When Polk Central Elementary teachers learned that nationally recognized behavior specialist Amie Dean would be leading a workshop at Western Carolina University, they jumped at the opportunity to learn from the “Behavior Queen” herself.
Teachers from Polk Central traveled to WCU to attend the WRESA workshop titled “Behavior Interventions That Work.” The professional development session provided practical, concrete tools teachers could bring back to their classrooms.
WRESA, the Western Region Education Service Alliance, is a nonprofit organization that provides professional development workshops and conferences to school districts in Western North Carolina. The organization’s goal is to empower teachers through shared learning experiences that improve teaching and learning outcomes.
Polk Central educators were introduced to Dean’s work last year through literature and virtual trainings. The in-person workshop allowed them to dive deeper into proactive classroom management tools, strategies for addressing and correcting challenges as they arise, and self-reflection practices to strengthen their teaching.
Third-grade teacher Ansley Lynch described the training as refreshing. “She gave us tools to implement in our classrooms when what we’ve tried just isn’t working, and to hear that I’m not alone was refreshing,” Lynch said.
Second-grade teacher Kelleigh Powell expressed excitement about implementing what she learned.
“I’m excited to take these strategies back to school, host the Reboot meeting with my students and watch my classroom transform,” Powell said.
Teachers in attendance included Haley Turner and Amber Styles from kindergarten, Rachel Culbreth and Stacey Stafford from second grade, Ansley Lynch from third grade and Francesca Womick from fourth grade.
The professional development day provided Polk Central educators with opportunities for reflection, growth and learning strategies to create positive, responsive learning environments through evidence-based behavior interventions.
Pictured at top are, from left: Second grade teacher Stacey Stafford, second grade teacher Kelleigh Powell, fourth grade teacher Francesca Womick, Amie Dean, kindergarten teacher Amber Styles, second grade teacher Rachel Culbreth, kindergarten Teacher Haley Turner and third grade teacher Ansley Lynch.
