UW-Madison Tutor Development Conference

11:15 to 11:45 am: Lunch – Symphony 

11:45 am to 12:00 pm: Welcome – Symphony

12:00 to 12:50 pm: Keynote with Mike Steele – Symphony

Mike Steele is a Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Educational Studies in Teachers College at Ball State University. He is a Past President of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, current director-at-large of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and editor of the journal Mathematics Teacher Educator. A former middle and high school mathematics and science teacher, Dr. Steele has worked with preservice secondary mathematics teachers, practicing teachers, administrators, and doctoral students across the country for the past two decades. He has published several books and journal articles focused on developing mathematics teacher knowledge and supporting teachers in enacting research-based effective mathematics teaching practices. He is the co-author of NCTM’s Taking Action: Implementing Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices in Grades 6-8, The 5 Practices in Practice: Successfully Orchestrating Mathematics Discussions in Your High School Classroom, Transform your Math Class using Asset-Based Teaching, and several other research-based professional development resources for secondary mathematics teachers. He is also the author of A Quiet Revolution: One District’s Story of Radical Curricular Change in Mathematics, a resource focused on reforming high school mathematics teaching and learning.

12:50 to 1:00 pm: Break

1:00 to 1:45 pm: Choose a Session

• Tutoring Chemistry 103 and 104 – Symphony 
  • Attend this session if you’re tutoring Chemistry 103 or 104 this fall. Tracey Reitz, Director of the Chemistry Learning Center, will share strategies for staying on top of course content, anticipating challenges from students, and effectively leading small group and drop in sessions.
• Mike Steele – Overture
  • It’s easy to look at tutoring and teaching as identifying gaps in students’ understandings and filling those with our knowledge. But research tells us this is not an effective approach. Asset-based approaches to tutoring and teaching allow us to identify what students do know and build new understandings onto their prior knowledge. This talk describes the core tenets of an asset-based approach to tutoring and illustrate how questioning and discourse can be key assets in a tutor’s toolkit.
• Breaking the Bias Habit – Concerto
  • Being a student is challenging enough without being made to feel like you don’t belong, or can’t cut it academically. In this hands-on workshop, participants will engage in experiential activities to practice how to interrupt bias and microaggressions, to in turn support students’ sense of belonging. Session learning outcomes include: (1) learning and practicing a simple process for interrupting bias and microaggressions, and (2) reflecting on key takeaways. Activities will include: (1) welcome & introductions, (2) overview of Learning for Justice’s framework for interrupting bias*, (3) using an applied improv approach to practice addressing bias and microaggressions, (4) Q&A, and (5) reflecting on key takeaways.

1:45 to 1:55 pm: Break

1:55 to 2:40 pm: Choose a Session

• Use and Caution of AI – Symphony
  • This session examines the cautious integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in tutoring. We’ll discuss practical ways AI can assist tutors in enhancing student engagement while also addressing the potential risks and ethical concerns.This session is designed for tutors at all levels of AI familiarity, offering practical tips and considerations for thoughtful implementation.
• Repetition in Learning and How the Mind Works – Overture
  • Join Dr. Andrew Lokuta for a brief introduction to brain function and an appreciation of why some study strategies are more powerful than others. Specifically, the session will discuss how memories are formed and retrieved.  This information directly impacts the advice and assistance that tutors and academic coaches should be providing to their students. Repetition and memorization are the default basis of learning for our students. Attendees will better understand how these are both useful and limiting practices for mastery of academic content. Neuroscience research has revealed that there are more powerful ways to learn and remember. This information forms the basis of a toolbox filled with new study strategies that can be discussed and recommended to students. 
• How Tutoring Intersects with Mental Wellness – Concerto
  • Join Dr. Kathy Wierzchowski to explore the ways mental wellness impacts current students and their experience on campus. This session will focus on ways mental wellness can impact how students show up to class, interact with peers, and focus on learning.

2:40 to 3:30 pm: Individual Learning Center Time

• ACTS – Overture
• Housing – Symphony
• ULC – Concerto