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.
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.
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.
Evaluating the information they encounter online is an increasingly crucial skill for students. In this session, we will give examples of lessons educators can use to foster critical thinking skills and teach students how to be savvy consumers of online information. Participants will learn skills like fact-checking, lateral reading, identifying misinformation, and how to find reliable sources. In this hands-on session, participants will try out fact-checking strategies that they can later implement in class. Participants will come away with concrete strategies for facilitating the analysis of online media and learn about PBS Wisconsin’s free Media Literacy PD opportunities.
Come learn some templates and activity ideas that are ready to go with minimal set up that can be used in the library and shared with all staff. See what I love to use and leave with inspiration galore!
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 →
In this session, discover how a collaborative partnership between the Title I Reading Specialist and the Library Media Specialist can create impactful family engagement events that support literacy development and strengthen school-community connections. We’ll explore strategies for designing and hosting events that involve families in their children's learning, foster a love of reading, and provide valuable resources for parents. Attendees will leave with practical ideas to implement family-focused literacy events in their own schools. Whether you’re looking to enhance your existing programs or start from scratch, this session will provide the tools and inspiration you need to create memorable, effective family outreach events.
I genrefied my non-fiction section, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made for my libraries. Session attendants will learn about my process throughout, how I display it, and maintain it. We will also talk about reactions pre and post genrefication.
Library Media Technology Integrator, Menomonie School District
Embrace weirdness! I love animals! Well, not bugs and insects, or reptiles, but pretty much any mammal. So I guess I should have said, "I love mammals!"My time is divided between reading for myself and reading for students. I'm one of those weird people who read multiple books... Read More →
Have you seen a decline in reading among secondary school students? Are you wondering how to increase opportunities for choice reading and library utilization at your high school? Brookfield Central High School Principal, Brett Grueztmacher, and High School Librarian, Colleen Fenno Ladwig, will discuss our experience over the past three years of hosting quarterly “check out weeks,” which bring students into the library to checkout choice books for regularly scheduled, cross-discipline, independent reading. We will also consider other efforts we’ve made to ignite and inspire reading, including building a school-wide reading culture, offering passive programming, and factoring in larger trends in reading that make emphasizing choice reading at the secondary level more important now than ever. Finally, we will welcome suggestions from other secondary school librarians who have successful strategies for the high school library: how are you igniting and inspiring reading in your schools?
Getting teenagers excited can be a challenge. Now getting them excited about reading and using the library- even a bigger challenge. So how do we spark their interest in the library? This session will explore innovative ideas for both passive and active programming, strategies to engage students and inspire a love for reading, and effective ways to promote the library.
Library Media Teacher, Mary D. Bradford High School
Hello, I am Deidre Olson and I am a dedicated library media teacher with over 23 years of experience in education and libraries. I am passionate about literacy and technology, As a mother of two teenagers, I understand the challenges and joys of teenagers and wouldn't want to spend... Read More →
