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

The post Finance Series for Superintendents, Finance Officers & HR Directors appeared first on WRESA.

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

The post Shaping School Culture…One Conversation at a Time appeared first on WRESA.

Description:
School safety is built on strong relationships, shared understanding, and a commitment to
working together. In this session, school administrators and School Resource Officers (SROs)
will explore strategies for building effective partnerships that foster trust, improve
communication, and create a unified approach to supporting students and staff. Through practical
examples and real-world experiences, participants will examine how strong administrator-SRO
relationships contribute to a positive school climate, proactive problem-solving, and a safer
school community for all.

Presenters:
Captain Stephanie Cantwell
Captain Stephanie Cantwell has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, including 14
years with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout her career, she has served as a
Patrol Officer, Detective, Training Coordinator, and School Resource Officer.

Since joining the School Resource Officer Division in 2018, Captain Cantwell has advanced
through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain while building strong partnerships
between schools, law enforcement, students, and families. She has served on numerous school-
focused committees, including the School Safety Advisory Board, School Justice Partnership,
School Health Advisory Committee, Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, Juvenile Crime
Prevention Council, and Handle with Care.

A strong advocate for collaboration and relationship-building, Captain Cantwell has helped lead
school safety initiatives, coordinated multi-agency training exercises, and supported responses to
school-related incidents throughout Henderson County. In 2025, she was appointed to the
Henderson County Board of Education.

In addition to her law enforcement service, Captain Cantwell is an Adjunct Professor at Blue
Ridge Community College. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Technological
University and a master’s degree in Human Resource and Leadership Development from
Louisiana State University. Her experience in public safety, education, and leadership provides a
unique perspective on the vital partnership between schools, administrators, and School
Resource Officers.

Dr. Carl Taylor
Dr. Carl Taylor has 27 years of experience in public education and currently serves as the Chief
Administrative Officer for Henderson County Public Schools. Throughout his career, he has
served as a mathematics teacher, high school principal, and district leader, developing extensive
experience in school leadership, student services, operations, and school safety.

In his current role, Dr. Taylor oversees school safety, transportation, facilities, and district
operations while working closely with school administrators, School Resource Officers, and
community partners to support safe and effective learning environments.  He has served on
numerous district and community committees focused on student well-being, school safety, and
organizational leadership.  Throughout his career, Dr. Taylor has focused on creating systems and
partnerships that support both student success and school safety. He has helped
lead districtwide safety initiatives, crisis response planning, policy development, and
professional learning opportunities for school leaders. His work emphasizes proactive
communication, shared responsibility, and strong collaboration among educators, law
enforcement, students, and families.

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

The post Stronger Together: Creating a Culture of Safety Through Partnership – Secondary appeared first on WRESA.

Description:
School safety is built on strong relationships, shared understanding, and a commitment to
working together. In this session, school administrators and School Resource Officers (SROs)
will explore strategies for building effective partnerships that foster trust, improve
communication, and create a unified approach to supporting students and staff. Through practical
examples and real-world experiences, participants will examine how strong administrator-SRO
relationships contribute to a positive school climate, proactive problem-solving, and a safer
school community for all.

Presenters:
Captain Stephanie Cantwell
Captain Stephanie Cantwell has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, including 14
years with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout her career, she has served as a
Patrol Officer, Detective, Training Coordinator, and School Resource Officer.

Since joining the School Resource Officer Division in 2018, Captain Cantwell has advanced
through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain while building strong partnerships
between schools, law enforcement, students, and families. She has served on numerous school-
focused committees, including the School Safety Advisory Board, School Justice Partnership,
School Health Advisory Committee, Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, Juvenile Crime
Prevention Council, and Handle with Care.

A strong advocate for collaboration and relationship-building, Captain Cantwell has helped lead
school safety initiatives, coordinated multi-agency training exercises, and supported responses to
school-related incidents throughout Henderson County. In 2025, she was appointed to the
Henderson County Board of Education.

In addition to her law enforcement service, Captain Cantwell is an Adjunct Professor at Blue
Ridge Community College. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Technological
University and a master’s degree in Human Resource and Leadership Development from
Louisiana State University. Her experience in public safety, education, and leadership provides a
unique perspective on the vital partnership between schools, administrators, and School
Resource Officers.

Dr. Carl Taylor
Dr. Carl Taylor has 27 years of experience in public education and currently serves as the Chief
Administrative Officer for Henderson County Public Schools. Throughout his career, he has
served as a mathematics teacher, high school principal, and district leader, developing extensive
experience in school leadership, student services, operations, and school safety.

In his current role, Dr. Taylor oversees school safety, transportation, facilities, and district
operations while working closely with school administrators, School Resource Officers, and
community partners to support safe and effective learning environments.  He has served on
numerous district and community committees focused on student well-being, school safety, and
organizational leadership.  Throughout his career, Dr. Taylor has focused on creating systems and
partnerships that support both student success and school safety. He has helped
lead districtwide safety initiatives, crisis response planning, policy development, and
professional learning opportunities for school leaders. His work emphasizes proactive
communication, shared responsibility, and strong collaboration among educators, law
enforcement, students, and families.

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

The post Stronger Together: Creating a Culture of Safety Through Partnership – Elementary appeared first on WRESA.

View my Transcripts/Certificates

The post WRESA Educator Help Videos appeared first on WRESA.

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, send an email to registrations@wresa.org or call 828-774-5681 

New User:

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, scroll back down and fill out the information under Returning User, and click “Submit”.

The post Substitute Teaching 101: Online User Registration appeared first on WRESA.

Description:
This session focuses on strengthening classroom discourse through purposeful
planning and facilitation using the 5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive
Mathematical Discussions and the Launch–Explore–Discuss framework. Participants
will explore how to anticipate student thinking, monitor and select student work,
and sequence and connect ideas to build deep mathematical understanding. Through
hands-on tasks and reflection, educators will learn strategies to create inclusive,
student-centered discussions that elevate reasoning, promote equity of voice, and
make thinking visible. By the end of the session, teachers will leave with practical
tools to support meaningful discourse that advances both engagement and conceptual
understanding.

Presenter:
Meredith Stanley is a K–8 math specialist who partners with schools and districts
across North Carolina to provide student-centered professional learning. A former
elementary classroom teacher and instructional coach in Buncombe County, Meredith is
a two-time finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and
Science Teaching, a Buncombe County Teacher of the Year, a Buncombe County
Math Teacher of the Year, and a National Board–certified educator. She earned her
Master of Mathematics Teaching from Mount Holyoke College, where she also serves
as an instructor.
Meredith’s passion is helping students and teachers see themselves as confident,
capable mathematicians—a mission that drives all of her professional work. Learn more
and explore her recommended instructional resources at meredith4math.com.

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

The post Facilitating Meaningful Math Discourse appeared first on WRESA.

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

The post Managing Big Emotions: Strategies for Academic Focus (Grades 4-7) appeared first on WRESA.

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.

ADMINISTRATORS MUST ALSO JOIN THEIR TEACHER TEAMS ON October 6th from 2:30 until 3:30 for collaborative planning. 

Administrators without a team may sign up for this session to learn about this co-teaching model.

Presenter:  

Paige Bode has been an educator for 27 years and currently works as an IDEA Math Consultant for the Office of Exceptional Children at NC DPI where she serves the  Western and Northwestern regions.

Teri Queen has been an educator for 27 years as well and currently works as an IDEA Literacy Consultant for the Office of Exceptional Children at NC DPI where she serves the Western and Northwestern regions.    

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

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

REGISTER

The post Co-Teaching: Calling All Administrators appeared first on WRESA.

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. The teams meet with their administrators the last hour of the day to collaborate.

The administrators who attend must have also attended Co-Teaching: Calling All Administrators on Oct. 5.

Presenter:  

Paige Bode has been an educator for 27 years and currently works as an IDEA Math Consultant for the Office of Exceptional Children at NC DPI where she serves the  Western and Northwestern regions.

Teri Queen has been an educator for 27 years as well and currently works as an IDEA Literacy Consultant for the Office of Exceptional Children at NC DPI where she serves the  Western and Northwestern regions.    

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

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

REGISTER

The post Co-Teaching for Teachers: Going Beyond the Basics appeared first on WRESA.