Category: Uncategorized

Date:     October 14, 2025       
Time:     9:00am – 3:00pm 
Type:     In-Person

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

Fee:      $110  WRESA Members  
          $220  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 Directors, Administrators, and Curriculum Coaches
What to Bring: Your own device

Description:

Join us for an engaging and transformative professional development session that redefines leadership in the realm of literacy. In this dynamic and interactive experience, we’ll explore the essence of leadership—not defined by titles or years of experience, but by the courage to show up, step up, and elevate others. Expect to dive deep into high-impact leadership with a focus on awakening the leader within you. This session will ignite your passion by highlighting how improved leadership directly correlates to enhanced student learning.

Presenter:

Terrie Noland is an education leader who has devoted her career to unlocking the potential of learners of all ages. She is a former educator, school leader, and national non-profit leader. Dr. Noland is a respected keynote speaker and mentor who strives to be the spark that ignites the flames of motivation and enthusiasm in others. She holds a doctorate in Literacy and Educational Leadership and is certified by Maxwell Leadership. Dr. Noland’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that great leaders don’t just achieve success; they cultivate it in others. Known for her contagious energy and heartfelt storytelling, Dr. Noland is a force multiplier that helps others discover the joy and strength that literacy and leadership can bring. When she’s not transforming lives through her work, she can be found mentoring emerging leaders, expanding her knowledge, and sharing her vision of a world where the power of leadership unlocks limitless possibilities.  Some of her favorite words are: yet, abundance, rejoice, monumental, boomerang, giggle, and cacophony.

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:     November 5, 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:    50 Participants
Audience: EC Teachers, K-5 General Ed teachers and counselors
What to Bring: Your own device

Description:

This full day training/workshop will focus on providing strategies for teachers and counselors to use with their Elementary students (K-5) in the general education and special education setting.  When our young learners struggle with big emotions, it can be confusing and overwhelming for them to focus on academic tasks. This training will discuss proactive strategies utilizing visual sports, step by step problem solving techniques and address executive functioning skills to successfully navigate both the school and home environment.

Presenter: Marlou de Vera, M.Ed. – Autism Specialist

Marlou is an autism specialist with 29 years experience working in the educational setting. She is currently serving grades K-12 for Buncombe County schools in Asheville, North Carolina. As an autism/behavior specialist, Marlou coaches and trains instructional staff regarding pro-active programming and emotional/behavioral support in the classroom. In addition, she conducts and facilitates social groups for K-12 students with special needs, in collaboration with speech and occupational therapists as well as special education teachers. Prior to being an autism/behavior specialist, Marlou was an exceptional children’s curriculum specialist. She also worked as a middle school intensive intervention teacher for students with autism and was program director for a mainstreaming program for K-12 students with high functioning autism. Marlou is a certified TEACCH professional practitioner with University of North Carolina,Chapel Hill. She also received clinical training from Social Thinking (Michelle Garcia Winner– San Jose, California). Marlou holds a master’s degree in education (Curriculum and Instruction) from the University of the Philippines. Marlou has a passion for constantly improving the educational experience of her students as they reach their potential in school and be the best they can become. Most important of all, she is a mom of a consistently happy adult son (Vidal) with autism who currently works at a restaurant as a busboy and at an ice-cream shop. His positive cheerful attitude is what drives Marlou to advocate for all individuals with special needs.

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:     October 21, 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:    50 Participants
Audience: K-5 Elementary Teachers, Media Center Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
What to Bring: Your own device

Description:

This workshop explores the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool for elementary teachers to personalize literacy instruction and provide targeted coaching for their students. We’ll focus on practical applications of AI that empower teachers to better understand student needs in foundational literacy skills (phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension), differentiate instruction, and provide more effective feedback. This is about teachers using AI to enhance their practice, not about students using AI for assignments.

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 Candie Sellers at  csellers@wresa.org

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

REGISTER

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

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

Date:     Sept 25, 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:

An overview of The Science of Reading and its relevancy and application in the secondary classroom.  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 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

Date:     Sept 17, 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 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

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

Location: Location (To Be Determined)

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:     6 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