Description:
In this interactive one-day learning experience, educators will explore how to use student
thinking to identify instructional priorities, make key mathematical ideas explicit through
purposeful representations and mathematical language, and design intervention experiences
that include routines, contextual problems, and meaningful practice or games.
Together, we will consider how intervention can go beyond “more practice” to offer students
intentional access to important mathematical ideas. Participants will engage in examples and
plan instructional experiences that connect conceptual understanding, problem solving, fluency,
and communication.

Presenter: 
Meredith Stanley is an independent math coach and specialist for K-8. A former
elementary classroom teacher and instructional coach for Buncombe County, she is a
two-time finalist for the Presidential Award for Math and Science, a Buncombe County
Teacher of the Year, a Buncombe County Math Teacher of the Year, and a National
Board certified teacher. She received her Master’s in Mathematics Teaching from Mount
Holyoke College and currently lives in Asheville with her husband and two children. She
loves to run, hike, and gather random assortments of objects for counting collections.
You can find her (and a bank of her recommended instructional resources) at
www.meredith4math.com and @meredith4math.

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.

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Description:

Discover how to use student voice and choice to strengthen learning and extend a lesson’s impact beyond the classroom. Whether you teach art, science, ELA, history, or any other subject, students must communicate information. Students also must interpret a variety of data and information that is communicated in visual formats. This session will use a variety of resources (digital to analog) to highlight this skill. Join us to incorporate some amazing tools into your lessons and explore more ways for you and your students to express yourself. (This session highlights the SEP: Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information and the Communication Skill in NC Portrait of a Graduate.- best suited for teachers of grades 3-12, any subject).

For more information about the class, contact Michelle Taylor at michelle@openwaylearning.org and/or 828-206-3014

For questions/issues about registering for the course, send an email to registrations@wresa.org or call WRESA at 828-774-5681

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

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The post From Open Way Learning: Using Storytelling in Your Classroom appeared first on WRESA.

Description:

Early in the school year is the right time to establish strong co- teaching behaviors. Provide your co-teaching staff with a live, team-by-team, professional development, designed to help them reflect, recalibrate, and strengthen their collaborative practice.

Teams Receive:

• A Window into Co-Teaching- An introduction to 20 behaviors that contribute to successful co- teaching.
• A detailed analysis of their co-teaching relationship (based on a brief, confidential, 5 – 10 – minute survey).
• Your PlayBook for Co-Teaching- a digital resource with over 100 field-tested coteaching strategies.
• A 35–45-minute private consultation, via Zoom, with Rick Welsh, Director of CoTeach America, to discuss their data and to learn how to use Your PlayBook for Co-Teaching to enhance their co-teaching practices throughout the year.

Presenter: Rick Welsh has over 40 years of experience working with teachers and students. He is currently the Director of Co-Teach America. Following Graduate School at UNC in 1980 he served as a Public School Speech/Language Pathologist. Since 1994 he has worked in the field, consulting with teachers to support their co-teaching efforts.

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. 

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The post Get Your Co-Teaching Year Off on the Right Foot! appeared first on WRESA.

Description:

Join us for a day of digging into phenomena. Co-design lessons with tons of resources. Learn how to best incorporate phenomena into lessons, and how to expand phenomena into student driven instruction. You will have time to plan a phenomena based lesson and explore community connections to make your standards relevant and real to your students! This session is most appropriate for grades 3-12 science teachers.

For more information about the class, contact Michelle Taylor at michelle@openwaylearning.org and/or 828-206-3014

For questions/issues about registering for the course, send an email to registrations@wresa.org or call WRESA at 828-774-5681

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The post From Open Way Learning: Phenomenal Use of Phenomena – Mar 2027 appeared first on WRESA.

Description:
School leaders wear many hats—coach, communicator, problem-solver, and
supporter—often while carrying the emotional weight of an entire school community.
This engaging, research-based session explores how the neuroscience of stress,
resilience, and emotional regulation influences leadership, school culture, and teacher
well-being. Participants will discover practical, brain-based strategies to improve
decision-making, establish healthy boundaries, create sustainable work-life balance,
prioritize personal wellness, and model healthy leadership. Through simple, realistic
practices, including movement, breathing, nutrition, purposeful routines, and intentional
self-care, leaders will leave equipped to strengthen their own well-being while creating a
ripple effect that empowers teachers, supports students, and fosters a thriving school
community.

Presenters:
Casey Kruk is a 21-year veteran educator whose career spans roles as a teacher, coach,
athletic director, high school assistant principal, and–most recently–6 years as a middle school
principal. Anchored by the belief that school administrators must be led by a desire to be
instructional leaders, he has guided his middle school to consistent growth over the last 6

years–including its first-ever Exceeds Growth designation in 2022–while navigating the
challenges of COVID-19, two major floods, and all the other things the world has thrown at us.
As a cancer survivor, he pairs this deep commitment to educational excellence with hard-earned
personal perspective, advocating for educator stress management, long-term well-being, and
meaningful human connection.

Dr. Natalie Boone is an educator, coach, and wellness advocate with more than 20
years of experience helping students and educators recognize their strengths, improve
their well-being, and create meaningful change. She currently serves as an Associate
Professor of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at Mars Hill University, where she
teaches health, human performance, kinesiology, and physical education. In addition to
teaching, she serves as an academic advisor, internship coordinator, Physical
Education Teacher Education coordinator, and growth coach for student-athletes. She
holds two doctorates: one in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University and
one in Kinesiology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, as well as two
master’s degrees and numerous certifications.
Boone’s work is grounded in the belief that effective teaching and leadership begin with
understanding the whole person. Her professional interests include the neuroscience of
learning, educator wellness, stress and emotional regulation, movement-based learning,
student engagement, and the connection between physical, mental, emotional, and
relational health. She is passionate about translating research into practical strategies
that educators and school leaders can realistically use in their daily lives and
professional practice.
Beyond the university classroom, Boone leads professional development workshops for
educators across the state, coaches CrossFit, and provides movement and wellness
opportunities in her community. Her engaging and authentic presentation style
combines research, practical application, reflection, movement, and humor. Whether
working with students, teachers, athletes, or school leaders, Boone’s goal is to help
people feel seen, supported, and equipped to lead and live well.

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.

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The post Lead Well, Teach Well: The Neuroscience of Administrator Wellness and School Culture appeared first on WRESA.

Description:

High-leverage practices (HLPs) are instructional approaches educators in
K–12 settings can use to teach a wide range of learners and content. The 22
research-based practices are organized into four essential aspects of teachers’
work: collaboration, assessment, social/emotional/behavioral practices, and instruction.
Together, they provide a shared framework and common language to support students
with disabilities and those who benefit from additional instructional support.

This two-day professional development workshop introduces participants to selected
HLPs that can be used across grade levels and content areas. Participants will examine
how these practices connect to daily instruction, classroom routines, student
engagement, behavior support, and planning for generalization of learning.

In this 2-day professional development, participants will be introduced to the HLPs and
address the following content.

“WHAT TO TEACH” Pillar HLP 7: Learning environments

● HLP 9: Teach Social Behaviors
● HLP 14: Teach cognitive and meta cognitive strategies
● HLP 21 Teach students to maintain and generalize new learning.

“HOW TO TEACH” Pillar HLP 16 Explicit Instruction
● HLP 18: Active Student Engagement
● HLP 15: Scaffolded Instruction
● HLP 13: Adapt Curriculum Tasks & Materials
● HLP 19: Use Assistive and Instructional Technologies
● HLP 17: Use Flexible Grouping
● HLPs 8/22: Provide Positive & Constructive Feedback

Presenter: 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.

For more information, contact April at aspencer@wresa.org, or 828.774. 5681 ext 103

REGISTER

The post High Leverage Practices for All: 2-day PD appeared first on WRESA.

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.

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

View my Transcripts/Certificates

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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 

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Returning User:

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