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2025 Pretzel Winter Institute
Welcome to the 2025 Pretzel Winter Institute! Please select sessions appropriate to your role! Most sessions will be held at Freeport Middle School and Freeport High School while a few will be at Empire Elementary School and Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School. Remember to check session descriptions the night before the Institute to confirm times and locations. If you have any questions, please contact Alex T. Valencic, our Professional Learning Coordinator, at alex.valencic@fsd145.org. Thank you!
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Type: Curriculum & Instruction clear filter
Wednesday, January 22
 

8:30am CST

Bridges Getting Started Facilitator Training, Day 2 BY INVITATION ONLY (FULL DAY WORKSHOP)
Wednesday January 22, 2025 8:30am - 3:30pm CST
Lincoln-Douglas Meeting Room
Welcome to day two of the Bridges Getting Started Facilitator Workshop! Today we will focus on a deep dive into the 3rd - 5th grade modules! Please remember to bring your facilitator's guide, computer, cord, and preferred note-taking materials!
Speakers
avatar for Paula Muehler

Paula Muehler

Curriculum Specialist, Math Learning Center
Bridges Math Curriculum and Intervention published by Math Learning Center
Wednesday January 22, 2025 8:30am - 3:30pm CST
Lincoln-Douglas Meeting Room 1802 West Laurel Street, Freeport, IL, USA
  Curriculum & Instruction

9:30am CST

6-12 Social Studies Curriculum Review & Planning, Part 1 of 2 for SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am CST
FMS Room 210 / Crawford
Collaborate with colleagues to review and refine the social studies curriculum, ensuring alignment with standards and student needs.
Speakers
avatar for Julia Cloat

Julia Cloat

Assoc Superintendent Of Curriculum & Instruction, District
Dr. Julia Stearns Cloat is an author and educator who has dedicated her professional career to public schools and the development and continuous improvement of teachers. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and has since served in a variety of roles including Literacy... Read More →
Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am CST
FMS Room 210 / Crawford
  Curriculum & Instruction

9:30am CST

Developing a Standards-Based Driver's Education Curriculum, Part 1 of 4 for DRIVER'S EDUCATION TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am CST
FHS Room 101 / Driver's Ed
Collaboratively design a comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum for driver’s education, integrating best practices and practical applications. Must attend all four sessions to receive credit.
Speakers
avatar for Elizabeth Whitham

Elizabeth Whitham

Drivers Education, Freeport High School
avatar for Seth Heitter

Seth Heitter

Drivers Education, Freeport High School
Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am CST
FHS Room 101 / Driver's Ed
  Curriculum & Instruction

9:30am CST

K-12 PE SPARK Curriculum Review for PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am CST
FHS Room 219 / Calow
Learn more about the SPARK PE program as we explore these essential questions:
What is the level of online access for teachers and students?
What does the K-12 vertical alignment look like?
What resources are available for elective courses?
How extensive are multilingual supports?
How is the program aligned to state or national standards and how are these standards assessed?
Speakers
BD
Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am CST
FHS Room 219 / Calow
  Curriculum & Instruction

9:30am CST

Make 'n Take Literacy Workshop for 4TH & 5TH GRADE TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am CST
FMS Room 145 / Rahm
Create hands-on literacy resources tailored to the needs of your grade level, 4th and 5th grade, to engage and empower young readers.
Activities will include :
Roll and write Vocabulary
Common and Proper Nouns
Inference Riddles
Prefix/Suffix - Build a word
Add an Adjective 
Speakers
avatar for Anna Nesbitt

Anna Nesbitt

MTSS Reading Support Specialist, Freeport School District #145
I have taught in the Freeport school district for 24 years. I have taught fifth grade, sixth grade, third grade, and I am currently a reading specialist at Blackhawk elementary.
Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am CST
FMS Room 145 / Rahm
  Curriculum & Instruction

9:30am CST

Using Student Assessment Data to Drive Instruction with enVision, Part 1 of 2 for 6-8 MATH TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am CST
FHS Room 140 / Eiler
Analyze assessment data to make informed instructional decisions that enhance learning outcomes in math classrooms. Must attend both sessions to receive credit.
Speakers
DB
Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am CST
FHS Room 140 / Eiler
  Curriculum & Instruction

9:30am CST

WICORizing Your Lesson Plans for 7-12 TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am CST
FMS Room 231 / AVID Center
Through collaborative planning exercises, real-world examples, and reflective discussions, participants will learn how to seamlessly incorporate WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Inqury, and Reading) strategies into various subjects at the middle and secondary level. By the end of the workshop, educators will have a toolkit of innovative approaches to enhance their curriculum, support diverse learners, and foster a more interactive and inquiry-based learning environment. Attendees should bring a copy of a lesson they will be teaching in the near future that they can WICORize during this session.
Speakers
avatar for Jalen Dunbar

Jalen Dunbar

Dean, Freeport Middle School
avatar for Nikki Wheeler

Nikki Wheeler

MTSS Facilitator, Freeport High School
Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am CST
FMS Room 231 / AVID Center
  Curriculum & Instruction

10:45am CST

Developing a Standards-Based Driver's Education Curriculum, Part 2 of 4 for DRIVER'S EDUCATION TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
FHS Room 101 / Driver's Ed
Collaboratively design a comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum for driver’s education, integrating best practices and practical applications. Must attend all four sessions to receive credit.
Speakers
avatar for Elizabeth Whitham

Elizabeth Whitham

Drivers Education, Freeport High School
avatar for Seth Heitter

Seth Heitter

Drivers Education, Freeport High School
Wednesday January 22, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
FHS Room 101 / Driver's Ed
  Curriculum & Instruction

10:45am CST

Focused Note-Taking in the Middle and Secondary Classroom for 7-12 NEW TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
FMS Room 210 / Crawford
Master note-taking techniques to improve student comprehension, retention, and critical thinking in grades 7–12.
Speakers
avatar for Cheri Crawford

Cheri Crawford

Social Studies, Freeport Middle School
Wednesday January 22, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
FMS Room 210 / Crawford
  Curriculum & Instruction

10:45am CST

K-12 PE Athlos Curriculum Review for PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
FHS Room 219 / Calow
Learn more about the Athlos Movement and Character PE program as we explore these essential questions:
What is the level of online access for teachers and students?
What does the K-12 vertical alignment look like?
What resources are available for elective courses?
How extensive are multilingual supports?
How is the program aligned to state or national standards and how are these standards assessed?
Speakers
avatar for Michael Jennings

Michael Jennings

Director of PE & Character Development, Athlos
Michael Jennings has spent over a decade teaching & coaching at nearly every level. He has been a physical education teacher, strength & conditioning coach, football coach, youth athletic development trainer, and now program director for PE & character development. He is passionate... Read More →
Wednesday January 22, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
FHS Room 219 / Calow
  Curriculum & Instruction

10:45am CST

Make 'n Take Literacy Workshop for 2ND & 3RD GRADE TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
FMS Room 145 / Rahm
Create hands-on literacy resources tailored to the needs of your grade level, 2nd to 3rd grade , to engage and empower young readers.
Activities will include :
Roll and Read sentences
Contraction Match Game
Add and adjective
Roll and Write vocabulary
Common and Proper Noun puzzles 
Speakers
avatar for Anna Nesbitt

Anna Nesbitt

MTSS Reading Support Specialist, Freeport School District #145
I have taught in the Freeport school district for 24 years. I have taught fifth grade, sixth grade, third grade, and I am currently a reading specialist at Blackhawk elementary.
Wednesday January 22, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
FMS Room 145 / Rahm
  Curriculum & Instruction

10:45am CST

Using Student Assessment Data to Drive Instruction with enVision, Part 2 of 2 for 6-8 MATH TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
FHS Room 140 / Eiler
Analyze assessment data to make informed instructional decisions that enhance learning outcomes in math classrooms. Must attend both sessions to receive credit.
Speakers
DB
Wednesday January 22, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
FHS Room 140 / Eiler
  Curriculum & Instruction

10:45am CST

WICORizing Your Lesson Plans for K-6 TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
FMS Room 231 / AVID Center
Through collaborative planning exercises, real-world examples, and reflective discussions, participants will learn how to seamlessly incorporate WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Inqury, and Reading) strategies into various subjects at the elementary level. By the end of the workshop, educators will have a toolkit of innovative approaches to enhance their curriculum, support diverse learners, and foster a more interactive and inquiry-based learning environment. Attendees should bring a copy of a lesson they will be teaching in the near future that they can WICORize during this session.
Speakers
avatar for Michele Downing

Michele Downing

Grade 3 HAPP, Center Elementary School
avatar for Stephanie Perkins

Stephanie Perkins

Grade 4 HAPP, Center Elementary School
Wednesday January 22, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
FMS Room 231 / AVID Center
  Curriculum & Instruction

1:00pm CST

Developing a Standards-Based Driver's Education Curriculum, Part 3 of 4 for DRIVER'S EDUCATION TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
FHS Room 101 / Driver's Ed
Collaboratively design a comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum for driver’s education, integrating best practices and practical applications. Must attend all four sessions to receive credit.
Speakers
avatar for Elizabeth Whitham

Elizabeth Whitham

Drivers Education, Freeport High School
avatar for Seth Heitter

Seth Heitter

Drivers Education, Freeport High School
Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
FHS Room 101 / Driver's Ed
  Curriculum & Instruction

1:00pm CST

Inquiry: 3 Things You Can Do Right Now for EC-6 TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
FMS Room 231 / AVID Center
This module is designed to give elementary teachers a better understanding of three strategies (KWLA graphic organizer, Costa’s Levels of Thinking, and Philosophical Chairs) that they can implement right now to expand the use of inquiry within their elementary classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Georgia Mathis

Georgia Mathis

Director of Curriculum & Instruction, District
avatar for Hannah Curran

Hannah Curran

Grade 3, Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School
Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
FMS Room 231 / AVID Center
  Curriculum & Instruction

1:00pm CST

Interactive Notebooks in the Middle and Secondary Classroom for 7-12 TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
FMS Room 150 / K. Smith
Learn how to implement interactive notebooks to support student organization, engagement, and content mastery.
Speakers
avatar for Katrina Smith

Katrina Smith

Science, Freeport Middle School
Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
FMS Room 150 / K. Smith
  Curriculum & Instruction

1:00pm CST

K-12 PE PLT4M Curriculum Review for PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
FHS Room 219 / Calow
Learn more about the PLT4M PE program as we explore these essential questions:
What is the level of online access for teachers and students?
What does the K-12 vertical alignment look like?
What resources are available for elective courses?
How extensive are multilingual supports?
How is the program aligned to state or national standards and how are these standards assessed?
Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
FHS Room 219 / Calow
  Curriculum & Instruction

1:00pm CST

Make 'n Take Literacy Workshop for 1ST GRADE TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
FMS Room 145 / Rahm
Create hands-on literacy resources tailored to the needs of 1st graders to engage and empower young readers.
Activities will include:
Write the Room- Spring Theme
Roll and Read
Fidget spinner challenge 
Speakers
avatar for Anna Nesbitt

Anna Nesbitt

MTSS Reading Support Specialist, Freeport School District #145
I have taught in the Freeport school district for 24 years. I have taught fifth grade, sixth grade, third grade, and I am currently a reading specialist at Blackhawk elementary.
Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
FMS Room 145 / Rahm
  Curriculum & Instruction

1:00pm CST

Using Student Assessment Data to Drive Instruction with enVision, Part 1 of 2 for A|G|A MATH TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
FHS Room 140 / Eiler
Analyze assessment data to make informed instructional decisions that enhance learning outcomes in math classrooms. Must attend both sessions to receive credit.
Speakers
DB
Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
FHS Room 140 / Eiler
  Curriculum & Instruction

2:15pm CST

6-12 Social Studies Curriculum Review & Planning, Part 2 of 2 for SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
FMS Room 210 / Crawford
Collaborate with colleagues to review and refine the social studies curriculum, ensuring alignment with standards and student needs.
Speakers
avatar for Julia Cloat

Julia Cloat

Assoc Superintendent Of Curriculum & Instruction, District
Dr. Julia Stearns Cloat is an author and educator who has dedicated her professional career to public schools and the development and continuous improvement of teachers. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and has since served in a variety of roles including Literacy... Read More →
Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
FMS Room 210 / Crawford
  Curriculum & Instruction

2:15pm CST

Developing a Standards-Based Driver's Education Curriculum, Part 4 of 4 for DRIVER'S EDUCATION TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
FHS Room 101 / Driver's Ed
Collaboratively design a comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum for driver’s education, integrating best practices and practical applications. Must attend all four sessions to receive credit.
Speakers
avatar for Elizabeth Whitham

Elizabeth Whitham

Drivers Education, Freeport High School
avatar for Seth Heitter

Seth Heitter

Drivers Education, Freeport High School
Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
FHS Room 101 / Driver's Ed
  Curriculum & Instruction

2:15pm CST

Inquiry: 3 Things You Can Do Right Now for 7-12 TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
FMS Room 231 / AVID Center
This module is designed to give teachers a better understanding of three strategies (KWLA graphic organizer, Costa’s Levels of Thinking, and Philosophical Chairs) that they can implement right now to expand the use of inquiry within their secondary classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Christy Evans

Christy Evans

Instructional Facilitator/AVID, Freeport High School
avatar for Thedford Jackson

Thedford Jackson

College & Career Advisor, Freeport School District #145
Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
FMS Room 231 / AVID Center
  Curriculum & Instruction

2:15pm CST

K-12 PE Curriculum Review Debrief for PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
FHS Room 219 / Calow
Participate in this session to analyze and evaluate the SPARK, Athlos, and PLT4M physical education curricula.
Speakers
avatar for Shaun Dascher

Shaun Dascher

Physical Education, Freeport High School
avatar for Ryan Balsiger

Ryan Balsiger

Physical Education, Freeport Middle School
Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
FHS Room 219 / Calow
  Curriculum & Instruction

2:15pm CST

Make 'n Take Literacy Workshop for EARLY CHILDHOOD AND KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
FMS Room 145 / Rahm
Create hands-on literacy resources tailored to the needs of your grade level, from Early Childhood and Kindergarten , to engage and empower young readers.
Activities will include :
Write the Room - Spring Theme
ABC popsicle sticks
Fidget Spinner Challenge
Match the Beginning sound
Speakers
avatar for Anna Nesbitt

Anna Nesbitt

MTSS Reading Support Specialist, Freeport School District #145
I have taught in the Freeport school district for 24 years. I have taught fifth grade, sixth grade, third grade, and I am currently a reading specialist at Blackhawk elementary.
Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
FMS Room 145 / Rahm
  Curriculum & Instruction

2:15pm CST

Using Student Assessment Data to Drive Instruction with enVision, Part 2 of 2 for A|G|A MATH TEACHERS
Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
FHS Room 140 / Eiler
Analyze assessment data to make informed instructional decisions that enhance learning outcomes in math classrooms. Must attend both sessions to receive credit.
Speakers
DB
Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
FHS Room 140 / Eiler
  Curriculum & Instruction
 
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Wednesday, January 22
Carl Sandburg Library
Empire All-Purpose Room
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FHS Room 101 / Driver's Ed
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Jeannette Lloyd Theatre
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