Unlocking Language Comprehension: Navigating the Upper Realms of The Reading Rope (Grades 2-5)
2026-12-03 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | WRESA, 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Date: December 3, 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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 45 Participants
Audience: 2-5 Teachers, Administrators, and Coaches
What to bring?: your own device
Description:
Leap into the upper strands of the Reading Rope in this engaging session focused on language comprehension. Participants will explore the essential components of morphology, language comprehension, and fluency instruction. Gain practical insights through concrete classroom examples and evidence-aligned instructional routines designed to impact DIBELS outcomes while supporting the current ELA core curriculum. The session will also highlight data collected from a pilot study conducted in Buncombe County Schools during the previous school year.
Presenters:
Cynthia Hutchins is a District Title I Literacy Coach with over 15 years of experience in education, specializing in structured literacy and the science of reading. She has served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and reading specialist in Buncombe County Schools, where she now leads district wide literacy initiatives across 27 Title I schools. Cynthia is passionate about ensuring all students have access to effective, evidence-based reading instruction and works closely with educators to implement high-impact practices, analyze data, and improve student outcomes. She also designs and facilitates professional development, including Fundations and LETRS-aligned training, and has partnered with nationally recognized literacy experts to support teacher growth and student achievement.
Lisa Lemus is a dedicated educator with over three decades of experience in education. After 32 years in the classroom and five years as an instructional coach, she now serves as a Title I literacy coach, where she is passionate about supporting both students and teachers in developing strong literacy skills. When she’s not working, Lisa enjoys being outdoors and making memories with her family.
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

Unlocking Learning for K-5 Multilingual Learners
2026-12-08 09:00 - 15:00
Date: December 8, 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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 45 Participants
Audience: K-5 Classroom Teachers and Instructional Coaches
What to bring?: Your own device and Standards or Curriculum Materials
for Planning
Description:
Making Grade
Level Content Accessible, Memorable, and Meaningful for K-5
Multilingual Learners
This workshop will cover the fundamentals of second language acquisition and provide an overview of multilingual learners in Western North Carolina. It will include a review of best practices, along with an explanation of why these approaches are effective, supported by relevant brain research.
Participants will be introduced to specific instructional strategies and will have dedicated time and support to develop lessons and activities aligned to grade-level content.
Participants are asked to bring standards or curriculum materials for planning, a fully charged device, and a colleague. If possible, ACCESS scores for the multilingual learners they serve should also be brought. While all teachers are welcome, the session focuses on strategies general education teachers can use when delivering content.
Participants will leave with:

An understanding of multilingual learners
Knowledge of effective instructional practices and the rationale behind them
Awareness of how targeted strategies are developed and implemented
Classroom-ready plans and materials

Presenter:
Simone Wertenberger serves as the Director of ESL, Migrant Education, and World/Dual Language for Henderson County Public Schools. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Psychology, and Education from Kalamazoo College in 2000, followed by a Master’s degree in Social and Cultural Foundations of Education and Human Development from DePaul University in 2004. Wertenberger has been a National Board Certified Teacher in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages since 2009 and is an OCDE Project GLAD® (Guided Language Acquisition Design) Certified Agency Trainer. Her professional background includes extensive K–12 classroom teaching experience, as well as both school-based and district-level administrative leadership.
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

Unlocking Learning for Secondary Multilingual Learners
2026-12-09 09:00 - 15:00
Date: December 9, 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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 45 Participants
Audience: Secondary Classroom Teachers and Instructional Coaches
What to bring?: Your own device and Standards or Curriculum Materials
for Planning
Description:
Making Grade
Level Content Accessible, Memorable, and Meaningful for Secondary
Multilingual Learners
This workshop will cover the fundamentals of second language acquisition and provide an overview of multilingual learners in Western North Carolina. It will include a review of best practices, along with an explanation of why these approaches are effective, supported by relevant brain research.
Participants will be introduced to specific instructional strategies and will have dedicated time and support to develop lessons and activities aligned to grade-level content.
Participants are asked to bring standards or curriculum materials for planning, a fully charged device, and a colleague. If possible, ACCESS scores for the multilingual learners they serve should also be brought. While all teachers are welcome, the session focuses on strategies general education teachers can use when delivering content.
Participants will leave with:

An understanding of multilingual learners
Knowledge of effective instructional practices and the rationale behind them
Awareness of how targeted strategies are developed and implemented
Classroom-ready plans and materials

Presenter:
Simone Wertenberger serves as the Director of ESL, Migrant Education, and World/Dual Language for Henderson County Public Schools. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Psychology, and Education from Kalamazoo College in 2000, followed by a Master’s degree in Social and Cultural Foundations of Education and Human Development from DePaul University in 2004. Wertenberger has been a National Board Certified Teacher in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages since 2009 and is an OCDE Project GLAD® (Guided Language Acquisition Design) Certified Agency Trainer. Her professional background includes extensive K–12 classroom teaching experience, as well as both school-based and district-level administrative leadership.
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

Finance Series for Superintendents, Finance Officers & HR Directors
2027-01-12 11:30 - 15:00, 2027-03-09 11:30 - 15:00
Date: September 22, 2026, October 13, November 3, January 12, 2027, and March 9, 2027
Time: 11:30am – 3:00pm

Type: In-Person

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

Fee: FREE with lunch included

CEUs: 3.5 Contact Hours per session or 1.75 for the entire 5 sessions
Limit: 45 Participants
Audience: Superintendents, Finance Officers & HR Directors
What to bring?: Your own device

Description:
WRESA, in partnership with NCASBO, is providing a structured, professional development series
for superintendents, finance officers, and human resource directors across the Western Carolina
Region.
This series will strengthen financial leadership capacity, improve transparency, and ensure
accountability in the management of public school funds. Training to be led by teams consisting of
one superintendent and one finance officer – a pairing that reflects the essential collaboration
required for effective financial management in school districts.
OUTCOMES – Participants will:
• Leave each session with at least one ready to use tool
• Strengthen collaboration
• Increase operational efficiency
• Improve compliance readiness
• Understand the fiscal cycle
• Build a regional network of peers
Session 1: September 22, 2026 – Laying the Foundation
• NC Public School Fiscal Control Act/Fund Accounting/Chart of Accounts
• Financial Reporting Requirements
• Current Year Allotments
• Continuing Budget Resolutions & Budget Adoption
• Position Control & Staffing Alignment
Session 2: October 13, 2026 – Building & Communicating the Budget
• Presenting Budgets to Boards of Ed. & Stakeholders
• Working on Budgets with Central Office Directors & Principals
• Annual External Audit & Preparing for Annual Audit Presentation
• Spending Projections for Current Year
• State & Federal Allotments for Special Populations
• Cash Management Requirements
• Investment of Idle Funds
Session 3: November 3, 2026 – Operational Controls & Assets
• Purchasing & Compliance – Board Approval Requirements
• Fixed Asset Tracking
• Property Disposal Rules
• Internal Controls & Risk Management
• Long Term Planning for Declining Enrollment
Session 4: January 12, 2027 – Preparing for the New Fiscal Year
• State Planning Allotments for 2027-2028
• Budget Projections for 2027-2028
• Salary Audit Exceptions
Session 5: March 9, 2027 – Fiscal Year End Close
• Planning and Preparing for Year-End Fiscal Close out
• Allotment Projects
• Fund Balance Projects
REGISTER

Managing Big Emotions: Strategies for Academic Focus (Grades 4 - 7)
2027-01-13 09:00 - 15:00
Date: January 13, 2027
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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 45 Participants
Audience: Grades 4-7 Educators, Coaches, and Administrators
What to bring?: Your own device

Description:
This one-day workshop provides teachers with actionable methods for aiding elementary and intermediate learners (grades 4–7) across general and special education settings. The session focuses on overcoming hurdles that arise when heightened emotions disrupt a student’s ability to concentrate on academics. Attendees will investigate forward-thinking approaches, such as emotional regulation strategies, sequential problem-solving, visual aids, and executive function development, to empower students in balancing their school and home life.
Presenter:
Serving the K-12 population of Buncombe County Schools in Asheville, North Carolina, Marlou DeVera brings over three decades of professional experience within educational environments.
In her capacity as an autism and behavior specialist, she provides coaching and professional development for educators, focusing on proactive classroom programming and emotional regulation. Furthermore, she organizes and leads social skills groups for K-12 learners with diverse needs, partnering with therapists and special education and general education faculty.
Her extensive background includes previous roles as an exceptional children’s curriculum specialist and an intensive intervention teacher for middle school students on the spectrum. She also served as the director for a program facilitating the mainstreaming of K-12 students with high-functioning autism.
Marlou is recognized as a TEACCH Advanced Consultant through UNC-Chapel Hill and has completed clinical studies with Social Thinking in San Jose. She earned her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of the Philippines.
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

Shaping School Culture...One Conversation at a Time
2027-01-28 09:00 - 15:00
Date: January 28, 2027
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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 45 Participants
Audience: K-12 Administrators and Aspiring Administrators
What to bring?: Your own device

How Great Leaders Build Trust, Accountability, and High Expectations Through Everyday
Conversations
Description:
Have you ever wondered why some schools naturally develop a positive, high-performing
culture while others struggle with conflict, inconsistency, and low morale? Or have you ever
walked away from a difficult conversation with an employee wondering, “Did I handle that the
right way?”
The reality is that school culture isn’t built through programs, slogans, or initiatives. It is shaped
by the conversations leaders have every day. Every interaction either strengthens trust,
reinforces expectations, or weakens the culture you’re trying to create.
In this interactive, full-day workshop, school leaders will discover practical strategies for creating
a culture where relationships matter, accountability is embraced, and teaching and learning
thrive. Participants will explore the Core Four of Leadership—Judgment, Relationships, Work
Ethic, and Integrity—and learn how those leadership qualities are brought to life through the
Five C’s of Sustainable School Culture: Communication, Consistency, Collaboration,
Commitment, and Compassion.
Throughout the day, participants will engage in realistic leadership scenarios, practice
navigating challenging conversations, and learn how to use artificial intelligence as a leadership
coach to prepare for difficult discussions, strengthen communication, and become more
reflective, confident leaders.
Participants will leave with practical conversation frameworks, AI-powered leadership tools, and
strategies they can immediately apply to shape a stronger school culture—one conversation at
a time.
Presenter BIO:
Scott Rhodes – Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources with Henderson County Public Schools
Mr. Rhodes is starting his 34th year in public education. He has served in Henderson County as
a teacher, coach, assistant principal, middle and high school principal, and now serves as
assistant superintendent for Human Resources.
Mr. Rhodes received his undergraduate degree in Health and Physical Education from Western
Carolina University and his master’s degree in School Administration from Gardner Webb
University.
Mr. Rhodes was selected as the 2015 NASSP, North Carolina Secondary 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

Facilitating Number Sense Routines Badge 3
2027-02-04 09:00 - 15:00
Date: February 4, 2027
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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 25 Participants
Audience: Teachers and Math Coaches, Grades 6 - Math 1
Bring: Your Own Charged Device

Description: This session will focus on research-based number sense routines that support students’ reasoning skills. Join us as we explore routines that build an understanding of number properties, contribute to fluency, and support math discussion.
Presenter: Emily Myers – Senior Math Specialist, NCCAT
***IMPORTANT NOTE: Join us as we explore strategies that allow all students to thrive and grow into successful mathematicians who ask questions, engage in math discourse, and think critically. This program is intended for teachers in grades 6 through Math 1 and is part of a 4-day NCCAT badge series for secondary math. WRESA participants can take any number of the sessions; however, all four sessions must be completed to earn the NCCAT Math Badge. Below are the dates and the topics of the four sessions of the Secondary Math Badge series:

Sept. 30, 2026 – Core Math Instruction Models and Practices

Nov. 5, 2026 – Hands-On Math Learning for Middle Grades

Feb. 4, 2027 – Facilitating Number Sense Routines

Mar. 11, 2027 –Authentic Problem-Solving in Middle Grades

You must sign up and pay the fee for each session individually.
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

Comprehension for Secondary Teachers (Part 3)
2027-02-11 09:00 - 15:00
Date: February 11, 2027
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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

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 participants analyzing current research and best practices for effectively teaching reading comprehension strategies for the secondary classroom. Participants will apply new learning to create an implementation plan for teaching reading comprehension in their 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:

Sept 24, 2026 – An Overview of the Science of Reading for Secondary Teachers
Oct 28, 2026 – Vocabulary for Secondary Teachers
Feb 11, 2027 – Comprehension for Secondary Teachers
Mar 10, 2027 – Authentic Problem-Solving in Middle Grades

***NOTE – You must sign up and pay the fee for each session individually.
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

Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary Teachers (Part 4)
2027-03-10 09:00 - 15:00
Date: March 10, 2027
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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

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:

Sept 24, 2026 – An Overview of the Science of Reading for Secondary Teachers
Oct 28, 2026 – Vocabulary for Secondary Teachers
Feb 11, 2027 – Comprehension for Secondary Teachers
Mar 10, 2027 – The Reading and Writing Connection for Secondary Teachers

***NOTE – You must sign up and pay the fee for each session individually.
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

Authentic Problem-Solving in Middle Grades: Badge 4
2027-03-11 09:00 - 15:00
Date: March 11, 2027
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. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.

CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 25 Participants
Audience: Teachers and Math Coaches, Grades 6 - Math 1
Bring: Your Own Charged Device

Description: This session four will focus on problem-solving routines that embrace the eight mathematical practices. Join us as we explore instructional approaches that engage students in problem-solving while empowering students to persevere. This program is intended for math teachers in grades 6 – Math 1.
Presenter: Emily Myers – Senior Math Specialist, NCCAT
***IMPORTANT NOTE: Join us as we explore strategies that allow all students to thrive and grow into successful mathematicians who ask questions, engage in math discourse, and think critically. This program is intended for teachers in grades 6 through Math 1 and is part of a 4-day NCCAT badge series for secondary math.
WRESA participants can take any number of the sessions; however, all four sessions must be completed to earn the NCCAT Math Badge. Below are the dates and the topics of the four sessions of the Secondary Math Badge series:

Sept. 30, 2026 – Core Math Instruction Models and Practices

Nov. 5, 2026 – Hands-On Math Learning for Middle Grades

Feb. 4, 2027 – Facilitating Number Sense Routines

Mar. 11, 2027 – Authentic Problem-Solving in Middle Grades

You must sign up and pay the fee for each session individually.
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
