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

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12:30pm CDT

Elevate Student Agency Through Video

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

How can students see themselves and each other as powerful thinkers and learners? By utilizing video in the classroom, students can be empowered to share their thinking, build on prior experiences, and showcase that understanding to others. In this session, we’ll explore using video in our role as an educator, and how to model and create opportunities for students to integrate video into their learning. We’ll look at best practices and the best
compliant tools for creating video and opportunities for sharing video to authentic, global audiences.

Speakers

Beth Rihtar

Instructional Technology Coordinator, CCSD 15 Palatine

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

Beginner, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Company Culturally Responsive Instruction, Equitable Digital Access, Students as Creators

12:30pm CDT

Evidence-Based Strategies for Teaching Online Information Evaluation

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

Sheraton Wisconsin 6

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 Research reveals that traditional approaches to teaching evaluation often rely on outdated methods that can mislead students.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

I'm a Librarian! Now What?

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

BCC Collaborate B

You’ve got the passion, you’ve got the drive, and now you’ve got the job! So… what now? You’re probably the only librarian in your school - maybe the only librarian in your district.

Becoming a new school librarian can be overwhelming. You may have read about Amanda Jones fighting censorship or watched Mychal Threets spread library joy on TikTok, but you're still just getting your feet under you — while you’re also being asked to cover lunch duty, teach typing, and oh, your space will be used for a staff meeting so all your furniture will be rearranged and not put back — is that okay?

Kristin Rosenberg has been the new librarian in five different school and public libraries and wants to share some actionable tips and tricks you can take back to your library. In this practical presentation, we’ll discuss things like boundaries, goal setting, and how to manage your never-ending to-do list.

Speakers

Kristin Rosenberg

IMC Consultant, CESA 10

Kristin Rosenberg is a lot like a pleasant cat you might see around the neighborhood - a little skittish and easily overwhelmed, but likes people once she has time to warm up to them. Also, she'll go just about anywhere if there's going to be food.Originally from Ohio, she has over... Read More →

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

Beginner, Early childhood, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Company Library Space, New Librarian

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

12:30pm CDT

Open Books, Open Minds, Open Hearts: School Librarians' Perceptions of Inclusive Children's Literature

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

Hilton Garden Room A

In December 2023/January 2024, I researched Wisconsin school librarians' perceptions of inclusive children's literature by adapting existing validated surveys from School Library Journal. My goal was to learn school librarians’ perceptions of inclusive literature and investigate alignment among school district collection development policies, school librarians’ professional book selection philosophies, and the Multidimensional Framework for Inclusive Literature (MFIL) (Pfundheller & Liesch, 2023). Join this session to learn results and recommendations for our field.

Speakers

Jacqueline Liesch

Dr. Jacqueline D. Liesch has taught students from ages 3 to 18-years old in Wisconsin, Ecuador, South Carolina, and Japan. Teaching students from around the world has enabled me to learn from their perspectives and experiences. Furthermore, by living, studying, volunteering, teaching... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Hilton Garden Room A

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

Company Advocacy, Culturally Responsive Instruction

12:30pm CDT

PD from A to Z-Using Choice Boards for Professional Development

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

Hilton Garden Room B

Just like choice boards allow students to work at their own pace and drive their own learning, teachers can also reap the benefits through doing their own professional development in a similar manner. Choice Boards in Professional development boost teacher engagement and incentivize trying new things and broadening the classroom experience. By giving professional staff choice they can choose PD in areas that they see fit to aid in their professional life and the classroom. In the three years since implementation we have seen an average of 46% of professional staff choose to participate, earning an average of 13 squares a year.

Speakers

Amber Houslet

Pardeeville Area School District

Amber Houslet has been the Library Technology Specialist for the Pardeeville Area School District since 2010. She spent the first 6 years of her teaching life in the classroom before transitioning to her current role.She is a Google Certified teacher and has participated in many Technology... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Hilton Garden Room B

Beginner, Early childhood, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Company Collaborative Leadership, Facilitating Professional Learning

12:30pm CDT

Tech-nically Speaking: The ABCs of Merging IT Literacy with Elementary Essentials

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

Sheraton Wisconsin 4

"Tech-nically Speaking: The ABCs of Merging IT Literacy with Elementary Essentials" will explore the integration of IT literacy into elementary education by leveraging interdisciplinary teaching methods. Attendees will learn to align information technology standards with core subjects like math, science, and arts using innovative cross-walking techniques. The session includes hands-on demonstrations of creating crosswalks with AI tools, detailed examples of integrating standards, and strategies for addressing challenges. Participants will leave with actionable templates for prompts, lesson plans, and assessments, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and personalized learning. The focus will be on showcasing multiple tools and strategies for effective curriculum enhancement.

Speakers

Amanda Albrecht

Digital Learning Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Amanda is an instructional technology professional with 20+ years in the field of education. She spent the first part of her career as a classroom teacher in the Appleton Area School District. Following that, Amanda worked as an Instructional Technology Coach with the Neenah Joint... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 4

Beginner, Elementary

Company Equitable Digital Access, Instructional Partnerships, interdisciplinary teaching

12:30pm CDT

The Perfect Board and Card Games to Use in Your Library, Classroom, Makerspace, and More!

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

Sheraton Wisconsin 7

We are living in the renaissance of amazing board, card, and digital games, especially for educational and skill development possibilities. In this session, we will explore games that are not only fun to play, but also build crucial skills such as persuasive speaking, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Best of all, we'll explore games that spur meaningful conversations about topics such as digital literacy, storytelling, and course content too! If you want a great collection of game ideas to utilize as well as some ready-made lessons to go along with them, join us!

Speakers

Jon Spike

CEO, GamestormEDU

Jon Spike began his career as a high school English teacher, then served as a Technology Integration Specialist in K-12 schools. He currently serves as a Coordinator of Instructional Technology & Integration Services at UW-Whitewater and the Chief Executive & Creative Officer of GamestormEDU... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 7

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

Company Budget & Resources, Makerspace, Students as Creators

12:30pm CDT

Universal Design for Learning 101 for Administrators

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

Sheraton Wisconsin 3

Instructional leaders support learning for all students. Do you lead in a school or district with diverse students? Do you wonder how all teachers can better reach students with such a wide range of learning needs? Are you looking to “level up” your own instructional knowledge? Join this session if you want to explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL). UDL centers on reaching students through multiple means so that they can tap into their unique learning strengths. ELs, students with disabilities, and all learners can benefit from varied approaches to learning. UDL can be applied in all grade levels, in all content areas, and by staff with varied experience levels. Attendees will learn the basics about UDL during the first part of the session. During the second half participants will dialogue and plan for how to coach staff around UDL principles. If you are an admin looking to get a few new coaching strategies for staff growth and development, consider attending this session.

Speakers

Elizabeth Freeman

Superintendent, Rocket Academy - Cedar Grove Belgium School District

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 3

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

Company Collaborative Leadership, Instructional Partnerships

1:45pm CDT

Digital Hygine - Educating Teachers, Students, and Famlies

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

BCC Collaborate A

Amidst Covid, child trafficking cases doubled via social media and unsupervised screen time. Gain confidence: learn warning signs, safeguard yourself, students, and staff. Master Data Privacy for personal and school use. Workshop covers vital areas: Human and Sex Trafficking red flags, App Permissions, Visual Privacy, and Social Engineering.

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 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
BCC Collaborate A

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

Company Advocacy, Community Partnerships, Data & Privacy

1:45pm CDT

Generative AI Share Out for Busy Administrators

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

Sheraton Wisconsin 3

Administrator's calendars fill up quickly with parent meetings, observations, team meetings, and unexpected responsibilities. Do you need some dedicated time to collaborate with other admins on the topic of generative artificial intelligence? This collaborative session will help us crowdsource the best ideas in Wisconsin from one another. The session will begin by narrowing in on 2-4 topics to focus on so that the interests of the group are addressed. Then participants will engage in a protocol to share their Generative AI successes and struggles. Topics may include policy; administrative procedures; how to support staff learning; appropriate use of AI student product continuums; efficiency strategies for administrative tasks; favorite Gen AI tools; or other topics that interest the group.

Speakers

Elizabeth Freeman

Superintendent, Rocket Academy - Cedar Grove Belgium School District

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 3

Beginner, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Company Collaborative Leadership, Collaborative Spaces, Facilitating Professional Learning

1:45pm CDT

Grow a Garden of Resources: Differentiating with AI

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

BCC Collaborate C

Are you a teacher who needs to help students at different reading levels or those learning a new language? This session is for you! Come and learn how generative AI can help make learning materials easier for all your students. Just like how a gardener makes sure every plant gets the care it needs, you will discover tools that can change lessons, activities, and information into different forms, making sure each student gets what they need to learn and grow.

Speakers

Sarah Wendorf

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
BCC Collaborate C

Beginner, Elementary, Middle School

Company Differentiation with AI

1:45pm CDT

IGNITE Your Career with AASL!

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

Hilton Garden Room A

IGNITE your school library career with the American Association of School Librarians! Take your career to the next level by networking with professionals in your field nationally and accessing resources to inform and expand your practice. Apply national teaching and program standards to your instruction and lean on the professionalism of the only national professional membership organization focused on school librarians and the school library community. Participants will understand what the AASL is and offers. Explore member benefits. Learn how to become a member.

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 →

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Hilton Garden Room A

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

Company Advocacy, Collaborative Leadership, Facilitating Professional Learning

1:45pm CDT

Lights, Camera, Action: Engaging Students in Wisconsin History

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

Sheraton Wisconsin 2

Learn about how the librarian and teachers collaborated in Edgar School District to get students excited about learning about Wisconsin history. Students researched, wrote about, and produciedshort videos about historic figures like Curly Lambeau, Cyrus McCormick, and Laura Ingalls Wilder using FactCite’s biography databases (and other resources). Going beyond the living wax museum concept and using a green screen, students researched a notable figure and using a green screen recording “studio”, recorded a video dressed as an historic figure. Recording were shared with parents and others in the school community Participants in this session will receive a guide to notable Wisconsinites profiled at the appropriate reading level in Factcite and ideas to implement it.

Speakers

Erin Traub

Jone Davis

Librarian, Northland Pines School District

I am the district librarian for the Northland Pines School District and I run the districts 4 libraries. I have been in education for 23 years with 13 of those in the library. I love to spend my free time reading, crafting, or getting outside and enjoying the Northwoods.

Susan Gall

Vice President, FactCite (ILincoln Library Press, Inc.)

FactCite is an award-winning collection of databases. FactCite is passionate about helping ALL students succeed! FactCite is used by thousands of students for research and browsing!FactCite has content to support ALL Massachusetts researchers.Request a no-obligation FactCite trial... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 2

Beginner, Elementary

Company Instructional Partnerships

1:45pm CDT

Teaching Culturally With the Four I's (Inform, Include, Integrate, and Infuse) - Indigenous Studies

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

Sheraton Wisconsin 1

This session will help participants understand how to incorporate Indigenous Studies into their teaching and learning. Many educators have been taught to teach about cultures; however, students will be better engaged and retain more information when educators teach culturally. In this session, not only will resources and materials about the American Indian nations' histories, treaty rights, sovereignty and cultures be shared, but participants will also be given ideas, examples, and direction regarding teaching culturally. The four I’s mark the stages of an educator’s journey to incorporate Indigenous Studies into their work: inform, include, integrate, and infuse. When considering each of the I’s, all stages are important in the process. It takes time, growth, and understanding to develop a curriculum that supports multiple narratives and perspectives of First Nations Studies into lesson plans, pedagogical practices, material selections and district curriculum. The expected outcome of the session will be that as educators incorporate teaching culturally into their teaching, their students' achievement will increase and improve.

Speakers

David J. O'Connor

American Indian Studies Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

David J. O'Connor is originally from and is a citizen of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa ( Anishinaabe or Ojibwe) in northern Wisconsin. In January 2012, he became the American Indian Studies Consultant at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). In Da... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 1

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

Company Culturally Responsive Instruction

1:45pm CDT

VR (Virtual Reality) to Boldly Go Where You May Not Have Gone Before: Creating Learning Experiences to Ignite and Inspire Learning Together in the Library and Beyond.

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

Sheraton Wisconsin 4

Students' excitement while wearing the goggles “brings down the house”. Their voices of joy, “saying look at this”are contagious during these immersive experiences. Their oohs and ahhs tell me life is good. Learners run to show their classroom teacher showing them what they are seeing. The sheer volume has brought administrators into the LMC to see what’s going on. Come discover how virtual reality (VR) can ignite a passion for learning and inspire your students by:
Participate in a hands-on Virtual Reality field trip to space and beyond
Steps for preparing students for virtual reality experiences.
What The Robot LAB Standard VR Kit is and how easy it is to use
Exploring what VR field trips are already available
How to use a Ricoh 360-Degree Camera for making the Images to create your own VR tours
Experience some of the VR experiences successfully done with students
Brainstorming VR ideas to inspire creating VR experiences impacting learning together

Speakers

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 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 4

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

Company Collaborative Leadership, Makerspace, Students as Creators

3:00pm CDT

Developing your PLC Roundtable

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

Hilton Garden Room B

Professional Learning Communities are rarely one-size-fits-all, nor should they be! Join me for a dynamic, interactive roundtable discussion designed to help you build and sustain a vibrant, effective Professional Learning Community. Let’s talk about what has worked for you, what challenges you're still navigating, and how you're staying connected with others who are in the same boat. Together, we’ll explore strategies for staying current, maintaining engagement, and supporting one another in our shared work.

Speakers

Amber Houslet

Pardeeville Area School District

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

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

Company Collaborative Leadership, Facilitating Professional Learning, Instructional Partnerships

3:00pm CDT

Leadership Lessons I Wish I'd Learned in the Library

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

BCC Collaborate C

The school librarian should take a leadership role in their school, but many of the required leadership skills have to be learned the hard way through trial, error, and time. The presenter will share the interpersonal and intrapersonal lessons learned as a district leader--and why they are useful in a school library position. Don't wait until you've moved into a leadership role before grabbing these adaptive skills and perspectives! Join us to share your own helpful lessons learned with other attendees as well.

Speakers

Maegan Heindel

Library Services Coordinator, Madison Metropolitan School District

Maegan Heindel is a school librarian, teacher, author, and Library Services Coordinator in Madison Metropolitan School District in Madison, WI. In her 19 years as an educator, she has been an ALA Emerging Leader, Wisconsin Learning4Life Coordinator, AASL Affiliate Assembly member... Read More →

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

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

Company Collaborative Leadership

3:00pm CDT

Megatrends, Accelerators, and Hurdles: The Future of Learning

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

Sheraton Wisconsin 3

Designed for administrators and tech leaders, this session will focus on learning trends and predictions for the future. Are you stuck in the daily grind of completing tasks and attempting to cross things off of your endless “to do” list? Do you feel exhausted trying to put out fires and solve problems that others bring to you? Attend this session if you want to step away from the minutiae for a moment to focus on the biggest, global concepts for the future of learning. Explore megatrends that will influence the global community (and our staff and students) for the coming years. Discover common accelerators that can push your strategic, “big picture” work forward. Plan for common hurdles that are bound to get in the way. This session will provide an overview of megatrends, accelerators, and hurdles in order to spark thinking and to re-energize attendees. Participants will have time to share with each other so that we can elevate the success of all students.

Speakers

Elizabeth Freeman

Superintendent, Rocket Academy - Cedar Grove Belgium School District

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

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

Company Advocacy, Collaborative Leadership

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

Screencastify Submit: A Replacement for Flip

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

Sheraton Wisconsin 2

Screencastify Submit is an online tool where teachers can set up a class and have students create short videos and screencasts. This is a COPPA approved tool so students under 13 can use it. It is one option my school is using as a replacement for Flip.

Speakers

Sarah Wendorf

Sunday March 9, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 2

Beginner, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Company Students as Creators