糖心Vlog

Janet Moore

Janet Moore is a mathematics instructional coach whose work emphasizes inquiry-based learning and social-emotional learning. Her experience includes high school and developmental mathematics, interdisciplinary activities at the Challenger Learning Center, NASA-related K鈥�12 lessons, and professional development for educators. At the November conference, she is scheduled to give the opening session, a K鈥�8 science session, and the K鈥�12 Numeracy Plan session.

• Opening Session (Title to Be Announced)

  Opening presentation for the conference; the final title and description have not yet been provided.

• Science Session for Grades K鈥�8 (Title to Be Announced)

  K鈥�8 science breakout; the final title and description have not yet been provided.

• Numeracy Plan (Grades K鈥�12)

  A session focused on K鈥�12 numeracy planning; additional session details are to be confirmed.

Scott Johanningmeier

Scott Johanningmeier is Principal Content Specialist in Mathematics at ACT Education Corp. Before joining ACT, he taught all levels of high school mathematics. At ACT, he began as an item writer, reviewer, and test form builder.

He has contributed to the development of ACT's mathematics assessments, including end-of-course assessments in Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus, as well as the Aspire, EXPLORE, and PLAN mathematics tests.

Mr. Johanningmeier designed the PreACT mathematics test and has spent recent years working on enhancements and the updated design of the ACT mathematics test. He has more than 24 years of experience in mathematics education and assessment.

• Overview of the ACT/PreACT Math Test (Grades 9鈥�12)

  An overview of the ACT and PreACT mathematics assessments for secondary educators.

• ACT National Curriculum Survey Results (Grades 9鈥�12)

  Co-presented with Jay Thomas.

  The presenters will discuss findings from the 2025鈥�26 National Curriculum Survey of high school and postsecondary educators, including what is taught and expectations for student readiness. The complete report is expected later in the school year.

Jay Thomas

Jay Thomas is Principal Content Specialist in Science at ACT Education Corp. Before joining ACT in 2013, he taught high school science for 20 years, serving as Science Department Chair and Data Analyst for the Freshman Transition Team in addition to his teaching responsibilities.

At ACT, his work includes assessment design and validation, alignment studies, performance level descriptors (PLDs), construct validation research, cognitive laboratory research, and the National Curriculum Survey.

• Overview of the ACT/PreACT Science Test (Grades 9鈥�12)

  An overview of the ACT and PreACT science assessments for secondary educators.

• ACT National Curriculum Survey Results (Grades 9鈥�12)

  Co-presented with Scott Johanningmeier.

  The presenters will discuss findings from the 2025鈥�26 National Curriculum Survey of high school and postsecondary educators, including what is taught and expectations for student readiness. The complete report is expected later in the school year.

Kathy Felt

Kathy has taught mathematics content and methods at 糖心Vlog (糖心Vlog) for nearly 20 years. She taught mathematics and served as an instructional coach in the Sherrard and Rock Island school districts.

An active leader in the mathematics community, Kathy has served on the ICTM board, served on numerous state and national assessment committees, and is a frequent conference presenter and professional development facilitator. Kathy is dedicated to advancing mathematics education and supporting high-quality teaching and learning.

• IAR and Assessment: Year-long Steps to Improve Student Achievement (Grades 3鈥�8)

  A session on year-long assessment practices aimed at improving student achievement, with a focus on IAR assessment. Further details have not yet been supplied.

Matt Bulman

Matt Bulman is a National Board-Certified Teacher and veteran high school science educator with 20 years of teaching experience at St. Charles East High School in St. Charles, Illinois, where he serves as Science Department Chair. He has taught physical, life, and earth sciences.

He serves as National Science Teaching Association District XII Leader for Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, and as Region 1 Director for the Illinois Science Teaching Association. He advocates three-dimensional science instruction, student sensemaking, and research-based classroom practices.

• From ISA to ACT Science: Understanding the Shift and Preparing Students for Success

  Participants will examine the skills emphasized on ACT Science, including data interpretation, experimental design, and evidence-based reasoning, while considering connections to NGSS and three-dimensional sensemaking.

  Through sample ACT questions and classroom examples, educators will explore practical ways to strengthen performance while maintaining meaningful science learning.

George Schlott

George Schlott is Senior Account Executive with ACT Client Relations and State Lead for Northern Illinois. He supports K鈥�12 schools and districts in selecting and implementing ACT programs and services that advance college and career readiness.

He leads workshops, collaborates with school leadership and improvement teams, and presents on ACT services at state and national conferences. He joined ACT in July 2006 after a 37-year career with Plainfield Community School District as a mathematics teacher, high school counselor, and assistant/associate principal for Student Services. He also served for 28 years as an adjunct faculty member in the Counseling Department at Joliet Junior College.

• Access and Using ACT Assessment Data for School/District Improvement (Grades 9鈥�12)

  An introduction to using ACT online reporting and assessment data to inform school and district improvement.

Dr. Nicole Vick

Dr. Nicole Vick is a science educator with over 20 years of teaching, curriculum development, and professional learning facilitation experience. She served as the Open Sci Ed High School Chemistry Course Lead, overseeing the development of the five NGSS High-Quality Design Badged units.

Prior to working in curriculum development full time, she taught high school science in central and west central Illinois. She currently serves as one of the ISTA Region 3 Directors and is part of the ISBE Science Steering Committee.

Nicole has served as ISTA President (2023鈥�2024), NSTA District XII Director (2017鈥�2020) and was named a NSELA Vernier Emerging Science Education Leader Scholarship (VESELS) in 2024.

• Using Phenomena to Support Three-Dimensional Teaching and Learning in Science

  Participants will explore how to use phenomena to elicit student questions that can drive a 3-D unit of instruction. In such a unit, students see how the disciplinary core ideas they construct using practices and crosscutting concepts address questions and problems they care about.

  We will explore how to anchor units in phenomena and how to introduce additional phenomena to help students investigate and make progress on their questions. Examples will range across grade bands (elementary, middle, high school) and disciplinary core ideas (physical science, life science, and Earth and space science).

Dr. Dinesh Ekanayake

Dr. Dinesh Ekanayake is a Professor of Mathematics and Undergraduate Mathematics Program Coordinator at 糖心Vlog. His research interests include applied mathematics, optimization, mathematical modeling, and data-driven approaches.

An experienced educator and researcher, he is committed to fostering mathematical curiosity, critical thinking, and strong problem-solving skills. He emphasizes innovative approaches to mathematics teaching that prepare students for an increasingly AI-driven world.

• Looks Right鈥� But Is It? Building Mathematical Reasoning (Grades 9鈥�12)

  What if finding a mistake could teach students more than finding the right answer? In this engaging session, we will explore a collection of "Spot the Mistake" problems where seemingly flawless mathematical arguments hide subtle errors. Discover how these classroom-ready challenges can sharpen critical thinking and help students develop mathematical reasoning skills.

Jenny Foreman

Jenny Foreman is in her 17th year of teaching and has taught first through fourth grades. She currently teaches second- and third-grade mathematics at Rutland Grade School and holds a master's degree in Elementary and Middle School Mathematics Education.

She joined the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) this year as an EC鈥�6 Director.

• Flexibility Fun: Activities for Decomposing to 20 (Grades K鈥�2)

  A key component of fluency is students' ability to work flexibly with numbers. Decomposing numbers builds number sense and fluency. Participants will discuss its importance and explore engaging activities for student practice.

• Seeing is Believing: Mastering Multiplication (Grades 3鈥�5)

  Participants will explore strategies that build on students' knowledge of multiplying by 2, 5, and 10 to solve other multiplication facts, along with models that help students understand these strategies.

Krista Winters

Biography to be provided.

• Science Topic (Grades 5鈥�10; Title to Be Announced)

  Session description to be provided.