Teach Like a Champion! – Online Book Study

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

Teach Like a Champion User Registration

Register below. If you are a New User (which means that this is the first WRESA Online course you have taken),  enter an email and password in the form below and click “Submit”. Please record your email and password for future reference.

If you are a Returning User (which means you have already taken one of our online courses and thus, have a WRESA login with an email and password ),  scroll down to the Returning User registration for instructions.

If you have questions, please contact lsluder@wresa.org or 828-774-5681 ext. 102.

New User:

Teach Like a Champion New User

Creating a new user account for students signed up for the "Teach Like a Champion" online course.

Name
Password

Returning User:

If you have previously registered for a WRESA Online Learning Course and have a username and password, login with your username and password in the top left corner. After logging in, fill out the information under Returning User, and click “Submit”.

Oops! You need to be logged in to use this form.

Community Foundation Thank You!

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina for their generous support through the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund and the Education grant. Their commitment to helping our community during these difficult times is truly inspiring. With their assistance, we are empowered to provide essential resources to educators and students impacted by Helene. We are grateful for our partnership with the Community Foundation and thank them for their unwavering support.

Strengthening Your Students’ Social Muscle

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

The Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary Teachers

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

Vocabulary for Secondary Teachers

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

AI for Literacy (Secondary)

Date:     February 24, 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, 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

Franklin Covey 4 Disciplines of Execution for Educators

Date:     August 5, 2025 (Cancelled - To Be Rescheduled)
Time:     9:00am – 3:00pm 
Type:     In-Person

Location: WCU Biltmore Park
          28 Schenck Pkwy
          Asheville, NC 28803

Fee:      No Fee
Audience: K-12 Educators, School Administrators and District Superintendents
CEUS:     5 Contact Hours  

Description:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have additional questions, contact Jan Webster at   jwebster@wresa.org

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

REGISTRATION WILL REOPEN WHEN IT IS RESCHEDULED

Responsibility-Centered Discipline (RCD) Day #2: Advanced Skills

Date:     October 29, 2025
Time:     8:30am-3:00pm

Location: Goodwill Career Center 
          1616 Patton Ave
          Asheville, NC 28806

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:     5 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

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt – Online Book Study

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