBCTs who are getting ready to renew. They will have an opportunity to discuss this process and begin thinking about the entries and accomplishments that would work best.

Presenter:  Lynn Carter will facilitate both sessions with her wealth of knowledge about the process.

For more information, contact April at aspencer@wresa.org, 828.774. 5681 ext 103

REGISTER

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

Date:     September 16, 2025
Time:     9:00am-3:00pm
 
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.

Audience: Future mentor teachers and current mentor teachers needing to brush up
 
CEUs:     5 Contact Hours
What to Bring: A Charged device

Description:

The North Carolina 21st Century Mentoring course provides mentors with the skills and knowledge needed to support beginning teachers. This course is built around the North Carolina Mentor Standards which are aligned with the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards and provides direction in how mentors can support beginning teachers in each of the teacher standards. All North Carolina students deserve effective teachers. This course helps mentors in implementing best practices for guiding beginning teachers to reach their fullest potential and is an opportunity for mentors to collaborate with others in the region in face-to-face training.  Angie Eudy, the Regional Education Facilitator from NCDPI, will be leading this workshop.

Presenter:

Angie Eudy, the Regional Education Facilitator will be leading the workshop.

If you have 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