2025 Pretzel Winter Institute

This session will explore how to leverage Canva and Schoology to create engaging and visually appealing learning experiences for secondary students. Learn how to design stunning presentations, interactive activities, and visually appealing assignments using Canva. Discover how to integrate Canva designs seamlessly into Schoology courses to enhance student engagement and understanding. We will delve into practical tips, time-saving techniques, and best practices to maximize the potential of these powerful tools. By the end of this session, you will be equipped to create dynamic and visually stimulating learning environments that captivate your students and elevate the learning experience.

Master organization techniques to manage your Google Drive effectively and maximize productivity.

Join us for an interactive session exploring innovative approaches to teaching and learning in the 21st century. While our current educational model has remained largely unchanged for 150 years, today's world demands new ways of thinking about how we structure learning experiences. In this collaborative workshop, participants will engage in dynamic conversations and hands-on activities to envision fresh possibilities for classroom design, scheduling, student grouping, and instructional delivery.This session invites both self-selected participants and educators who have demonstrated interest in educational innovation through their previous work. Together, we'll challenge traditional assumptions about schooling and generate creative solutions for the future of education. Participants will:• Examine current classroom and school structures through a critical lens• Share innovative practices and ideas from their own experiences• Collaborate with colleagues to imagine new possibilities for learning spaces and experiences• Consider how modern tools and understanding of learning could reshape educational environments• Explore potential pilot programs and experimental approachesThe session will be offered both morning and afternoon to accommodate scheduling needs. This workshop may serve as a launching point for an ongoing task force dedicated to researching, testing, and implementing promising ideas for educational redesign.Whether you're curious about alternative approaches to education or already experimenting with innovative practices, this session provides a space to think boldly about transforming learning for today's students.

Develop skills to effectively share your school’s story and build community connections through in-person and digital platforms with the newly-published FSD 145 Communications Guide!

Digging deep into Skyward doesn't have to be scary! Expand your proficiency with Skyward’s tools to streamline school operations and support staff and student needs.

This session will explore practical strategies and digital tools to help K-12 teachers streamline their workflow, enhance time management, and boost overall productivity. Learn how to effectively utilize tools like Google Calendar, Tasks, and task management apps to organize your schedule, prioritize tasks, and reduce stress. Discover time-saving tips for managing email, grading assignments, and communicating with parents. By the end of this session, you will be equipped to optimize your work-life balance and create a more efficient and fulfilling teaching experience.

Equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate digital spaces responsibly and ethically.

Enhance your understanding of Toddle as an IB teaching tool to streamline planning and assessment.

This session will explore how to leverage Canva and Schoology to create engaging and visually appealing learning experiences for secondary students. Learn how to design stunning presentations, interactive activities, and visually appealing assignments using Canva. Discover how to integrate Canva designs seamlessly into Schoology courses to enhance student engagement and understanding. We will delve into practical tips, time-saving techniques, and best practices to maximize the potential of these powerful tools. By the end of this session, you will be equipped to create dynamic and visually stimulating learning environments that captivate your students and elevate the learning experience.

Learn to optimize Skyward’s features for managing student health records and reporting requirements.

Delve into innovative art assessment methods that support student growth and creativity.

Discover technology tools to enrich music instruction and foster student creativity in the classroom.

Come learn about field trip opportunities in the Freeport Student Garden. Your students can apply what they have been learning in any STEM content and more! We'll talk about all of the steps needed for planning a field trip, how to prepare students, and outline each of the opportunities we offer.

This session will explore practical strategies and digital tools to help K-12 teachers streamline their workflow, enhance time management, and boost overall productivity. Learn how to effectively utilize tools like Google Calendar, Tasks, and task management apps to organize your schedule, prioritize tasks, and reduce stress. Discover time-saving tips for managing email, grading assignments, and communicating with parents. By the end of this session, you will be equipped to optimize your work-life balance and create a more efficient and fulfilling teaching experience.

Join us for an interactive session exploring innovative approaches to teaching and learning in the 21st century. While our current educational model has remained largely unchanged for 150 years, today's world demands new ways of thinking about how we structure learning experiences. In this collaborative workshop, participants will engage in dynamic conversations and hands-on activities to envision fresh possibilities for classroom design, scheduling, student grouping, and instructional delivery.This session invites both self-selected participants and educators who have demonstrated interest in educational innovation through their previous work. Together, we'll challenge traditional assumptions about schooling and generate creative solutions for the future of education. Participants will:• Examine current classroom and school structures through a critical lens• Share innovative practices and ideas from their own experiences• Collaborate with colleagues to imagine new possibilities for learning spaces and experiences• Consider how modern tools and understanding of learning could reshape educational environments• Explore potential pilot programs and experimental approachesThe session will be offered both morning and afternoon to accommodate scheduling needs. This workshop may serve as a launching point for an ongoing task force dedicated to researching, testing, and implementing promising ideas for educational redesign.Whether you're curious about alternative approaches to education or already experimenting with innovative practices, this session provides a space to think boldly about transforming learning for today's students.