Training sessions offered
Foundations of Engagement – Sarah Cline
- Foundations of Engagement is a set of modules developed through a cross-campus collaboration which provides an opportunity to explore essential questions related to community engagement. In this introductory session, we address topics of identity and positionality, power and partnerships, and root cause analysis. This training is offered through the Duke Office of Civic Engagement, part of the Duke Office of Durham and Community Affairs.
Emergent Literacy and Relationship Building – Jahara Davis
The primary focus of this class is on creating a dynamic learning environment where positive relationships with students take center stage. My approach involves fostering openness, trust, and honesty, laying the foundation for a supportive and engaging educational experience. While literacy skills will certainly be a part of the curriculum, I firmly believe that the growth of each student is intricately tied to the quality of the relationships we build.
The class will also integrate social and emotional skills seamlessly into the lessons. I believe in a holistic approach to education, recognizing that a stable blend of academic and emotional intelligence contributes significantly to a student’s overall development.
Middle School Math – Michelle Norwood
Middle School Development – Michelle Norwood
English Language Learners – Alaina Burr
- This session will focus on creating welcoming spaces for English language learners, best practices for language learning, and how students demonstrate language mastery in listening, speaking, reading, and writing to achieve academic success.
Using Math Modules K-2 and 3-5 – Jenny Keegan
- In this session you will learn strategies to support your students to not only find success with their math but to feel confident too! You will leave with some practical hands-on games and strategies to help any of your mathematicians!
Racial Equity – Keaundra Robinson
- This session will focus on providing students with an overview of the importance of understanding and advancing equitable educational experiences for students from historically marginalized groups. This learning opportunity will be facilitated through an engaging look at data and an exploration of our own positionality, discussing the potential impact on students.
Our trainers
Sarah Cline
Sarah Cline is the Senior Program Coordinator for Campus Engagement at the Duke Office of Durham and Community Affairs
Jahara Davis
Jahara Davis is a dedicated educator and proud mother of two. She holds an undergraduate degree in English Literature from North Carolina Central University and began her teaching career in 2014 at E.E. Smith High School. Jahara later moved to West Charlotte High School, where she earned Teacher of the Year honors and was named the PROJECT L.I.F.T. Learning Community Teacher of the Year for 2017-2018.
In addition to her teaching excellence, Jahara made headlines by buying out a movie theater for a private screening of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever for her students. Her numerous accolades include being named the 2023-2024 Durham Public Schools Teacher of the Year, a 2023 40 Under 40 recipient from North Carolina Central University, and WRAL/NC Lottery Teacher of the Week to name a few.
Currently, she is a Principal Intern at Lakewood Elementary School in pursuit of receiving her Masters in School Administration at North Carolina Central University.
Michelle Norwood
Student U Program Director and Restorative Practices Lead
Alaina Burr
Alaina Burr is the Assistant Principal of the Southern School of Energy and Sustainability. She is a NC native with 17 years’ experience in education. During her fourteen years as an ESL teacher, she provided instruction in all core content areas before becoming a Teaching and Learning Coach to support in-person and virtual instruction. Read more about Alaina here.
Jenny Keegan
Jenny Keegan is a current K-5 Math Coach for Durham Public Schools. She specializes in equipping teachers with the knowledge and resources to implement engaging math lessons for all students.
Keaundra Robinson
Keaundra Robinson serves as the Equity Leadership and Strategy Coordinator for Durham Public Schools.
In this role, she collaborates with school communities to ensure learning environments are equitable for all stakeholders. Her work includes designing and implementing equity-driven professional development for teachers and leaders, as well as facilitating department-specific professional development at all levels in Durham Public Schools. She directly supports teachers leadership by guiding DPS Equity Champions through professional development and best practices to implement at their respective schools. She is a 2019 DPS Teacher of the Year semi-finalist who anchored equity in every learning opportunity as a middle school English Language Arts teacher. She is passionate about engaging in equity work for all students, especially those farthest from justice.
