WRESA

Portrait of an Administrator
2024-04-23 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
DATE: Day #1 Sept 19, 2023
Day #2 Nov 14, 2023
Day #3 Jan 23, 2024 Jan 23rd cancelled. New Date TBD!
Day #4 Feb 20, 2024
Day #5 Apr 23, 2024
TIME: 9:00am – 3:00pm (for all days)

Type: In-Person

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

Fee: $325 WRESA Members (for all 5 sessions)
$490 Non-members (for all 5 sessions)

CEUs: 30 Contact Hours
Limit: 50 Participants

Audience: K-12 Administrators with 5 or few years of experience, assistant principals, and
Aspiring Administrators

The Portrait of a school administrator is a multifaceted and dynamic role that encompasses
various dimensions of leadership. To gain a comprehensive understanding of this role, we invite
you to join us for a series of five informative and interactive professional growth opportunities.
Throughout this series, we will explore and delve into the different key roles of strategic
leadership, instructional leadership, cultural leadership, human resource, and managerial
leadership, as well as ethical and micro-political leadership. Throughout this series, participants
will engage in interactive discussions, case studies, and practical activities that promote
reflection and application of knowledge. Join us on this professional growth journey to develop
and enhance your leadership skills as a school administrator.
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.
REGISTRATION CLOSED

WRESA Regional AIG Credentials Course
2024-07-23 09:00 - 15:00, 2024-07-24 09:00 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: July 23 & 24, 2024
Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Type: In-person

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

Fee: $85 WRESA Members Only

**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 Classroom Teachers, (Licensed AIG Specialists are welcome)
CEUs: 10 Contact hours
What to Bring: Your own charged device
AIG Coordinators across the NC Western Region have recognized the need for classroom teachers to understand the unique characteristics and needs of gifted learners.
In this 2-day course, teachers will review and understand their own district-specific Academically/Intellectually Gifted Services Plans. They will learn how to recognize the characteristics of gifted learners and understand their unique learning needs. Differentiation strategies for the regular classroom will be a focus and teachers will leave with tools for planning, working in PLCs, and using differentiation strategies in their classrooms.
Participants will receive a WRESA Regional AIG Credentials certificate. While it is important to note that this is not NC AIG Licensure, it will provide a practical level of knowledge and skill that will benefit gifted and advanced learners in classrooms across the region. These credentials will be recognized and accepted by the WRESA member school systems. Stephanie Knox, the AIG/Advanced Learning Lead Specialist for Buncombe County schools will be leading this workshop.
If you have additional questions, contact April Spencer aspencer@wresa.org
If you are unsure whether your school system is a WRESA member, click WRESA MEMBER List.
REGISTER

A School Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose
2024-11-20 09:00 - 15:00, 2025-01-14 09:00 - 10:30, 2025-01-20 09:00 - 10:30, 2025-02-12 09:00 - 10:30, 2025-03-04 09:00 - 10:30 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date/Time:Day #1 Nov 20, 2024 9:00am-3:00pm (In-person at WRESA)

Day #2 Jan 14, 2025 9:00-10:30am (Virtual)
Day #3 Jan 20, 2025 9:00-10:30am (Virtual)
Day #4 Feb 12, 2025 9:00-10:30am (Virtual)
Day #5 Mar 4, 2025 9:00-10:30am (Virtual)

Type: Hybrid (Day #1 In-Person, Days #2-5 Virtual)

Location: WRESA (for Day #1)
200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206
Asheville, NC 28806

Fee: $110 WRESA Members (includes book)
$135 Non-members (includes book)

**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: 20 Contact Hours (includes Reading Time)
Limit: 50 Participants
Audience: School leaders (principals, assistant principals, and instructional
coaches) who want to invest more of their time supporting and
growing teachers but feel trapped in a cycle of responding to
urgent tasks.
What to Bring: A charged device
Description:
Frederick Buskey, author of the book: A School Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose will take the school leader on a journey through the book and will facilitate discussions on the following:

Learn to structure their days around their priorities
Discern between essential and non-essential tasks
Build systems and habits that free up minutes each day to invest in people
Use high-leverage practices to grow teachers in minutes
Move from symptoms-based to problem-focused action

Even when you do slow down long enough to remember your purpose, it can be difficult to act on it. The book: A School Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose was written to help busy leaders reconnect with their passion and values. The guide is a roadmap through the six stages of escaping the gravitational pull of urgency. In each stage you will find a unique combination of common sense and wisdom, combined with concrete tools and strategies.
About the Author/Leader:
Frederick Buskey was a K-12 teacher and administrator for 17 years. He is a National Board-Certified Teacher, former middle school and high school teacher and coach, and county office Special Education Coordinator. He has experience working in international schools and rural schools in Ohio, North Carolina, and South Carolina. At Western Carolina University and Clemson University, Frederick led redesigns of principal licensure programs, which he also coordinated and taught in. Frederick has worked with over 100 principal-interns, affording him the opportunity to observe and learn from hundreds of school leaders. He has used his unique combination of personal experiences, the experiences of others, and understanding of the research to create simple and practical frameworks to turn complex challenges, like change and teacher support, into simple, actionable practices. In 2018 Frederick founded Strategic Leadership Consulting to focus full-time on serving school leaders.
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

Co-Teaching for Educators
2025-02-04 08:30 - 15:30, 2025-02-05 08:30 - 15:30 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Administrators Session: Co-Teaching – Calling All Administrators
Dates/Times: Tues, Feb 4th, 2025 8:30am - 3:30pm (In-Person)
Wed, Feb 5th, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm (meet with teacher teams - might be virtual)

Location: WRESA
200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206
Asheville, NC 28806
Cost: Free
Audience: Designed for school-based administrators and coordinators who support co-teaching teams
currently or will support teams in the future.

CEUs: 6 Contact Hours

Course Description: School administrators are provided an overview of the service delivery model of co-teaching, practical tools used to give substantial support to both the general and special educators implementing co-teaching in their schools. Administrators will discuss considerations for the selection of staff and students for co-teaching, planning for implementation, scheduling, the importance of collaborative planning, the six approaches utilized in the classroom that enhance universal design for learning, and evaluation of effective co-teaching implementation.

Teachers Session: Co-Teaching for Teachers: Going Beyond the Basics

Date/Time Wed, Feb 5th, 2025 8:30am - 3:30pm (In-Person)

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

Cost: Free

Audience: Designed for Co-Teacher Teams of Teachers
(General Education Teacher + Exceptional Children Teacher Teams or potential teams)

CEUs: 6 Contact Hours
Course Description: This professional learning supports best practice by providing teams of teachers (general and
special educators) with the six approaches of co-teaching, their implementation and practical tools, can be utilized
by teams implementing co-teaching as a service delivery model in their schools. The teams will gain knowledge of the
essential elements of co-teaching: co-planning, co-instructing and co-assessing.
Co-Teaching Instructor Process:

Instructor candidates will need to attend both the Co-Teaching
Calling All Administrators and the Co-Teaching for Teachers: Going
Beyond the Basics course.
Once both days are completed, the instructor candidate will be provided
access to the PowerPoint presentations, handout materials, communication
examples, as well as access to the Co-Teaching Instructor Notebook.
Instructor candidates will then be able to redeliver the course in their PSU
only.
You will be prompted in the registration link whether or not you are taking
the course in order to be an instructor.

Presenters:
Teri Queen currently serves as the Northwest and Western Region Literacy Consultant for the
North Carolina Public Schools Office of Exceptional Children for the Program Improvement and
Professional Development section. In this role, she facilitates building capacity and
sustainability of the NC State Improvement Project grant through systems level coaching. In
addition to providing guidance in the data driven continuous improvement needs, she works
with professional, parent, and service organizations and Institutions of Higher Education to
promote appropriate public education and improved services for students with disabilities for
North Carolina Public Schools and private Universities. Teri has previously served as an
Exceptional Children Director, EC Program Specialist, EC Instructional Facilitator, Federal
Programs Coordinator, Exceptional Children Transition Specialist, Accountability Coordinator
and an Exceptional Children Teacher in North Carolina and Virginia over the course of 26 years.
Kelly Doppke is an IDEA Consultant for the Western Region with the Office of Exceptional
Children, where she provides regional support to EC leadership and school teams in LEAs and
Charters across the area. Originally from South Carolina, Kelly moved to Western North Carolina
with her family in 2007. She holds an undergraduate degree in Elementary, Early Childhood,
and Special Education from Lander University, a Master of Education from Southern Wesleyan
University, and a Post-Master’s Certificate in School Administration from Western Carolina
University.
Kelly’s favorite job, aside from her current role, was serving as a camp counselor at Camp
Spearhead, a camp for children and adults with special needs in upstate South Carolina.
Throughout her career as a teacher, program specialist, and EC director, Kelly developed a deep
passion for creating inclusive systems for students with disabilities. Her leadership focus is on
reducing exclusionary practices for students with challenging behaviors and finding ways to
ensure equitable opportunities for all students.
If you have additional questions, contact Candie Sellers csellers@wresa.org

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

WRESA Science Collaborative: New Support Document Sharing for Grades 5-12
2025-02-06 09:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-06 09:00 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: February 6, 2025 or March 6, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person

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

Fee: $25 WRESA Members
$50 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
Audience: Grades 5-12 Science Educators

Description:
In response to the new North Carolina Science Standards for Grades 5 – 12, WRESA has partnered with NCCAT and has recruited a team of regional science education professionals to create science support documents. This session aims to acclimate science teachers to these new resources. Participants in this session will do the following:

Understanding the New Standards: Delve into the key changes and expectations outlined in the updated science standards.

Essential Resources: Discover a curated collection of teaching materials, lesson plans, and activities aligned with the new standards.

Effective Implementation Strategies: Learn practical tips and strategies for integrating the new standards into your classroom curriculum.

Addressing Common Challenges: Explore potential obstacles and discuss effective solutions.

Jennifer Redfearn, NCCAT’s Senior Stem Specialist and members of her team will share the new resources and be available to answer questions you might have.

Presenter: Jennifer Redfearn, Senior Stem Specialist at NCCAT
***NOTE: WE ARE OFFERING THIS TWICE SO THAT MEMBERS OF THE REGION HAVE A CHOICE AS TO WHEN TO ATTEND THIS TRAINING FOR GRADES 5-12 SCIENCE EDUCATORS.
For more information, contact April at aspencer@wresa.org
If you are unsure whether your school system is a WRESA member, click WRESA MEMBER List.
REGISTER

All Things Finance
2025-02-25 09:00 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: February 25, 2025 (COURSE CANCELLED)
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
Audience: K-12 Administrators, K-12 Assistant Principals, and Aspiring Principals

Description: This course will focus on best practices for individual school finance and
accounting. Topics covered will include cash management, payroll, and accounts
payable. We will discuss the importance of establishing strong internal controls and
financial record keeping. We will briefly touch on the budgeting process and allotments.
Presenter: Deborah Frisby – I started my career in school finance in 1984 as a payroll
clerk at Buncombe County Schools for three years. In 1991, I started working at
Madison County Schools as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). I worked there for 23
years and then moved to Buncombe County Schools as their CFO in January 2014. I
retired on June 1, 2021 with 33 years of experience. In September 2021, I became an
independent contractor/consultant and now provide training for new finance officers.
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.
COURSE CANCELLED

Engaging Minds and Inspiring Growth in the English I and II Classroom
2025-03-11 09:00 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: March 11, 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
Audience: Teachers of English I and II, Instructional Coaches
Limit: 45 Participants
Description: Discover innovative approaches to enhance student learning and engagement in the English I and II classroom. This session will explore key strategies for fostering literary analysis and critical thinking, engaging reluctant readers, and facilitating meaningful discussion-based learning. Dive into metacognition techniques to help students become reflective learners and learn how to use data to inform instruction and drive student success. Walk away with actionable tools and insights to create a dynamic learning environment for all students.
Presenter: Dr. Amy Marlowe has dedicated over 27 years to education, including 24 years teaching English in Cleveland County Schools and the last three years as a Literacy Instructional Coach for Rutherford County Schools. Holding a Master’s and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Marlowe is deeply passionate about adolescent literacy. As a Reading Apprenticeship Facilitator, she specializes in promoting disciplinary literacy across secondary classrooms, empowering educators to create engaging, literacy-rich environments for all students.
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

Unlocking Word Power: Proven Strategies for Success
2025-03-12 09:00 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: March 12, 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
Audience: K-8 Educators and Coaches
What to Bring: Your own device

Description:
Join us for a transformative session dedicated to unraveling the intricacies of the lower
strand of The Reading Rope: word recognition. Delve into the essential components of
phonological awareness, decoding, and sight recognition of familiar words, crucial for
building proficient readers. Explore how the science of reading informs teaching strategies
for word recognition, ensuring alignment with evidence-based practices. Gain invaluable
insights into shifting instructional approaches to cultivate accuracy, fluency, and automaticity
in young readers and discover what effective instruction in word recognition entails when
it’s aligned with the Science of Reading. This session is designed for literacy leaders,
administrators, and instructional coaches. Participants will leave with a literacy guide that
outlines look fors, red flags, and coaching moves to propel instruction forward in your building.
Presenter: Cindy Hutchins is a district wide literacy coach for Buncombe County
Schools. She has previous experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and
instructional coach. As a product of Buncombe County Schools, she is passionate
about literacy in WNC and believes that every student has the right to read.
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

Leading Through A Trusting Culture
2025-03-18 09:00 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: March 18, 2025
Time: 9:00 -3:00
Type: In -Person

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

Fee: $60.00 WRESA Member
$85.00 Non-WRESA Member

**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, Aspiring Administrators, School Improvement Teams
What to Bring: A charged device
Description: A culture of trust within any organization is key. It not only enhances team unity and strength but empowers employees to take ownership of their roles and ultimately build a stronger school. However, trust doesn’t just happen. Developing a culture of trust requires deliberate actions taken by the school’s leadership and nourishing healthy relationships throughout the school community.
Presenters:
Sid Bailey, Arizona Department of Education Associate Superintendent
Sid Bailey, is the Associate Superintendent Educator Leadership and will lead the effort for the School Safety Program; Certification; Educator Recruitment and Retention (Principal Academy); Title II and school discipline (classroom management development) and the Charter School Program. In his 40-plus year career, Bailey served as Principal for 14 years in two different High Schools. Both received national attention for academic success. He was Director of AZ. Leads (leadership development) for ADE for 3.5 years; Director of Leadership Development for the Arizona Charter Schools Association for more than 6 years; Adjunct professor for Grand Canyon University and an Independent Educational Consultant assisting schools, several of whom were in need of academic turnaround. He holds a B.A. in History, Government and Political Science, Masters in Special Education and an Administrative Certificate from Northern Arizona University.
Jim Saltz, Leadership and Improvement Specialist.
Jim Saltz is a Leadership and Improvement Specialist at Ed Direction. He enjoys working with schools and seeks the challenge of implementing data-driven school improvement strategies without sacrificing the quest for a positive, nurturing school culture. With over thirty years of educational experience, Jim has dynamically led schools and programs by promoting a success-oriented culture that transcends tests over time. Described as a visionary, Jim strives to assist organizations in building capacity so that schools can function at the highest level so the learning community will have both immediate and sustained impact.
Jane Williams, School Turnaround and Human Behavior Specialist
Jane is a Director at Ed Direction, a K-12 Public Education practice. She is a veteran educator with 30 years of experience in the NC public school system serving as a teacher (5-time TOY), athletic coach, Principal, and district administrator. She co-chaired a task force that created the first Alternative School in the district and was Chairperson of the County Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Council for 5 years.
As Vice-President of Prevention Services for a private, non-profit substance abuse agency in Winston-Salem, NC she grew the practice from a staff of five which served three NC counties to a staff of forty that provided services to youth, families, schools, and communities in 14 counties. As an educational consultant for New View Publications for 12 years, Jane had the opportunity to partner with businesses, community agencies, and schools in numerous states throughout the US.
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

Amie Dean – Behavior Interventions that Work – March 2025
2025-03-21 09:00 - 15:00 | WCU Health and Human Sciences Building, 3971 Little Savannah Road, Cullowhee, NC, 28723, United States
Date: March 21, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm

Type: In-Person

Location: Western Carolina University
Health and Human Sciences Building
3971 Little Savannah Road
Cullowhee, NC 28723
Fee: $25
NCNTSP Participants: FREE - See your BT Coordinator for code

**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
Audience: K-12 Teachers
What to Bring: A charged device
Description:
Through teaching and coaching in classrooms with many behavioral challenges for almost 30 years, Amie knows what works to help students succeed. Her goals have always included helping students build confidence, promoting social emotional literacy, and teaching positive habits that will help them be successful adults. The strategies shared in this course are practical, simple, and proven. Behavior Interventions that Work is Amie’s most requested course.
Topics covered in this course:

Setting up a classroom system
Setting up a positive classroom community
Purpose of behavior
Building motivation in your students
Dealing with defiance and maintaining self-control
Consistency – Setting up a Classroom Discipline Cycle
Minimizing noise with group contingencies

Presenter: Amie Dean
Amie is also the author of four books, including her workbook, Your Roadmap for Creating a Positive Classroom Community, which includes over 200 pages of strategies and ideas for building a positive classroom community and responding to behavior. She has worked with thousands of teachers across the U. S. and is thrilled to work with Western Carolina University and WRESA!
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.
COURSE FULL – REGISTRATIION CLOSED

Innovation and Ethics: AI in Education
2025-03-25 09:00 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: March 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: 40 Participants

Audience: K-12 Educators
What to bring? Your own device
Description: This professional development day will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education, focusing on innovative tools and approaches to enhance teaching and learning. Alongside these opportunities, we’ll explore ethical concerns and potential pitfalls associated with AI use in education and the role of educators in ensuring responsible implementation. Through interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and real-world case studies, educators will gain practical knowledge to integrate AI effectively while navigating its challenges.
Presenter: Ian Selig passionately advocates for high-quality education and leverages instructional technology to enhance learning outcomes. As a former high school science teacher and now a Learning Technologist and Adjunct Instructor at Western Carolina University, he collaborates with faculty to design engaging instruction that empowers learners to surpass expectations.
A recognized leader in artificial intelligence (AI) in education, Ian has published work on AI literacy, spearheads innovative approaches to AI in instructional design, and speaks nationally to educators and business leaders about the future of learning.
If you have additional questions, contact Jill Chambers at jchambers@wresa.org
Registration

Neuroscience of Education: “Mind, Body, and Brain: Unlocking the Secrets to Engaged and Empowered Learning!”
2025-03-27 09:00 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: March 27, 2025 (COURSE CANCELLED)
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
Audience: K-12 Educators
What to Bring: Your own device

Description:
This seminar dives into educational neuroscience, helping teachers understand how the brain develops and learns. Participants will explore how to boost student engagement through movement, mind-body activities, and neuroplasticity, while learning how emotions, technology, and cognitive skills impact memory and learning in reading, math, and beyond.
Presenter: Dr. Natalie Boone will be the instructor. She is a professor at Mars Hill University and received the 2021 University Teacher of the Year award from NCSHAPE. Boone teaches, advises students, and supervises student 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.
COURSE CANCELLED

Where Do I Start? A Crash Course to Assist with Passing the Foundations of Reading Exam
2025-03-29 09:00 - 11:30 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: March 29, 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 9:00am – 11:30am
Type: In-Person

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

Fee: $45

**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: None
Limit: 30 Participants
Audience: Beginning and Lateral Entry Teachers
What to Bring: Your own device

Description:
By the end of this session, participants will:

Expand knowledge of the content covered in the Foundations of Reading Exam
Learn how to access study materials and resources
Examine and discuss sample questions from the practice exam
Work collaboratively to begin developing a study guide
Independently work through practice questions to access areas of strength and need

Presenter:
Allyson Scott just completed her fourth-year teaching 4th grade at West Marion Elementary. She is passionate about helping students love learning and finding new technology resources to use in the classroom. Outside of school. Allyson enjoys traveling, reading, and kayaking.
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

Where Do I Start? A Crash Course to Assist with the CKT Praxis Exam (Math)
2025-03-29 12:30 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: March 29, 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 12:30 – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person

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

Fee: $45

**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: None
Limit: 30 Participants
Audience: Beginning and Lateral Entry Teachers
What to Bring: Your own device

Description:
By the end of this session, participants will:

Expand knowledge of the content covered on the Math Praxis/Praxis CKT exams
Examine and discuss sample questions from the practice exam
Learn how to access study materials and resources
Work collaboratively to begin developing a study guide
Independently work through practice questions to access areas of strength and need

Presenter:
Allyson Scott just completed her fourth-year teaching 4th grade at West Marion Elementary. She is passionate about helping students love learning and finding new technology resources to use in the classroom. Outside of school. Allyson enjoys traveling, reading, and kayaking.
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

Rigor with Heart: Integrating SEL to Thrive During Testing Season
2025-04-29 09:00 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: April 29, 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
Audience: 3-8 Educators and Coaches
What to Bring: Your own device

Description: Testing season is a challenging time. It is full of rigor and pressure. These conditions actually present the perfect opportunity for Social Emotional Learning. Explore how SEL can be incorporated into and drive engagement in rigorous tasks. This session will outline an experiential framework for SEL, engage participants in model activities, and provide supportive and collaborative planning time to bring joy, reflection, and rigor into the remainder of the year.
Presenter: Brian Randall from the NC Center for Resilience and Learning will be your presenter. Brian is a passionate public school educator who strongly believes in the transformative power of resilience-informed practices. Brian has taught grades 3-6. He is an experiential educator who focused on integrating social emotional learning strategies into daily curricula. After graduating from Brevard College, Brian taught at Hall Fletcher Elementary School. He then accepted the director role of the In Real Life afterschool network, coordinating hundreds of programs for middle schoolers. Brian authored a handbook for social-emotional learning and led training for afterschool providers statewide. Brian was the strategic planner for the Wilson Foundation YMCA afterschool initiative, where he designed systems to address systemic health outcomes.
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

Engage & Energize: Innovative Games and Activities to Boost Student Participation in PE
2025-05-06 09:00 - 15:00 | Haywood County Schools Conference Center, 112 Virginia Avenue, Waynesville, NC, 28786, United States
Date: May 6, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person

Location: Hazelwood Conference Center
112 Virginia Ave
Waynesville, NC 28786

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
Audience: K-12 PE teachers (Dress to move! We will be in a classroom
and in the gym practicing)
Limit: No limit

Description:
Physical Education teachers will explore a range of innovative games and activities designed to energize students and maximize engagement in the PE classroom. Participants will learn how to adapt traditional games, incorporate creative new strategies, and create a dynamic learning environment that encourages active participation for all students, regardless of ability level. From team-building exercises to solo challenges, this workshop will provide teachers with fresh, practical tools to foster a love of physical activity and ensure students are excited and motivated to learn. Leave with a toolkit of ready-to-implement games and strategies to make your PE lessons more active, inclusive, and fun!
Presenter: The instructor will be Dr. Natalie Boone from Mars Hill University. Dr. Natalie Boone, assistant professor of health, human performance, and recreation at Mars Hill University, was named the 2021 University Teacher of the Year by the Physical Education Association of NCSHAPE. The award recognizes members for leadership, meritorious service, and active organizational involvement. Boone teaches at MHU, advises education students, and supervises student teachers. She leads workshops for physical education teachers through NC SHAPE, WRESA, and NCCAT and has served on NC SHAPE and WRESA boards.
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

Constructing Reading Comprehension: A Blueprint & Instructional Tools
2025-05-07 09:00 - 15:00 | The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: May 7, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person

Location: The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
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
Audience: K-5 Administrators, Classroom Teachers, and Coaches
Description:
Comprehension, whether through reading or listening, is a complex and multidimensional
process. It involves the integration of various skills, processes, and sources of knowledge.
A knowledgeable educator understands comprehension and the importance of vocabulary,
sentence structure, and background knowledge. This includes aspects such as text structure,
inference, and comprehension monitoring, all of which contribute to making meaning.
Let’s examine how this understanding can shape an instructional blueprint based on scientific
principles for effective teaching. This framework helps educators identify key literacy skills,
select suitable readings, and implement essential routines and strategies to promote a deep
understanding of the text and enhance knowledge acquisition.
Together, we will discuss the following:

The complexity of and contributors to reading comprehension
The components of the Blueprint for Reading Comprehension
Model unit & lesson plans and instructional routines, strategies & activities for
each contributor
Current practices & possibilities for enriching/differentiating instruction

Presenter: Nancy Hennessy is an experienced educator who currently works as a literacy
consultant. She has designed and delivered multiple virtual and live professional
learning events on the science of reading, structured literacy & dyslexia. Most recently,
reading comprehension has been her focus.
Nancy is the author of the book, The Reading Comprehension Blueprint: Helping
Students Make Meaning of Text and recently, co-authored a companion text, The
Reading Comprehension Activity Book: A Practice & Planning Guide for Teachers with
Julia Salamone. Nancy has also written the chapter, Working with Word Meaning:
Vocabulary Instruction, in Multisensory Teaching of Basic Skills (4 th edition). While
serving as a national trainer for Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and
Spelling, she co-authored LETRS, Digging for Meaning: Teaching Text Comprehension (2nd
edition) with Louisa Moats.
Nancy is the past president of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and has
served as the vice-president of the North Carolina Branch of IDA. In 2011, Nancy
received the International Dyslexia Association’s Margaret Byrd Rawson Lifetime
Achievement Award & was recently honored with the North Carolina Department of
Public Instruction’s 2023 Impact Award.
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: May 2025
2025-05-08 09:00 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: May 8, 2025
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

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 Mr. Ayers, 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

Early Planning for a Successful Retirement: July 2025
2025-07-16 09:00 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: July 16, 2025
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

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 Mr. Ayers, 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

WRESA Regional AIG Credentials Course – 2025
2025-07-23 09:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-24 09:00 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: July 23 & 24, 2025
Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Type: In-person

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

Fee: $85 WRESA Members Only

**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 Classroom Teachers, (Licensed AIG Specialists are welcome)
CEUs: 10 Contact hours
What to Bring: Charged device
Description:
AIG Coordinators across the NC Western Region have recognized the need for classroom teachers to understand the unique characteristics and needs of gifted learners. In this 2-day course, teachers will review and understand their own district-specific Academically/Intellectually Gifted Services Plans. They will learn how to recognize the characteristics of gifted learners and understand their unique learning needs. Differentiation strategies for the regular classroom will be a focus and teachers will leave with tools for planning, working in PLCs, and using differentiation strategies in their classrooms.
Participants will receive a WRESA Regional AIG Credentials certificate. While it is important to note that this is not NC AIG Licensure, it will provide a practical level of knowledge and skill that will benefit gifted and advanced learners in classrooms across the region. These credentials will be recognized and accepted by the WRESA member school systems. Stephanie Knox, the AIG/Advanced Learning Lead Specialist for Buncombe County schools will be leading this workshop.
If you have additional questions, contact April Spencer aspencer@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
2025-08-05 09:00 - 15:00 | WCU Biltmore Park, 28 Schenck Pkwy, Asheville, NC, 28803, United States
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

Leading the Way: School Administrators and the IDEA
2025-09-09 09:00 - 15:00 | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: September 9, 2025 (Rescheduled from original December 10, 2024)
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person

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

Fee: No Fee
Audience: K-12 School Administrators
CEUS: 5 Contact Hours
Description:
This full-day professional development seeks to challenge aspiring administrators and school
administrators to examine the impact of their leadership on the educational and functional
outcomes of students with disabilities within their schools. The session will address the many
facets that face school administrators as they lead schools that support the education of
students with disabilities, such as the impact of their leadership on the instruction, curriculum
and environment for students with disabilities within their schools.
During the session we will examine implementation of IDEA and NC Policies through a
leadership style and school culture lens. We will provide support for administrators in
deepening their understanding of state and federal IDEA regulations as well as implementation
of specially designed instruction, services and programs for students with disabilities.
Presenters:
Teri Queen currently serves as the Northwest and Western Region Literacy Consultant for the
North Carolina Public Schools Office of Exceptional Children for the Program Improvement and
Professional Development section. In this role, she facilitates building capacity and
sustainability of the NC State Improvement Project grant through systems level coaching. In
addition to providing guidance in the data driven continuous improvement needs, she works
with professional, parent, and service organizations and Institutions of Higher Education to
promote appropriate public education and improved services for students with disabilities for
North Carolina Public Schools and private Universities. Teri has previously served as an
Exceptional Children Director, EC Program Specialist, EC Instructional Facilitator, Federal
Programs Coordinator, Exceptional Children Transition Specialist, Accountability Coordinator
and an Exceptional Children Teacher in North Carolina and Virginia over the course of 26 years.
Kelly Doppke is an IDEA Consultant for the Western Region with the Office of Exceptional
Children, where she provides regional support to EC leadership and school teams in LEAs and
Charters across the area. Originally from South Carolina, Kelly moved to Western North Carolina
with her family in 2007. She holds an undergraduate degree in Elementary, Early Childhood,
and Special Education from Lander University, a Master of Education from Southern Wesleyan
University, and a Post-Master’s Certificate in School Administration from Western Carolina
University.
Kelly’s favorite job, aside from her current role, was serving as a camp counselor at Camp
Spearhead, a camp for children and adults with special needs in upstate South Carolina.
Throughout her career as a teacher, program specialist, and EC director, Kelly developed a deep
passion for creating inclusive systems for students with disabilities. Her leadership focus is on
reducing exclusionary practices for students with challenging behaviors and finding ways to
ensure equitable opportunities for all students.
Traci Royal currently serves as the IDEA Consultant for the Northwest region with the Office of
Exceptional Children. In this role, she directly supports EC Directors and Charter Coordinators
and their staff through professional development, coaching, and technical assistance in all areas
related to the provision of special education services as well as overall program evaluation and
improvement. Traci serves on the NW Regional Support Team as well. Prior to transitioning to
NCDPI in this role in 2020, Traci served in both small and large school districts as an elementary
and high school EC teacher across multiple educational settings, assistant EC Director, EC
Director, and Executive EC Director.

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

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