D5TOGETHER: Full Schedule

Registration will open in mid-late July. Schedules are subject to change.

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

10:00am EDT

Friday July 31, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

In this high-energy professional development session, teachers will discover how desk drumming with pool noodles can turn everyday classroom spaces into opportunities for engagement, collaboration, and fun. Participants will experience hands-on rhythm activities designed to boost student focus, build classroom community, support social-emotional learning, and provide meaningful movement breaks throughout the day.

Speakers

Liz Smith

Music Teacher, Reidville Elementary

Friday July 31, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
3236

Classroom Management & Behavior

Session Focus Supporting Students
Grade Level Early Elementary (Pre-K - 2), Elementary (3 -5), Middle (6-8)
Subject English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Multilingual Learners, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Special Education
Role Teachers, School Counselors

10:00am EDT

Awareness: Sex Trafficking 101

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

3317

Limited Capacity seats available

Established in 2012 in Greenville County, Switch is a grassroots, non-profit organization fighting sex trafficking in Upstate communities by shining a light on exploitation and offering restoration to survivors. Switch provides five areas of outreach: Awareness, Prevention, Demand, Intervention, and Restoration. Since Switch's inception, 400 individuals have received assistance through intervention and restoration services. Greenville and Spartanburg counties rank in the top 5 counties in South Carolina for sex trafficking and exploitation. This issue cannot be ignored.

Speakers

Theresa Perry

Switch

Friday July 31, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
3317

General Information

Session Focus Trauma Informed Practices
Grade Level High (9-12), Middle (6-8)
Subject CTE, English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Modern Language, Multilingual Learners, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Special Education, STEM
Role Directors, Instructional Coaches, Instructional Technology Coaches, Interventionists, Mental Health Therapists, Nurses, Parent Educators, School Administrators, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Teachers, Teachers Assistants, Support Staff

10:00am EDT

Building Resilience and Connection: Coping Skills, Social-Emotional Learning, and Crisis Communication in the Classroom

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

2247

Limited Capacity seats available

This presentation equips educators, school staff, counselors, and support professionals with practical strategies to strengthen students’ emotional regulation, peer relationships, and communication skills during everyday challenges and crisis situations. Participants will explore classroom-based coping skills that help students manage stress, anxiety, frustration, and emotional dysregulation while promoting resilience and self-awareness.

The session also highlights the role of social-emotional learning (SEL) in fostering positive peer interactions, empathy, conflict resolution, and inclusive classroom culture.
In addition, the presentation focuses on effective communication strategies for crisis intervention, including de-escalation techniques, active listening, trauma-informed responses, and supportive language that promotes safety and emotional stability.

Participants will leave with actionable tools, classroom activities, and intervention strategies designed to support student well-being, strengthen school climate, and improve student outcomes.

Speakers

Mercedes Moye-Nesbitt

Stepping Stones Mental Health Counselor, Spartanburg District 5

My name is Mercedes Moye’-Nesbitt, and I am the Mental Health Counselor from The Stepping Stones Group.

I am a graduate of Capella University with a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I have worked as a therapist, specializing in care for children and adolescents, for more than 5 years.  My approach is rooted in building a strong, trusting relationship with both the children... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
2247

Mental Health & Well-Being

Session Focus Social-Emotional & Mental Health
Grade Level Early Elementary (Pre-K - 2), Elementary (3 -5), High (9-12), Middle (6-8)
Subject CTE, English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Special Education
Role Interventionists, School Administrators, School Counselors, Teachers, Nurses, Bus Drivers

10:00am EDT

School Counselors and teachers working together to support student success

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

3305

Limited Capacity seats available

School counselors support academic achievement, student well-being, family communication, intervention planning, and teacher collaboration through data-informed and student-centered practices.

Speakers

Chelsea Eubanks

School Counselor, Florence Chapel Middle

Friday July 31, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
3305

Mental Health & Well-Being

Session Focus Supporting Students
Grade Level Elementary (3 -5), Middle (6-8)
Subject English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, CTE, Modern Language, Multilingual Learners, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Special Education, STEM
Role Interventionists, School Administrators, School Counselors, Teachers

10:00am EDT

What to do when saying "Calm Down" is not enough?

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

3306

Limited Capacity seats available

Have you ever been in a situation with a student who is truly unregulated and has flipped their lid? You said "Calm Down" or "What do you need?" and they still can't get back to zero. We will talk about and model what to do next before calling for the cavalry. You will learn what to do next using visuals, grounding techniques, and even steps to take before the un-regulation begins. Teachers will walk away with effective research-based strategies to better manage those chaotic moments in the classroom.

Speakers

Nancy Lingle

STARS teacher (Special Education), Berry Shoals Elementary

Friday July 31, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
3306

Special Populations

Session Focus Behavior & Classroom Management
Grade Level Early Elementary (Pre-K - 2), Elementary (3 -5)
Subject Special Education
Role Teachers, Interventionists, School Counselors, Bus Drivers, Nurses, Media Specialists

11:00am EDT

Bang On The Desk All Day

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT

3236

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Liz Smith

Music Teacher, Reidville Elementary

Friday July 31, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
3236

Classroom Management & Behavior

Session Focus Supporting Students
Grade Level Early Elementary (Pre-K - 2), Elementary (3 -5), Middle (6-8)
Subject English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Multilingual Learners, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Special Education
Role Teachers, School Counselors

11:00am EDT

Building Resilience and Connection: Coping Skills, Social-Emotional Learning, and Crisis Communication in the Classroom

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT

2247

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Mercedes Moye-Nesbitt

Stepping Stones Mental Health Counselor, Spartanburg District 5

Friday July 31, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
2247

Mental Health & Well-Being

Session Focus Social-Emotional & Mental Health
Grade Level Early Elementary (Pre-K - 2), Elementary (3 -5), High (9-12), Middle (6-8)
Subject CTE, English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Special Education
Role Interventionists, School Administrators, School Counselors, Teachers, Nurses, Bus Drivers

11:00am EDT

Resources to streamline school counseling and free up more time for students

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT

3305

Limited Capacity seats available

IGP Preparation

Early prep in the fall with the Career Development Facilitator (CDF)
Career folders as a foundation for IGP meetings
Scheduling system:
- Counselor-led scheduling - we schedule the initial meetings based on our calendar
- Flexible rescheduling process
- Reminder calls the day before
Communication systems:
- Mail merge for letters
- Email communication to families
- Principal-supported mass messaging
- Reminder phone calls the day before

Registration

Looking at using a google form with rising 9th grade for electives and paring this with the students’ IGPs.
Class registration as a whole in 7th and 8th or can be teacher led
Worksheets for parents/students to complete
Counselor hand entering vs. Students entering choices
Coding the registration system so that students can only select from designated classes.
Reports in powerschool/ powerscheduler to minimize errors in registration and scheduling
Communication tools between different schools (Override spreadsheet, Google folders with all important information, etc.)

Classroom Support & Lessons
Proactive support through structured classroom engagement:

Introductory lessons in partnership with Career Specialist.
Academic support lessons - usually in the Fall.
- Setting expectations - smart goals, time management and organization
- Teacher collaboration via Google Forms - teachers let us know when/if we can come to their classroom

Speakers

Chelsea Eubanks

School Counselor, Florence Chapel Middle

Friday July 31, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
3305

Teacher Efficiency & Workload

Session Focus Other
Grade Level Early Elementary (Pre-K - 2), Elementary (3 -5), High (9-12), Middle (6-8)
Role School Administrators, School Counselors, Career Development Facilitators

12:00pm EDT

Awareness: Sex Trafficking 101

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm EDT

3317

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Theresa Perry

Switch

Friday July 31, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm EDT
3317

General Information

Session Focus Trauma Informed Practices
Grade Level High (9-12), Middle (6-8)
Subject CTE, English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Modern Language, Multilingual Learners, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Special Education, STEM
Role Directors, Instructional Coaches, Instructional Technology Coaches, Interventionists, Mental Health Therapists, Nurses, Parent Educators, School Administrators, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Teachers, Teachers Assistants, Support Staff

1:00pm EDT

Awareness: Sex Trafficking 101

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT

3317

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Theresa Perry

Switch

Friday July 31, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
3317

General Information

Session Focus Trauma Informed Practices
Grade Level High (9-12), Middle (6-8)
Subject CTE, English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Modern Language, Multilingual Learners, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Special Education, STEM
Role Directors, Instructional Coaches, Instructional Technology Coaches, Interventionists, Mental Health Therapists, Nurses, Parent Educators, School Administrators, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Teachers, Teachers Assistants, Support Staff

1:00pm EDT

D5 Bullying Prevention: What Staff Need to Know

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT

2212

Limited Capacity seats available

This session provides a clear overview of District Five’s approach to bullying prevention, reporting, and response, helping staff develop a shared understanding of expectations across schools. Participants will gain clarity on what constitutes bullying versus peer conflict, what prevention is expected at the school level, and how reporting and documentation processes work in practice. Open to counselors, teachers, and administrators, this session is especially valuable for those new to the district or profession who need a strong foundation in how D5 supports safe and positive school environments.

Speakers

Jeff Jenkins

Director of Federal/Gifted Programs and School Counselors, District Office

Friday July 31, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
2212

General Information

Session Focus Other
Grade Level Early Elementary (Pre-K - 2), Elementary (3 -5), High (9-12), Middle (6-8)
Role School Counselors

1:00pm EDT

"No More Guesswork": Schoology and PowerSchool Made Easy

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT

3236

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will help teachers to set up their Schoology folders for students to match PowerSchool. This simple task will eliminate all of the confusion when parents are at home trying to help their students find missing work. It will also help teachers to create a common language with their students when looking for makeup assignments.

Speakers

Brandie Pearson

6th grade teacher, Florence Chapel Middle

Beverly Foster

6th grade teacher, Abner Creek Middle

Friday July 31, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
3236

Instructional Technology

Session Focus Other
Grade Level Early Elementary (Pre-K - 2), Elementary (3 -5), High (9-12), Middle (6-8)
Subject English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Modern Language, Multilingual Learners, Performing Arts, Science, Social Studies, Special Education, Physical Education, CTE, STEM
Role Instructional Coaches, Interventionists, School Administrators, Teachers, Instructional Technology Coaches, Literacy Coaches, Math Coaches, School Counselors

1:00pm EDT

Resources to streamline school counseling and free up more time for students

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT

3305

Limited Capacity seats available

IGP Preparation

Early prep in the fall with the Career Development Facilitator (CDF)
Career folders as a foundation for IGP meetings
Scheduling system:
- Counselor-led scheduling - we schedule the initial meetings based on our calendar
- Flexible rescheduling process
- Reminder calls the day before
Communication systems:
- Mail merge for letters
- Email communication to families
- Principal-supported mass messaging
- Reminder phone calls the day before

Registration

Looking at using a google form with rising 9th grade for electives and paring this with the students’ IGPs.
Class registration as a whole in 7th and 8th or can be teacher led
Worksheets for parents/students to complete
Counselor hand entering vs. Students entering choices
Coding the registration system so that students can only select from designated classes.
Reports in powerschool/ powerscheduler to minimize errors in registration and scheduling
Communication tools between different schools (Override spreadsheet, Google folders with all important information, etc.)

Classroom Support & Lessons
Proactive support through structured classroom engagement:

Introductory lessons in partnership with Career Specialist.
Academic support lessons - usually in the Fall.
- Setting expectations - smart goals, time management and organization
- Teacher collaboration via Google Forms - teachers let us know when/if we can come to their classroom

Speakers

Chelsea Eubanks

School Counselor, Florence Chapel Middle

Friday July 31, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
3305

Teacher Efficiency & Workload

Session Focus Other
Grade Level Early Elementary (Pre-K - 2), Elementary (3 -5), High (9-12), Middle (6-8)
Role School Administrators, School Counselors, Career Development Facilitators

2:00pm EDT

Awareness: Sex Trafficking 101

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT

3317

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Theresa Perry

Switch

Friday July 31, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
3317

General Information

Session Focus Trauma Informed Practices
Grade Level High (9-12), Middle (6-8)
Subject CTE, English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Modern Language, Multilingual Learners, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Special Education, STEM
Role Directors, Instructional Coaches, Instructional Technology Coaches, Interventionists, Mental Health Therapists, Nurses, Parent Educators, School Administrators, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Teachers, Teachers Assistants, Support Staff

2:00pm EDT

"No More Guesswork": Schoology and PowerSchool Made Easy

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT

3236

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Beverly Foster

6th grade teacher, Abner Creek Middle

Brandie Pearson

6th grade teacher, Florence Chapel Middle

Friday July 31, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
3236

Instructional Technology

Session Focus Other
Grade Level Early Elementary (Pre-K - 2), Elementary (3 -5), High (9-12), Middle (6-8)
Subject English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Modern Language, Multilingual Learners, Performing Arts, Science, Social Studies, Special Education, Physical Education, CTE, STEM
Role Instructional Coaches, Interventionists, School Administrators, Teachers, Instructional Technology Coaches, Literacy Coaches, Math Coaches, School Counselors

2:00pm EDT

Let Grow: Building Student Confidence Through Independence

LIMITED

Friday July 31, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT

2212

Limited Capacity seats available

This session introduces the Let Grow approach and explores how increasing opportunities for student independence can positively impact confidence, resilience, and classroom culture. Participants will consider how small, intentional shifts can create space for students to take ownership, solve problems, and build self-efficacy. Open to counselors, teachers, and administrators, this session is designed for those interested in exploring new ways to support student growth through independence and real-world experiences.

Speakers

Jeff Jenkins

Director of Federal/Gifted Programs and School Counselors, District Office

Friday July 31, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
2212

Student Engagement & Motivation

Session Focus Supporting Students
Grade Level Early Elementary (Pre-K - 2), Elementary (3 -5), Middle (6-8)
Subject CTE, English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Modern Language, Multilingual Learners, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Special Education, STEM
Role School Counselors, School Administrators, Teachers

10:00am EDT

10:00am EDT

10:00am EDT

10:00am EDT

10:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

12:00pm EDT

1:00pm EDT

1:00pm EDT

1:00pm EDT

1:00pm EDT

2:00pm EDT

2:00pm EDT

2:00pm EDT

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