Continuous Improvement Planning 101

Uninterrupted Time to Collaborate around Current Realities and Plan Next Steps!

Presenters: Elizabeth Freeman, Latricia Johnson, Ed O' Connor, Julie Preman, Valerie Schmitz & Mary Jo Ziegler

Cost: Free

Description: Districts and schools across CESA 2 need leadership team time to reflect and set goals. The Department of Public Instruction has created a continuous improvement rubric and data tools to support this process of reflecting and doing a needs assessment, determining root causes, and generating a theory of action to address challenges. CESA 2 facilitators will introduce participants to the tools and resources available through DPI that make this process effective. Join us to learn these initial steps and get the next steps scheduled to ensure success (Aligned to requirements for districts and schools with federal identifications).

About the Presenters:

Elizabeth Witter Freeman has been supporting CESA 2 schools since 2015. Her areas of specialty include School Systems, School Improvement, Data Analysis, Strategic Planning, RtI/MTSS, and Pupil Service Delivery. Elizabeth practiced as a School Psychologist near Madison, WI after receiving her doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2007.

Latricia Johnson joins the Curriculum and Coaching Center of Excellence as a English Language Arts/Literacy Consultant. Latricia worked most recently in Milwaukee Public Schools as a District School Improvement Coordinator and has worked in the Beloit and West Allis/West Milwaukee School Districts. She has extensive experience providing educational leadership support services that focus on planning, developing frameworks, models and implementation strategies that support equity for all children.

Ed O’Connor, PhD directs the Data & Strategic Planning Center for CESA 2. Previously, Ed served the Monona Grove School District for 15 years as a school psychologist and as Director of Continuous Improvement and Assessment. Ed has worked at all levels from 4K-12. He also works at the collegiate level as a lecturer in the School Psychology Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ed has longstanding research interests in the areas of early literacy instruction and assessment, effective instruction, bridging the research-practice gap, systems change and models of continuous improvement in education, problem solving/response to instruction, and preparing students to be “college and career ready.” Ed is a frequent presenter on these topics at state and national conferences.

Julie Preman is CESA 2’s Senior Director of Specialized Services and Staffing. Julie is an accomplished educator, professional development specialist, and administrator with a proven ability to create and monitor policies and practices that promote professional excellence and student success. She’s focused on inclusive education, co-plan to co-serve education models, and the use of evidence-based strategies to maximize student engagement and learning.

Valerie Schmitz, PhD is the Senior Director of Continuous Improvement for CESA 2. In this position, Valerie leads the regional work for educator development and district implementation of the Wisconsin Educator Effectiveness System, as well as data analysis and school improvement. Valerie has deep expertise in this work, serving as the Educator Effectiveness Coordinator at CESA 6 for the past four years. She has assisted districts with implementation of both Educator Effectiveness and the Effectiveness Project. She also has deep expertise in data analysis, systems analysis, and school improvement. Valerie has earned a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Instructional Design for Online Learning as well as an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. She also holds a M.Ed. in Technology Education as well as an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership.

Mary Jo Ziegler has worked in diverse educational settings for over 30 years. The first 15 years of her career were spent in classrooms teaching grades 2-8. After earning an M.S. in Reading, she moved into an instructional coaching and intervention role at Sherman Middle School in Madison, Wisconsin. A second Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership led to roles as district instructional resource teacher, a literacy coordinator, PK-12 director of instruction, and DPI consultant. Across the years, MJ has worked to support educators as they design engaging and effective learning opportunities that motivate achievement by building routines and scaffolds to guide students through successful learning experiences.

Cancellation Policy: Registered participants will receive a refund if they cancel prior to 3 working days before an event, minus any material costs that have already been incurred. Cancellations must either be made on MyQuickReg or by emailing cancel@cesa2.org. Because of our commitment to the presenter and the food vendor, participants who cancel less than 3 working days prior to the event or who do not attend the event, will be billed the full fee. CESA 2 reserves the right to cancel any event. Registered participants will be notified via phone and email if a cancellation occurs and will receive a full refund. 

Inclement Weather Policy: Every effort will be made to hold an event. CESA 2 will notify participants via email as soon as possible if an event has been cancelled due to weather conditions.

Disclaimer: CESA 2 will do its best to accommodate general dietary requests; if your dietary need is very specific or severe, you may want to bring your own lunch to ensure your comfort and health. CESA 2 does not assume liability for adverse reactions to food consumed or items one may come into contact with while eating at a CESA 2 event. If you have a dietary need or food allergy, please go into your MyQuickReg profile and update the special accommodations section. Notice of a special dietary need must be made 2 weeks in advance of the event.

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In-Person Events: Restrictions on our in-person events due to COVID-19 have been lifted. We will be responsive to what's happening within our communities, and guidelines from the CDC and local health agencies for future offerings and will update guidelines when necessary.