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Learning Presentation
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Educator of the year in Wisconsin for Learning Blade, Michelle Hayes will talk about how Learning Blade is used in the classroom, and what impacts she has seen for her students. She will talk about implementation, and what success looks like using this FREE resource! Joined by Phil Punzel, Executive Director of Fox Valley Lutheran Schools he will share the administrator side of Learning Blade and what his teachers have experienced. Both the admin and teacher benefits will be shared by Wisconsin educators, and you will leave with a resource you can implement tomorrow!
PRESENTER: Gio Torres
Giovanni Torres is the State Manager for Learning Blade, where he partners with educators, districts, and state leaders across Wisconsin to expand access to career-connected STEM learning opportunities. With a background in educational leadership, customer success, and instructional technology, he helps schools implement solutions that improve student outcomes and educator success.
Before joining Learning Blade, Giovanni served as a mathematics educator and Assistant Principal, giving him firsthand experience in both classroom instruction and school leadership. He holds degrees in Mathematics Education and Educational Leadership and is passionate about STEM education, workforce readiness, and preparing students for future careers.
PRESENTER: Phil Punzel
Phil Punzel has dedicated more than 31 years to education. He earned his bachelor's degree in education from Martin Luther College and a master's degree in educational leadership from Wisconsin Lutheran College. Throughout his career, he has served students and families across PreK–12 schools in Appleton and Onalaska, Wisconsin.
As principal of Luther High School, Phil led efforts to expand career and technical education opportunities, helping launch Industry 4.0, metals, and CNC courses aligned with Western Technical College programs. He currently serves as Executive Director of Fox Valley Lutheran Schools, where he continues to champion innovative educational pathways and workforce readiness initiatives.
Phil is passionate about helping middle and high school students explore career opportunities and connect their education to future success.
PRESENTER: Michelle Hayes
Michelle Hayes is a middle school teacher at Immanuel Lutheran School in Greenville, Wisconsin, where she has taught for fourteen years. She works with approximately ninety students across multiple subjects, including English Language Arts, math, and social studies, bringing a cross-disciplinary approach to her classroom.
She uses Learning Blade to connect core subjects to real-world careers through interactive, career-focused missions. Students engage in activities that mirror real job tasks while strengthening skills like reading comprehension, and they are able to explore topics based on their individual interests, increasing engagement and ownership of learning.