WEMTA 2025 - Ignite and Inspire: Impacting Learning Together: Full Schedule

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12:30pm CDT

Evidence-Based Strategies for Teaching Online Information Evaluation

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

Students need to be able to determine if information they find online is credible and trustworthy. Research reveals that traditional approaches to teaching evaluation often rely on outdated methods that can mislead students. This presentation will explore current trends and research in digital information evaluation, including popular techniques like lateral reading and SIFT. Attendees will learn about free, evidence-backed lessons and classroom resources designed to develop critical thinking and digital literacy.

Speakers

Jodi Pierre

Research & Instruction Librarian, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

I am a Research & Instruction Librarian at UW-Green Bay Libraries. As a member of the technology and digital transformation team, I help manage the library website, LibGuides, and Primo VE discovery service (branded Search@UW).

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 6

Beginner, Elementary, Middle School, High School, Higher Education

Company Facilitating Professional Learning, Literacy

12:30pm CDT

One District‘s Journey Leveraging Library Media Specialist Expertise in Strengthening Diverse Representation in Classroom ELA Instructional Materials

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

Sheraton Wisconsin 2

Many schools are adopting ELA instructional materials recommended for their alignment to standards and/or the science of reading in hopes of improving standardized literacy outcomes. Although these materials include a comprehensive set of text passages touted as complex and diverse, scholars conducting culturally responsive audits for many of these products have found some alarming results about omissions in diverse representation and harmful depictions in numerous text passages. Learn how one Wisconsin district committed to modifying problematic passages in their current ELA materials is leveraging K-12 library media specialists' expertise to assist in selecting affirming, authentic, and accurate replacement and supplementary text passages. Hear from library media specialists and a literacy consultant participating in this district’s ongoing work and consider how you might advocate for school library media specialist involvement in a similar process in your own district.

Speakers

Tanya Arnold

Teacher/Librarian, Sun Prairie ASD - Royal Oaks Elementary

Mindy Grant

Library Media Specialist

I am the Library Media Specialist of Central Heights Middle School in Sun Prairie, WI. I started my career as an English Language Arts teacher for 10 years and now have been living it up in the library for 8. I started my library career at a middle school in Madison Metropolitan School... Read More →

Kim Stieber-White

Curriculum, Coaching & Digital Learning Consultant, CESA 2

Kim facilitates learning relating to literacy, curriculum and instruction, and digital learning, often with a focus on social justice. She also has the privilege of supporting school library media specialists through the CESA 2 LMS Network and in-district coaching for those acquiring... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 2

Beginner, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Company Culturally Responsive Instruction, Instructional Partnerships, Literacy

3:00pm CDT

Pawsitive Impact: Bringing Therapy Dogs to Our School Library

Sunday March 9, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

Sheraton Wisconsin 4

In this session you will learn how having a therapy dog in your library can improve school engagement and help develop a more inclusive, supportive school environment. Attendees will also learn practical steps that can be taken to implement therapy dog programs in their own school libraries. Facing opposition or district hoops and red tape, this presenter will share how she was able to overcome the obstacles to bring her certified therapy dog into her libraries. Information will include organizations to contact to find volunteer therapy dog teams willing to visit, process to get your own dog certified, where to purchase liability insurance, research to support having a therapy dog in the library, management ideas, and much, much, more!

Speakers

Jennifer Georgia

Library Media Specialist, GBAPS

Hello! I’m Jennifer Georgia. I have been a librarian for the past 15 years in the Green Bay Area Public School district. Prior to that I taught in Green Bay for 14 years. I currently am full time at Martin Elementary School in Green Bay. I am married to my husband of 30 years and... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 4

Beginner, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Company Community Partnerships, Literacy

3:00pm CDT

Battle of the Books for All Levels

Sunday March 9, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

Hilton Garden Room A

Battle of the Books is one of the foundational programs run by WEMTA, and a beloved part of students’ reading lives at schools statewide. Ignite a love for reading, challenge your students, and create a school-wide sense of community over the Battle of the Books reading lists every year! Learn about starting a Battle of the Books program at your school or work with other session participants to level-up your current program.This session is for participants with all levels of knowledge about the Battle of the Books program, and participants will leave with an action plan for the 2025-2026 school year.

Speakers

Kate Olson

AASL Affiliate for Wisconsin, WEMTA

Christine O'Regan is a library media teacher consultant for Kenosha Unified School District. She has worked as a school librarian for 20+ years in elementary, high school and district levels. She is also the AASL state affiliate for WEMTA. The best part of her career are the opportunities... Read More →

Jeff Carpenter

School Library Media Specialist, Appleton Area School District

Jeff celebrates 35 years serving the AASD as a library media specialist and is a longtime WEMTA member. He earned a Master’s in Library Science (UW-Madison), and a Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education (UW-La Crosse). One of his proudest achievements was receiving the special... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Hilton Garden Room A

Intermediate, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Company Facilitating Professional Learning, Literacy

3:00pm CDT

Nearpod Unleashed: Engage, Assess, and Save Time

Sunday March 9, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

BCC Boardroom

Nearpod continues to evolve, introducing fresh features that redefine classroom dynamics. Whether you're a Nearpod newbie or a seasoned user, there's always something to discover. This session delves into the latest tools and functionalities Nearpod offers, enabling teachers to elevate engagement, streamline assessment, and optimize lessons like never before. Some of the newest topics

Speakers

Aggie Salter

ITS

Agnieszka Salter (@AggieSalterITS) is an Instructional Technology, PD Specialist, Instructional Coach Leader, and Innovation teacher at QP School in Madison, WI. Aggie is the Digital Promise Global's Coach Community Manager. She is one of the initial curriculum designers and teachers... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
BCC Boardroom

Intermediate, Elementary, Middle School, High School, Higher Education

Company Budget & Resources, Culturally Responsive Instruction, Literacy