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

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8:45am CDT

Navigating BIPOC Librarianship

Monday March 10, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am CDT

We would like to facilitate a conversation on the experiences of people of color in the predominantly white world of library school and libraries. We will share common pitfalls that deter poc from continuing in librarianship. Based on our shared experiences, we will create a list together of ways that non-poc and other poc can support and encourage the growth and diversification of the profession, and those already within it.

Speakers

Joy Zander

Dolores Brown

Preschool & Lower School Library, University School of Milwaukee

Ivana Renteria

Middle School Librarian, University School of Milwaukee

My name is Ivana Renteria. I am the middle school librarian as well as the Department Chair of Libraries at the University School of Milwaukee. I am the 2023 winner of the Charles F. Wright Technology and Innovation Award, which is granted to faculty members who enhance their teaching... Read More →

Monday March 10, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 1

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

Company Collaborative Leadership, Collaborative Spaces, Culturally Responsive Instruction

1:00pm CDT

Brave Libraries

Monday March 10, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

BCC Collaborate C

Many of us believe our libraries are “safe” or perhaps “brave” spaces. But how do we make these spaces safe? Who feels safest? Are ground rules at odds with free speech? What happens when someone causes harm with their words or actions? Do safe spaces even exist?

Sarah Beth shares her research on brave spaces along with lessons learned from open mic shows and storytelling workshops. We will plan strategies for creating and holding brave library spaces such as: including participants in creating rules of engagement, setting participant expectations around being brave, articulating consequences of transgression, and following through on consequences. There isn’t one “right” way to create a brave space so workshop participants will use this time to consider which brave space practices will work best with their libraries.

Speakers

Sarah Beth Nelson

Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Sarah Beth Nelson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Information Studies. Before becoming a professor, Sarah Beth worked in public and school libraries. In addition to researching oral information, she studies the American reality (true, personal... Read More →

Monday March 10, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
BCC Collaborate C

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

Company Collaborative Spaces, Culturally Responsive Instruction, Library Space

1:00pm CDT

TechnoTeachers

Monday March 10, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Hilton Garden Room A

Build a teacher technology team by tapping into the talent already present in your school. There's immense potential for growth in developing and leveraging the skills of your current staff. This session will guide you through a step-by-step process to help you unlock that potential and create a strong, collaborative team.

Speakers

Sonja Pupovac

Verizon Innovative Learning Schools Coach, Milwaukee Public Schools

Monday March 10, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Hilton Garden Room A

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

Company Collaborative Leadership, Collaborative Spaces, Facilitating Professional Learning

3:00pm CDT

Augmented Reality in the Library (Attendees receive a free Merge Cube)

Monday March 10, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

Sheraton Wisconsin 4

Merge Edu is a platform that has been around for quite a while and many educators have a Merge Cube (or many) sitting on a shelf, unused. If you don't have one, don't fret, as all attendees of this session (up to 30) will receive a free cube.

Merge has grown to be a well-known augmented reality tool with science-aligned lessons. We love watching educators get excited about Merge--if the educators can get this excited, imagine what your students will think!

We will explore the Merge EDU platform and you'll get a free trial. Some features will be free forever, some are subscription based. No matter your subscription type, you'll leave this session energized and full of ideas.

Please bring an ipad, chromebook, or phone (some sort of technology that will allow you to downlad apps)

Speakers

Sheri Omernik

Educational Consultant, Mackin

Mackin is a long-term education distributor for print, ebooks, and makerspace products and other library and classroom materials for grades PK-12.Known throughout the world over for exemplary service and a stringent attention to detail, we have access to over 18,000 publishers and... Read More →

Monday March 10, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 4

Beginner, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Company Collaborative Spaces, Library Space, Makerspace

3:00pm CDT

Implementing a Teacher-led Elementary STEM Program

Monday March 10, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

Sheraton Wisconsin 1

The School District of Beloit Turner's library and technology departments will share their process for growing their EC- 5th Grade STEM program where teachers are empowered to lead lessons. Aligning our lessons with standards provides students with STEM learning experiences that encourage creativity and exploration. We’ll share how our library media specialist and IT director develop instructional activities that include VR, Legos, Ozobots, Bloxels, WeVideo, Digital Storytelling, Bee-Bot, Sphero, 3D printing, and more. You’ll see how we were able to create and coordinate STEM lessons that teachers of all comfort levels are able to deliver successfully.

Speakers

Liz Langer

Beloit Turner

Mike Sindahl

Director of Technology, Beloit Tuner School District

I am the Director of Technology in Beloit Turner School District . This is my 5th year supporting teachers with integrating technology into their classrooms. Before supporting teachers with integrating technology into their instruction I was a 7-12 business teacher.

Monday March 10, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 1

Intermediate, Early childhood, Elementary

Company Collaborative Spaces, Library Space, Students as Creators