AUGUST 4, 2022 - Mount Mercy University
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AUGUST 4, 2022
WELCOME, EDUCATORS!
On behalf of the Conference Planning Committee, we
would like to extend a warm welcome to the Forward in
Faith conference. Our conference committee has been
working diligently to create an exceptional experience
for all attendees.
It is our hope that you will leave this conference equipped
with new strategies and relationships and inspired to
begin the 2022-2023 year.
If there is anything we can do to assist you during the
conference, please let us know. We are here to ensure
your conference experience is meaningful, valuable, and
enjoyable. If you have any questions, please stop by the
registration check-in point located in Hennessey
Recreation Center.
We look forward to meeting each of you and to move
Forward in Faith together.
Many Blessings,
Forward in Faith Conference Planning Committee
2
APPRECIATION
Thank you to Thank you to our
our event sponsors conference planning committee team
Presenting Sponsor • Phil Drey, Mount Mercy, Assistant
Professor, Religious Studies; Director
of Mustang U
• Mindy Hart, Associate Director,
Office of Catholic Schools,
Platinum Sponsor Archdiocese of Dubuque
• Mary Smock, Associate Director,
Office of Catholic Schools,
Archdiocese of Dubuque
Gold Sponsor • Laurie Field, Principal, Immaculate
Conception, Charles City
• Susan Hucker, Principal, Sacred Heart,
Monticello
Silver Sponsor • Casey Kettmann, Principal, St. Joseph,
Marion
• Marcel Kielkucki, Principal, Beckman,
Dyersville
Bronze Sponsor • Kristin Kriener, Principal, St. Teresa,
Ossian/Spillville
• Kathleen Konrarady, Principal,
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dubuque
• Michael Volk, Principal, St. Patrick,
Anamosa
• Sara Rooney, Administrator at
Christ the King, Des Moines
• Zach Zeckser, Principal, Holy Family,
Cedar Rapids
• Erin Schmitz, Conference Planner
3
MEETING SPACE
4
MARKETPLACE
Connect with educational resources.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022
Open Hours
7:30 am – 8:30 am
10:00 am – 10:15 am
11:15 am - 1:00 pm
EXHIBITORS
• ADAC • FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa
• Archdiocese of Dubuque - • Iowa Knights of Columbus
Faith Formation Resources • Iowa Reading Research Center (IRRC)
• BK Educational Resources • Loyola Press
• Britannica Education • Mount Mercy University
• Curriculum Associates • TimRead.com
• FACTS • Usborne Books & More
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS OVERVIEW
7:30 am - 8:30 am Registration and Breakfast
7:30 am - 8:30 am Exhibitor Marketplace
8:30 am Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:45 am - 10:00 am Mass with Archbishop Jackels
10:00 am - 10:15 am Morning Break
10:15 am - 11:15 am Keynote
“Balancing Life in Your War Zones”
Presented by LeAnn Thieman
11:15 am - 12:45 pm Lunch, Exhibitor Marketplace and Book Signing
by LeAnn Thieman
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm Early Afternoon Breakout Sessions
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm Afternoon Break
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Mid Afternoon Breakout Sessions
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Closing remarks
5
DETAILED
AGENDA
7:30 – 8:30 am Registration
Hennessey Recreation Center
7:30 – 8:30 am Exhibitor Marketplace
University Center
8:30 am Welcome and Opening Remarks
Chapel of Mercy
8:45 – 10:00 am Mass with Archbishop Jackels
Chapel of Mercy
10:00 – 10:15 am Morning Break
Hennessey Recreation Center
10:15 – 11:15 am Keynote
“Balancing Life in Your War Zones”
Presented by LeAnn Thieman
Hennessey Recreation Center
11:15 am - 12:45 pm Lunch, Exhibitor Marketplace and
Book Signing by LeAnn Thieman
University Center
12:45 – 1:45 pm Breakout Sessions
Flipped Classroom
Learn about setting up and using a flipped classroom
model, the pros and cons of this model (both from a
teachers perspective and student perspectives), and how
to modify different levels of instruction using this model.
Presented by: Melissa Sturm, Marquette Catholic School
Audience: 6-8, 9-12, Instructional Support
Location: Basile Hall 200
6
12:45 – 1:45 pm Social Studies Standards in the Classroom
This session will explore the implementation of the Social
Standards in the classroom.
Presented by: Pat Lehmann, Keystone AEA
Audience: Pre-6
Location: Basile Hall 203
God, Sex, & The Meaning of Life
Who am I? Why am I here? What does it mean to be human?
Does my life matter? These are questions that every human
has—and St. John Paul II has the answers for in his teaching
popularly known as the Theology of the Body. Far from being
something only teachers of theology need to know, or con-
fined to the walls and times of a religion class, this teaching
applies to EVERY person and can bear incredible fruit when
a school uses this as its foundation to view and love every
person that enters its walls. Attendees will receive a over-
view of the Theology of the Body, how to use it as a firm foun-
dation for interacting with students, and how to practically
teach it in classrooms. Come and become deeply convinced
of your personal self-worth, dignity, and purpose in life!
Presented By: Kelsey Kaiser, Marquette Catholic Schools
Audience: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, Administration, Instructional
Support, Associates, Administrative Assistants
Location: Basile Hall 212
Technology in the Classroom
This session will provide teachers with a variety of technol-
ogy options, including games, interactive classroom tools
and more. Information about utilizing these activities with
different grade levels will also be discussed.
Presented by: Lexsea Stickrod, Marquette Catholic Audience:
3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Location: Basile Hall 215
Game Changers in Reading
Help your students, particularly your most striving readers,
advance in reading. This session will share strategies that are
being recognized as game changers in the field of reading.
Presented by: Tricia Kilburg, Marquette Catholic Schools
Audience: PreK-2, Grades 3-5
Location: Basile Hall 300
Student Accommodations/Modifications
This session is aimed to help define the difference between
modifications and accommodations in IEP’s and the regular
classroom. It is designed to help you relate to your all of
your learners as an educator to help your students succeed
in and out of the classroom.
Presented by: Staci Holzer, Immaculate Conception School-
Charles City
Audience: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Instructional Support
Location: Basile Hall 303
7
12:45 – 1:45 pm Physical Education
Learn about easy PE classroom management techniques
that work and keep students engaged.
Presented by: Lisa Adams, Immaculate Conception
Charles City
Audience: Specialist
Location: Basile Hall 311
The Little Way of Evangelization for a Dying World
25% of all Americans today identify as “nones” with no
religious affiliation. 28% of these “nones” were raised
Catholic. While 79% of Catholics leave the Church before
the age of 23, this decision is made at a median age of 13.
Study after study reports the same bleak findings in our
Church. Simply put, the catechesis we have been driving
isn’t working. In this session, we’ll lean into the spirituality
of St. Therese of Lisieux and how her Little Way of
evangelization can save our dying world.
Presented by: Louren Kilburg, LaSalle Middle School
Audience: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Location: Basile Hall 312
The Two Arms of Faith Formation
We will take a look at how academic and spiritual
experiences together form the students in meaningful
and sometimes life changing ways. We will talk about how
religion class with retreats, Bible study, Adoration and
prayer together leads to faithful graduates.
Presented by: Jim Kuhl, Wahlert Catholic H.S.
Audience: 9 to 12
Location: Basile Hall 315
Spreading Joy Through Humor
We are called to spread joy, hope, and love in our actions
and our words. To our students, we provide a better un-
derstanding of who Christ was and who He is. This is a
tremendous responsibility and we often falter. A little dash
of humor can go a long way in building relationships with
students, in accepting God’s graces, and in getting through
each day with a smile. I’ll share emerging research regarding
the benefits of using appropriate humor in your classrooms,
provide some tips I’ve learned throughout the years, and we
might even share a laugh or two.
Presented by: Geoffrey Kaiser, Marquette Catholic Schools
Audience: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, Administration, Instructional
Support, Associates
Location: Warde Hall 109
8
12:45 – 1:45 pm Seeds of the Word: Drawing Catholic Truth
From Secular Sources
Do you know the gospel according to High School Musical?
Borrowing an idea (and title) from Bishop Robert Barron,
this workshop will demonstrate how to teach our kids to
recognize gospel truth in the movies and shows they watch
and the books they read; whether on their own or in other
classes. Examples and how they are used in class will be
shared and discussed.
Jerry McGrane has taught theology at Beckman Catholic for
23 year and has been the campus minister for 18 of those
years. He has also taught history and economics coaches
wrestling. During the summer he helps train and supervise
Totus Tuus missionaries for the archdiocese.
Presented by: Jerry McGrane, Beckman Catholic High School
Audience: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Location: Warde Hall 306
Dyslexia and Orton-Gillingham: Tools for Tomorrow
As many as 1 in 6 students in your classroom may have
dyslexia. How much do you know about this language-based
learning disability? Learn some basics about dyslexia, as well
as what has been dubbed “The Gold Standard” in literacy
instruction for students with this learning struggle- Orton-
Gillingham. You will hear about the critical elements within
this methodology, as well as some ways to embed them into
your teaching for tomorrow!
Presented by: Kathleen Konrardy, Our Lady of Guadalupe
Audience: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Instructional Support
Location: Busee Library 028
An Incomplete Guide to Mental Health
with our Students
This session will focus on the ways in which we could identify
and support students through a multitude of mental health
issues that teachers may most frequently encounter in their
classrooms.
Presented by: Katie Dean, Mazzuchelli
Audience: 6-8, 9-12, Administration, Associates, Specialists
Location: Busse Library 036
Sight Words
In this session you will learn what a sight word is, how to
help kids map words and ways to organize the words your
school/district requires you to teach your students. In this
session we will give examples of student sight word/tricky
word books and you will learn several fun games/center
activities for kids to practice these words.
Presented by: Tracey Horsfall, Seton Catholic School
Audience: PreK-2
Location: Busee Library 040
912:45 – 1:45 pm Aligning High School Science Instruction to NGSS
This session will focus on the alignment of high school
science instruction to NGSS
Presented by: Mandie Sanderman, Central River AEA
Audience: 9-12
Location: Wente Education Center 205
Interactive Morning Message
Morning Message is an interactive teaching method that
introduces students to the writing process. The morning
message lets students know what is happening each day. It
provides them much needed structure and routine and gives
them a heads up about changes in schedule or new things
happening. The message can also give them some insight
into what they will learn that day. And the morning message
provides some academic instruction as well.
Presented By: Roxane Brown, Seton Catholic School
Audience: PreK-2, 3-5
Location: Wente Education Center 206
Human Relations for Principals
Presenter Lynn Osterhaus will address questions that are
frequently asked when dealing with non-certified staff.
She will explore topics such as Family Medical Leave, hiring,
letters of reprimand and job descriptions. There will be a
time for Q and A as well.
Presented By: Lynn Osterhaus
Audience: Principals, Administration
Location: Wente Education Center 207
Creating New Classes: Triumphs and Pitfalls
Improving curriculum requires a constant look at what
classes are being offered to students, and what possible
improvements could be made. Over the course of a thirty-
year teaching career in Catholic schools, I have developed
(with much help!) three new curricular courses and am
currently working on number four! This session will focus
on when the time is right to add new courses to your cur-
riculum, how to prepare for their implementation, and the
triumphs and pitfalls of my experience as a creator of new
curricular content.
Presented by: Mike Goldsmith, Xavier High School
Audience: 6 - 8, 9 - 12
Location: Lundy Commons 1
10Supporting explicit and implicit learning, WordFlight
provides the right practice at the right time
Happily, after decades of debate, there is now a growing
consensus that understanding the symbol-sound relationships
(phonics) is critical to becoming a proficient reader. The pro-
ponents of explicit instruction for teaching phonics have also
clearly established the advantage of this approach compared
to less focused and less systematic instruction. Although there
is increasing agreement about what must be learned, many
students still cannot transfer their knowledge to use. They
have not developed the expert and automatic skills required
to become fluent readers. What is missing? The findings about
the nature and timing of instruction and practice from the
science of learning can be leveraged to impact automatic skill
development and fluency. Cognitive scientists have studied
skill development for decades across multiple domains like
infant language perception, mathematics, flying airplanes,
playing golf and even learning to read. This research demon-
strates how the right practice at the right time impacts the
development of automatic, fluent, and expert skills. These
principles may seem counterintuitive to common practices
in reading instruction. However, findings show these robust
principles generalize to reading development. This presenta-
tion will focus on the integration of learning principles into
WordFlight that go beyond knowledge acquisition to improve
retention, retrieval and generalization processes; the benefits
of interleaving content and tasks; the role of systematic
variation and immediate feedback; and why the most robust
learning is often accompanied by feelings of struggle rather
than mastery.
Presented by: Carolyn Brown, Co-Founder and President of
Foundations in Learning
Audience: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Administration, Instructional Support
Location: Lundy Commons 3
Google in the Classroom
Google resources are helpful to use in the classroom. The
focus of the session will be on Google Classroom, and how
other google apps can be used within the classroom format.
The session will also highlight the positive benefits of Brain
Breaks in the classroom. Examples will be shown that can
be used at each level.
Presented By: Dawn Ellis, Wellness Teacher, Mazzuchelli
Catholic Middle School
Audience: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Specialist
Location: Lundy Commons 4
1:45 – 2:00 pm Afternoon Break
112:00 – 3:00 pm Later Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Deep Dive into Self-Care and Life Balance
This fun interactive breakout session dives deeper after
LeAnn’s keynote presentation to learn specific tools to care
for our minds, bodies, and spirits. She provides hands-on
practicing of techniques for stress reduction, deep breathing
and relaxation, positive thinking and visualization, laughter,
forgiveness, reflection, and prayer.
Presented by: LeAnn Thieman
Audience: All
Location: Hennessey Recreation Center
Competency Based Education (CBE)
Learn about CBE learning opportunities, and what to con-
sider when looking into starting this program at your school.
Student, teacher, and supervisor experiences and sugges-
tions will be shared.
Presented By: Melissa Sturm, Marquette Catholic School
Audience: 9-12, Administration, Instructional Support
Location: Basile Hall 200
Social Studies Standards in the Classroom
This session will explore the implementation of the Social
Standards in the classroom.
Presented by: Pat Lehmann, Keystone AEA
Audience: 9-12
Location: Basile Hall 203
Brain Breaks
Brain breaks are times set aside to let students’ minds divert
from content and focus on something else. Brain breaks take
time but the focus they bring to the class can make up for it.
Benefits to the classroom include improved classroom man-
agement, rapport with students, and transitions between
chunked sections of lessons. Brain breaks could include a
quick game, a stretch, cross body movement, learning about
classmates, a digital event through Pear Deck, etc. and could
range from 1 to 5 minutes. This session will focus on what
brain breaks are, their benefits, time to experience brain
breaks, and what goes into inventing your own.
Presented by: Matthew Naber, Beckman Catholic High School
Audience: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Location: Basile Hall 212
122:00 – 3:00 pm The Value of Rigor: AP vs Online Classes
There has been a monumental educational shift towards on-
line education in recent years that began with online college
courses and has since developed by necessity due to the pan-
demic. My session will hopefully shed some light on the value
of in-person courses, specifically as it relates to Advanced
Placement courses vs their online college credit counterparts.
Presented By: Andy Bishop, Marquette Catholic High School
Audience: 9 to 12
Location: Basile Hall 215
Understanding Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
The presenter will share with participants an overview of MTSS
and explain how a school can set a vision to implement a
Student Support Team (SST) and tiered interventions resulting
in a system of support that provides equitable access to meet
the needs of all learners.
Presented by: Sandra Drummey, Ed.D, ADAC
Audience: School leadership, Resource teachers,
and teachers from all levels and content areas.
Location: Basile Hall 300
Engaging with Barrys
How we engage students through incentives, engaging
activities, and community lessons.
Presented by: Cari Barry and Stephani Barry, Immaculate
Conception School
Audience: Grades 3-5, 6-8
Location: Basile Hall 303
Cultivating Peace and Purpose in PE
One PE teacher’s take on how to best serve students in
Physical Education in an ever changing educational and
athletic climate.
Presented By: Jason Dole, LaSalle Middle School
Audience: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Administration, Specialists
Location: Basile Hall 312
Reimagining the Bishops’ Framework:
Identifying Student Needs in a Changing World
A challenge of the Church in our time is forming students to
become lifelong believers through religious formation that
is relevant not only to current student experience but also
within the broader educational landscape. In this modern era
of constant curriculum changes, the USCCB Framework for
Catechesis remains the same and must be brought forward
into that same future through a revitalization of instructional
methods and a reimagination of Framework implementation.
This creates an approach relevant to youth today to support
their ongoing learning and catechesis while taking seriously
the reality of student life and suffering, especially in the midst
of the recent pandemic. This presentation establishes a
13process for reinvigorating religion curriculum using the work
of the Wahlert Catholic religion department as an example for
intentionally approaching course material and the needs of
students through competencies, application, and reflection.
Presented by: Abigail Lofte, Wahlert Catholic High School
Audience: 9 to 12, Administration
Location: Basile Hall 315
Work-Based Learning in Catholic Schools
Work-based learning is on the rise in Iowa. In this session,
learn how Beckman Catholic has updated its work-based
learning options for students including apprenticeship
programs with local employers.
Presented By: Marcel Kielkucki, Steven Lueck, Beckman Catholic
High School and Geofrey Kaiser, Marquette Catholic Schools
Audience: 9 to 12, Administration
Location: Warde Hall 109
Made for Holiness: A Catholic Introduction to
Demons and Exorcism - Spiritual Warfare Essentials
Based on Anthony’s book of the same title, this talk offers a
concise exploration of the Catholic Church’s teachings about
demons, demonic activity with appropriate remedies, and the
importance of the universal call to holiness and spiritual war-
fare. This talk is an invaluable opportunity to uncover the
foundations of demonic activity, how to avoid it, and grow spir-
itually. Have you ever wondered: What are demons, where
do they come from, and what do they want? What are the
levels of demonic activity, and how does the Church diagnose
& treat them? What opens people to demonic activity, and how
can I be protected? What happens in a real exorcism, and how
do we know if someone is actually possessed?
Enthusiastic, faithful to the Magisterium, and passionately
Catholic, Anthony Digmann is a husband and father of a young
family and a Passionately Catholic YouTuber, speaker, and
author. He has been featured on international Catholic media
such as EWTN, Catholic Digest, and Radio Maria, as well as
various national Catholic radio stations, podcasts, blogs, and
diocesan periodicals. He has a Master’s degree in Theology and
has served the Church professionally in Catholic schools, parish
ministry, and on councils of the Archdiocese of Dubuque since
2006. Since 2008, Anthony has taught Theology at Beckman
Catholic High School in Dyersville, IA. Anthony is the author of
several books, including Using the Force: Star Wars and Cath-
olicism; Made for Holiness: A Catholic Introduction to Demons
and Exorcism; and Sign of Contradiction: Contraception, Family
Planning, & Catholicism. He is also a professional videographer,
disc golf course designer, and Beckman Catholic Disc Golf Club
moderator. Discover more at https://anthonydigmann.com
Presented by: Anthony Digmann, Beckman Catholic High School
Audience: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12,
Administration, Associates, Administrative Assistants
Location: Warde Hall 306
142:00 – 3:00 pm Positive Classroom Management
Positive classroom management can make a classroom
thrive. The tone of voice, word choice, celebrating achieve-
ments, building relationships with students and having
well planned lessons are ways of getting students to enjoy
learning and be productive. Having a positive classroom
setting can make teaching even more enjoyable.
Presented By: Jolene Belken, Mazzuchelli Catholic School
Audience: 6 to 8
Location: Busse Library 036
Overview of the Science of Reading
An introduction to the Science of Reading and why build-
ing our knowledge and understanding of the research
about how students learn to read can benefit all students.
Presented by: Kari Meyer, Seton Catholic School
Audience: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, Administration, Instructional
Support and Associates
Location: Busee Library 040
Fundraising Success in Today’s Changing World!
Come learn about tried and true annual and major giving
strategies from a team of fundraising professionals. Learn
about fundraising tools and resources that will help guide
your organization to success.
Presented By: Brenda Haefner, Mount Mercy University
Audience: Administration, Development
Location: Wente Education Center 204
Aligning the Elementary Science Instruction
to NGSS
This session will focus on the alignment of elementary
science instruction to NGSS
Presented by: Mandie Sanderman, Central River AEA
Audience: Pre - 6
Location: Wente Education Center 205
Emergent Reading
This session will focus on how to encourage students to
become writers who take pride in their work and excited
to write. Special focus will be on how to let students have
choice in their writing and how to get students engaged
in and enjoying writing!
Presented by: Sarah Richard, Seton Catholic School
Audience: PreK-2
Location: Wente Education Center 206
15Who Are We?: Developing Visibility for Your
School’s Charism
What makes your school unique? Many people describe
it as a positive feeling that they get when they walk into
their school. However, sometimes this feeling is difficult to
put into words. In this session, you will learn strategies to
make your school charism-spiritual assets that are unique
to your school-visible, so that all stakeholders who walk
through your doors understand the true value of what it
means to be a member of your school.
Presented by: Tim Read
Audience: Administration
Location: Wente Education Center 207
From computer applications to coding:
Designing a computer science curriculum to meet
your school’s needs
Implementing a computer science program for students
provides exciting opportunities to connect all students
to 21st-century skills and develop project-based learn-
ing (PBL) activities. This presentation will highlight two
9-week technology curricula created for middle school
students. Comparing the technology course to the new
computer science standards, we will identify strengths
and areas for improvement for these curricula, and in the
process, explore ways to develop an engaging computer
science curriculum that works for your school.
Presented by: Jeanne Beck, EL Associate, St. Cecilia School
Audience: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Administration
Location: Lundy Commons 3
2:00 – 3:00 pm Virtues in the Classroom
Virtues can be viewed as an invisible string connecting
you to the choices you make daily. You can concentrate
on one virtue every week. I will share daily 5-10 minute
activities/discussions to use during Religion class, quick
thoughts throughout the school day to remind students
of the virtue, and websites/resources. Also, I will sprinkle
in some growth mindset ideas with the virtues.
Presented By: Erin Seymour, Saint Joseph Catholic
School- Marion
Audience: PreK-2, 3-5
Location: Lundy Commons 4
3:00 – 3:30 pm Closing Remarks
Hennessey Recreation Center
16Contact your Educational Consultant,
Melissa Melgoza,
at melgoza@loyolapress.com
For 140 years, 122 in Iowa, the
Knights of Columbus have been
serving our parishes and families.
Our world needs more Knights.
Our world needs YOU to join today!
Scan the code or go to kofc.org/joinus
to register. A Partner,
BLESSEDMCGIVNEY
for 12 months of
Not a Program
free online membership
*Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men
18 years of age or older who are “practical” Catholics
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17SPEAKER BIOS
| Keynote Presenter l Barry, Cari
LeAnn Thieman Engaging with Barry’s 5th Grade Teacher, Immaculate
Conception School
LeAnn Thieman, a farm girl from rural Iowa, is a
nationally acclaimed professional speaker, author, and Cari Barry lives in Charles City with her husband Tad
nurse who was “accidentally” caught up in the Vietnam and three kids, Layla (8), LJ (7), and Lorissa (2). Cari
Orphan Airlift in 1975 when she helped rescue 300 grew up in Charles City and received a Bachelor of Arts
babies as Saigon was falling to the Communists. degree in Education from Buena Vista University.
Through God’s grace, she endured and is living proof Barry, Stephani
that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary
5th and 6th Grade Teacher, Immaculate Conception
things. By sharing her amazing adventure and stories
School
from her book Chicken Soup for the Soul, Living Catholic
Faith, she proves her conviction that, just as God led her Stephani is from Charles City, she attended and grad-
to Vietnam, He leads us all when we trust His guidance. uated from Immaculate Conception Elementary School.
Her presentations fill people with hope and love, nourishes She graduated from Charles City High School in 2013.
their souls, and deepens their faiths. Then attended Loras College and earned a Bachelor of
LeAnn has authored 13 other Chicken Soup for the Arts in Education. After graduating in 2017 she returned
Soul books, including Chicken Soup for the Soul, A Book to Immaculate Conception to teach. Her first year was in
of Miracles, and Chicken Soup for the Soul, Answered 3rd grade and has been teaching 5th and 6th grade for
Prayers. And most recently a 4 books series from Sophia the last four years. In the spring, she will be marrying
Press featuring the miraculous stories from those Chicken her high school sweetheart.
Soup books. Beck, Jeanne
She has been featured in Newsweek Magazine’s Voices From computer applications to coding: Designing a
of the Century issue, on FOX-TV, BBC, NPR, PBS, PAX-TV’s computer science curriculum to meet your school’s needs
It’s A Miracle. In 2008 she was inducted into the Speaker EL Associate, St. Cecilia School
Hall of Fame and in 2018 she was pronounced a Legend
of Speaking Profession. Jeanne is a doctoral student in the Applied Linguistics
and Technology Program at Iowa State University and the
| Breakout Session Presenters | EL teacher at St. Cecilia School in Ames. She has taught
English learners, language arts, public speaking, and
Adams, Lisa technology courses in the US, South Korea, and Japan.
Physical Education. Physical Education Teacher,
Immaculate Conception Charles City
Belken, Jolene
Positive Classroom Management 7th grade Science
Lisa Adams lives in Clarksville, Iowa, with her husband
Teacher, Mazzuchelli Catholic School
and 1 year old daughter. She is a 2013 ISU, certified
Jolene Belken has been teaching in Catholic schools
to teach K-12 PE and 5-12 health. Adams has taught
for 23 years, teaching 6th and 7th grades. Currently
elementary PE at Immaculate Conception in Charles City
she teaches at Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School in
for the last 5 years. Before IC she worked near Esther-
Dubuque, Iowa. She has a passion for teaching in a
ville, Iowa, teaching at a behavioral treatment center for
Catholic School and to strive to have students see the
teenage girls. She is also a member of the Army National
greatness inside of them.
Guard for 8 years. She enjoys spending time with family
and doing many outdoor activities; such as camping, Bishop, Andy
hiking, biking, and kayaking. The Value of Rigor: AP vs Online Classes English/
Math Teacher, Marquette Catholic High School
Andy Bishop began teaching at Marquette in 2011
as a high school English teacher. After five years, he
was able to begin teaching AP Language and Compo-
sition and followed shortly after with AP Literature and
Composition. With degrees from Clarke University in both
English and Math, he is currently planning on taking
over AP Calculus at Marquette as well in the 2022-23
school year. He originally is from the northern suburbs
of Chicago and lives in Bellevue, Iowa with his wife
(also a math teacher) and four children.
18Brown, Carolyn speaker, and author. He has been featured on international
Supporting explicit and implicit learning, WordFlight Catholic media such as EWTN, Catholic Digest, and Radio
provides the right practice at the right time Co-Founder Maria, as well as various national Catholic radio stations,
and President of Foundations in Learning podcasts, blogs, and diocesan periodicals. He has a
Master’s degree in Theology and has served the Church
Over the past 30 years, Dr. Carolyn Brown has focused on
professionally in Catholic schools, parish ministry, and on
optimizing student learning and facilitating access
councils of the Archdiocese of Dubuque since 2006. Since
to literacy. She has devoted her career to developing
tools and testing solutions that optimize language 2008, Anthony has taught Theology at Beckman Catholic
and literacy development for all students. She has High School in Dyersville, IA.
co-founded three companies (Breakthrough to Literacy, Anthony is the author of several books, including Using
the Iowa Language and Literacy Institute and Founda- the Force: Star Wars and Catholicism; Made for Holiness: A
tions in Learning), each organized to advance current Catholic Introduction to Demons and Exorcism; and Sign of
science and create solutions to help all children learn Contradiction: Contraception, Family Planning, & Catholi-
to read. Dr. Brown and her colleagues have received cism. He is also a professional videographer, disc golf course
support from the National Institutes of Health, the designer, and Beckman Catholic Disc Golf Club moderator.
Department of Education, the National Science Founda- Dole, Jason
tion, and the State of Iowa. Her areas of specialization
Cultivating Peace and Purpose in PE PE Teacher/AD,
are child development, language acquisition and
LaSalle Middle School
reading. She is an adjunct professor in the Department
of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the Jason Dole is the Physical Education Teacher and Ath-
University of Iowa where she also received her Ph.D. letic Director at LaSalle Catholic Middle School in Cedar
Rapids, IA. He is originally from Pella, IA and graduated
Brown, Roxane from University of Northern Iowa. He has previously
Interactive Morning. Message Kindergarten Teacher, taught for Chicago Public Schools and Minneapolis
Seton Catholic School Public Schools. Outside of work Jason enjoys spending
Roxane Brown is a first year Kindergarten Teacher at time with his three children, Cecilia, Finnian and Eloise,
Seton Catholic school In Peosta, Iowa. She graduated and wife, Michelle.
from Loras College with a degree in Elementary Education Drummey, Ed.D, Sandra
and in 2000, completed her reading endorsement through
Understanding Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
Clarke University. She received training in Reading
Senior Vice President for Leader & Teacher Development,
Recovery and Michael Heggerty Phonemic Awareness
ADAC
lessons. She has over 30 years of teaching experience.
Brown retired from the Dubuque Community School A lifelong special education practitioner, Sandi has
District in June of 2021. During my years in the Dubuque served as a teacher, vice-principal, and principal. As
school system, she taught art, Title I reading, Reading an administrator, she established special education
Recovery, and co-taught 3rd grade and kindergarten. centers, and as the Assistant Superintendent of Catholic
Prior to teaching in Dubuque, she taught 2nd grade at Schools in the Diocese of Fall River, she oversaw the
St. Mary Elementary School in East Dubuque, Illinois. creation and implementation of a first-of-its-kind
diocesan-wide special education program. Sandi holds
Dean, Katie a bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University, a master’s
An Incomplete Guide to Mental Health with our Students degree from Boston College, and a doctoral degree
School Counselor, Mazzuchelli from Boston College.
Kate Dean is in her 15th year at Mazzuchelli Catholic
Middle School in Dubuque, IA. The first 9 years were
Ellis, Dawn
spent as an 8th grade Language Arts, Religion and Social Wellness Teacher, Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School
Studies teacher, and has served as the School Counselor Teacher for over 20 years, taught for Mazzuchelli since
for the past six years. She loves spending time with her 2005, wellness teacher for 11 years.
husband and five children, although quiet time is also
a nice retreat. Goldsmith, Mike
Creating New Classes: Triumphs and Pitfalls Social
Digmann, Anthony Studies/Theology Teacher, Xavier High School
Made for Holiness: A Catholic Introduction to Demons and Mike Goldsmith has been teaching in Catholic schools
Exorcism - Spiritual Warfare Essentials Catholic Speaker, for 30 years, the last 24 of them at Xavier High School
Author & Educator, Beckman Catholic High School in Cedar Rapids. It was his privilege to teach all four of
Enthusiastic, faithful to the Magisterium, and passionate- his children. He and his wife Pam are active members
ly Catholic, Anthony Digmann is a husband and father of a of St. Matthew’s Parish in Cedar Rapids. His goal is to
young family and a Passionately Catholic YouTuber, do whatever he can to help his students get to heaven.
19Haefner, Brenda Kaiser, Geoffrey
Strategic Planning Vice President for Development Spreading Joy Through Humor Principal, Marquette
& Alumni Relations, Mount Mercy University Catholic Schools
Brenda Haefner joined her alma mater, Mount Mercy Geoffrey Kaiser has been the principal at Marquette
University as Vice President for Development and Alumni Catholic since the summer of 2015. Prior to that,
Relations in May of 2015. Brenda holds a bachelor’s he served Messmer Catholic Schools in Milwaukee’s
degree from Mount Mercy in business administration, central-city for 6 years as a teacher and administrator.
which she earned as a non-traditional student while He sometimes plays in a cover band, likes to walk up big
working full-time. In addition, Brenda earned her Certi- hills, and has three young sons with his wife, Kelsey.
fied Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation in 2004 If you want to know more about him, ask her.
and continues to teach CFRE preparation classes in
our community. She manages a team of 8 development Kaiser, Kelsey
staff and is passionate about carrying the torch for her God, Sex, & The Meaning of Life Teacher and Work-Based
alma mater. During her tenure at Mount Mercy Brenda Learning in Catholic Schools, Marquette Catholic
has led the charge to have the first named college, the Kelsey Kaiser has taught middle and high school
Martin-Herold College of Nursing and Health and the science, coached cross country and track, served as a
first-ever indoor and outdoor athletic facilities at Mount Pastoral Associate for her parish, and is now spending
Mercy (the Plaster Athletic Complex and the Rinderknecht most of her time at home with her three young boys. She
Athletic Center respectively). Prior to Mount Mercy Brenda is passionate about letting each person she encounters
spent 12 years at The University of Iowa, first as the know their true identity as beloved daughters and sons
Executive Director of Development for the Department of of God, and can be found in her “free time” spreading
Internal Medicine and then as Associate Chair, External/ the truth, beauty, and goodness of Theology of the Body
Internal Relations for the University of Iowa Department with the students at Marquette Catholic in Bellevue,
of Internal Medicine, the largest department within The where her husband serves as the principal.
Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine with over
200 physician faculty and 1000 employees. While at the Kielkucki, Marcel
UI Foundation, Brenda worked with medical alumni, in- Work-Based Learning in Catholic Schools Principal
cluding former residents and fellows, as well as grateful Marcel Kielkucki is the principal of Beckman Catholic
patients to garner private contributions. Brenda secured High School. He has been principal since 2018. Prior
an extraordinary gift of $25M to help create a diabetes to coming to Beckman Catholic, Marcel worked in
research center at The University of Iowa, one of the top adult education and workforce programs at Kirkwood
ten largest gifts in the University’s history. Community College including being a member of the
Regional Workforce Development Board in the Cedar
Holzer, Staci Rapids area.
Student Accommodations/Modifications Instructional
Support Teacher/Classroom Teacher, Immaculate Kilburg, Louren
Conception-Charles City The Little Way of Evangelization for a Dying World
Mrs. Staci Holzer grew up in Osage, Iowa where she attended Religion Teacher, Campus Minister, LaSalle Middle
school. Staci is married to her husband Brad, with three School
children, Will-17, Patrick-14, and Emily-12. Brad works for Louren Kilburg teaches 6-8 grade religion and serves as
Valero and they farm as well. Staci received an AA degree the campus minister at LaSalle Catholic Middle School
from NIACC first. Then went to Buena Vista University in Cedar Rapids. Louren attended Marquette Catholic
on the Mason City campus where she received a B.A. in in Bellevue from preschool through her high school
Elementary Education. She also has endorsements in K-8 graduation before going on to study at the University
Reading, Preschool-Kindergarten, and a Strategist Level 1 of Northern Iowa. The unique spelling of her name is
Special Education. Staci has taught at Immaculate Con- in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes. She loves the Church,
ception in Charles City for 17 years in many roles through- beauty, and ketchup on almost everything.
out the building to best serve the needs of our students. Kilburg, Tricia
Horsfall, Tracey Game Changers in Reading, First Grade Teacher,
Sight Words First Grade Teacher, Seton Catholic School Marquette
Tracey Horsfall has been a first grade teacher at Seton Mrs. Tricia Kilburg holds a double major in elementary
Catholic for 9 years. Prior to that she was a stay at home education and early childhood education as well as a
mom. She substitute taught during that time to stay in the master’s degree in literacy. She currently teaches first
loop in the ever changing education world. In the last 2 grade at Marquette Catholic in Bellevue and serves as
years Tracey has spent time learning about the science of the school’s co-curriculum director. Mrs. Kilburg enjoys
reading and how it can impact all students in the classroom. spending time with her family and creating/designing.
20Konrardy, Kathleen Lueck, Steven
Dyslexia and Orton-Gillingham: Tools for Tomorrow Work-Based Learning in Catholic Schools, Assistant
Principal, Our Lady of Guadalupe Principal, Beckman Catholic High School
Kathleen Konrardy is beginning her first year as the Steven Lueck has served as the assistant principal
principal at Our Lady of Guadalupe Spanish Immersion at Beckman Catholic High School since 2020. Steven
School in Dubuque. Prior to this, she was the Special has been in administration in both public and Catholic
Education Director for Holy Family Catholic Schools, and schools, having worked in a variety of roles including
the special education teacher at Resurrection Elemen- curriculum and student activities. Steven’s goal for
tary before that. Kathleen is also an adjunct professor students is to find ways to be involved.
at Loras College, where she teaches Evaluation and
Diagnosis of Reading Problems. While teaching special
McGrane, Jerry
education at Resurrection, Kathleen became trained in Seeds of the Word: Drawing Catholic Truth From Secular
the Orton-Gillingham methodology, and has shared these Sources
practices with numerous teachers in her area through Theology Department Chair/Campus Minister, Beckman
workshops and recertification courses. Kathleen has a Catholic High School Jerry McGrane has taught theology
masters in Special Education from Morningside College at Beckman Catholic for 23 year and has been the
and an Advanced Studies Certificate in Educational campus minister for 18 of those years. He has also
Leadership from UNI. taught history and economics coaches wrestling. During
the summer he helps train and supervise Totus Tuus
Kuhl, Jim missionaries for the archdiocese.
The Two Arms of Faith Formation MRE, Religion Teacher,
Wahlert Catholic H.S. Meyer, Kari
Jim has taught Religion at Wahlert Catholic High Overview of the Science of Reading
School for 42 years. He is the Chairperson of the Instructional Coach, Seton Catholic School Kari Meyer
Religion Department and is on the Religion and Mission has been in elementary education for 27 years. She
Committee of Holy Family Catholic Schools in Dubuque. was a classroom teacher for 26 years and is currently
Jim is the TEC (Teen Encounter Christ) Coordinator at an instructional coach at Seton Catholic School.
Wahlert Catholic and has been a Kairos Team member. Naber, Matthew
He has been part of Wahlert’s Campus Ministry Depart-
Brain Breaks Math & Science Teacher, Beckman
ment for many years. Jim has spoken at and planned
Catholic High School
Archdiocesan Youth Rallies, retreats, and prayer expe-
riences. He graduated from Loras College and has his Matt Naber has been teaching high school science and
Masters of Religious Education from Loyola University- middle school at Beckman Catholic in Dyersville, IA for
New Orleans. 6 years. He moderates the school’s junior high student
council and math club. In mathematics he has worked
Lehmann, Pat with the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum at the
Social Studies Standards in the Classroom Social middle school level. At all levels and subjects he has
Studies Consultant, Keystone AEA made a commitment to engaging students through
Pat Lehmann is a Keystone school improvement consul- “brain breaks” to build relationships and reset the
tant with an emphasis on social studies and social-emo- learning clock. Matt believes in the teaching philosophy
tional learning. Previous to Keystone, Pat was a middle of “striving”: no one is perfect at anything but everyone
school/high school English teacher, curriculum director, can strive to be better than they once were.
and assistant principal in her 32 years at Beckman Osterhaus, Lynn
Catholic High School
Human Relations, Director for the Archdiocese
Lofte, Abigail of Dubuque
Reimagining the Bishops’ Framework: Identifying Lynn has served as Human Relations Director for the
Student Needs in a Changing World Instructor, Wahlert Archdiocese of Dubuque for the past 15 years. Prior to
Catholic High School Abigail Lofte is a PhD candidate that, Lynn was Vice President of Human Resources for
at the University of Toronto in theology and an instructor national and international manufacturing firms includ-
at Clarke University and in the Religion Department at ing Thermo Fisher (formerly Barnstead International),
Wahlert Catholic High School in Dubuque, Iowa where she Wilbert Inc. and Ertl Company.
primarily teaches Bible and writes curriculum. She leads
Professional Development seminars on catholicity and
universal design for inclusive educational spaces and
recently published an article in the Journal of Religious
Studies and Theology on ecological discipleship.
21Read, Tim Strickrod, Lexsea
Tim Read is a professional children’s’ illustrator Technology in the Classroom K-12 Spanish Teacher,
and graphic designer. He grew up on a small farm in Marquette Catholic
rural Illinois where he dreamed of being an artist. He Lexsea Stickrod is a teacher at Marquette Catholic
doesn’t remember a time when he wanted to be any- Schools in Bellevue, Iowa. She is currently in her 8th
thing else. His ability to capture the silly nature of his year of teaching Spanish to preschool through 12th
subjects served him well over the years as a caricatur- grade students at Marquette. Throughout her teaching
ist, cartoonist, and children’s illustrator. Read’s artistic career, Lexsea has had the opportunity to work with a
intention is to use his creative gifts to bring a smile diverse group of students. Prior to teaching Spanish at
to the faces of his audience. Marquette, she taught English as a Second Language
Professionally, he has created illustrations since the in Dubuque, Iowa for 1 year and at a low-income school
Eighties for print and web clients across the United in Wichita, Kansas for almost 5 years. She continues to
States. In 2012, Read published the first title of his serve a few ESL students at local public schools. In her
popular kids book series, My Very Silly Monster. His classroom, she always strives to keep the content fun
skills as a children’s illustrator soon became highly and engaging, often using technology to achieve that
sought-after in the self-publishing market. goal. She frequently uses technology at the elementary,
Read has created several murals at schools and middle and high school level with games and other
libraries across the Midwest. He lives in Ames, IA, with interactive websites. In addition to teaching Spanish,
his wife and four children. When he is not in his studio, Lexsea is a mom of three, coaches junior high volleyball
Read volunteers for local scouting, his children’s school, and track, is a Cub Scout leader, leads a crafting club
and his family parish. He is an avid volunteer for his at school and volunteers for her community whenever
parish, Saint Cecilia church and school. Some of his possible.
recent works include the rebranding of the church and Sturm, Melissa
school logo and several marketing projects. Read travels Flipped Classroom and Competency Based Education
to schools and libraries speaking to students about the (CBE) Teacher Leader, Marquette Catholic School
importance of creativity and literacy.
Melissa Sturm has been in education for 16 years,
http://www.timread.com/
mostly as a high school Mathematics teacher. She
Richard, Sarah taught 2 years at Beckman Catholic in Dyersville, IA,
Emergent Reading Kindergarten Teacher, then moved to Bellevue, IA where she began teaching
Seton Catholic School middle school and high school Math at Marquette
Sarah Richard graduated with an Elementary Education Catholic. She taught all levels of Math at Marquette for
degree in 2016 from Loras College. In May 2022, she 10 years, and moved into her current position as Teacher
will finish her Master’s degree with an endorsement for Leader at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. She
English as a Second Language (ESL) from Morningside continues to teach AP Calculus, but now also assists the
University. Sarah has taught kindergarten for five years principal, with work on the Development, Marketing, and
at Seton Catholic. Sarah has had fun being part of a Enrollment team, mentor teachers, assist lead teachers
team with some of the teachers who taught her when she with student discipline, grades, and attendance, and
attended Seton as a student. Sarah loves to learn how organize schedules for the K-12 system.
to best help students read and write with the science
of reading as a foundation.
Sanderman, Mandie
Science Standards Consultant for Science, Central
Rivers AEA
Mandie is a consultant for science at Central Rivers AEA.
Seymour, Erin
Virtues in the Classroom, Second-Grade Teacher,
Saint Joseph Catholic School Marion
Erin Seymour, has been a teacher for over 20 years, www.firefoundationneiowa.org
currently teaching second-grade at St. Joseph in Marion. Our mission is to provide children with
Seymour has moved a lot and taught in 4 states. She special needs the opportunity for an
grew up in Peoria, IL and went to Eastern Illinois inclusive Catholic education.
University. Seymour enjoys sports, reading books,
and unicorns!
22Thank you for the lessons that
you taught, even when they didn't
go as planned, but you pushed
through anyway.
Thank you for showing
so much love for students,
especially in the most unlovely
of circumstances.
Thank you for sharing your faith
and for praying with us each day,
even though you know you are
imperfect and are on your own
faith journey.
Thank you for laughing at yourself,
but for never laughing at us.
Thank you for all of the times that
our imperfections made you want
to perfect yourself to be so many
things for so many of us.
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