Phone: (847) 596-5622
Email: tshrode@dist50.net
Teaching & Learning
The Department of Teaching and Learning oversees all aspects of teaching and students learning Kindergarten through 8th Grade in all subject areas. The Department also oversees specialized programs, such as services for English Language Learners, Dual Language and Advanced Academics in math and reading. The Department coordinates professional development, manages and reports on multiple assessment systems and coordinates numerous activities with the Illinois State Board of Education for reporting requirements and supplemental funding methods.
Assessments
If you have any questions about assessments at Woodland please contact Dr. Trisha Shrode at tshrode@dist50.net or at (847) 596-5622.
Department Resources
Below are links and documents related to the Teaching and Learning Department.
Curriculum Profiles
The curriculum profiles are a summary of the content students will learn throughout the school year.
eLearning Day Support
Department Staff
Dr. Trisha Shrode - Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning
Dr. Victoria Kieffer - Director of Teaching and Learning
Phone: (847) 596-5620
Email: vkieffer@dist50.net
Dr. Victoria Kieffer is the Director of Teaching and Learning for Woodland. Her career in education started in 1996 as a 7th grade middle school language arts and social studies teacher at Wauconda Middle School and Twin Groves Middle School in Buffalo Grove, IL.
After five years of teaching, she started her administrative career at Woodland District 50 as a Curriculum Supervisor. Later, in 2006, Victoria became an Assistant Principal at Woodland Elementary East and West. Woodland Elementary East was her home as Assistant Principal for the last three years before leaving Woodland.
In 2012, Dr. Kieffer became the Principal at Townline Elementary School in Vernon Hills, IL. After serving as Principal for six years, she returned to Woodland District 50 as the Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning.
Dr. Kieffer holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago awarded in 2010. She also has a Masters of Education degree in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in the Teaching of English. Both degrees were completed at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Dr. Kieffer is passionate about active learning strategies, student engagement, supporting teachers of all stages in their career and reading current educational articles. In her spare time, Victoria enjoys kayaking, cruising and traveling the world.
Elizabeth Sanchez Szepesi - Director of Language Acquisition
Phone: (847) 596-5623
Email: eszepesi@dist50.net
Our Director of Language Acquisition
Elizabeth A. Sanchez Szepesi joined Woodland School District in 2014, following 4 years of service as Associate Principal for Hawthorn School District 73. Her career began as a bilingual 2nd grade teacher for Waukegan School District 60 and then as a middle school bilingual teacher for Gurnee School District 56.
Mrs. Sanchez Szepesi grew up in Ohio and received her Bachelor of Arts in Zooology from Miami University of Ohio. During this time she lived and studied abroad in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and earned her minor in Spanish. She is passionate about education, bilingualism, and bi-literacy. She returned to school receiving her 2nd undergraduate degree in education and a masters in education from Rockford College. She holds her 2nd masters degree in Leadership in Education from Benedictine University.
Mrs. Sanchez Szepesi believes in equality, shared ownership, and shared leadership. She believes it is important to raise and educate students to have cultural competency in order to be successful, productive members of a global society. She leads by valuing students and families’ native language and culture while striving towards high achievement.
Valerie Morey - English as a Second Language Coordinator
Phone: (847) 596-5626
Email: vmorey@dist50.net
Angela Walker - Technology Integration Specialist
Phone: (847) 596-5625
Email: awalker@dist50.net
Mrs. Angela Walker is the Technology Integration Specialist for the district. Mrs. Walker started her career in education in 1999 as a third grade teacher at Woodland District 50. Three years later, she became a 4th grade teacher when the current Intermediate building opened in Gurnee. Later after 15 years of teaching, she joined the Teaching & Learning Department becoming the Technology Integration Specialist for all five buildings.
Mrs. Walker holds a Masters of Arts in Educational Technology Leadership from Concordia University in grades K-9. She also holds a second Masters degree from Bradley University in Curriculum and Instruction, a B.A. in English Literature from Hampton University in Virginia, and teaching certification in grades K-9.
Angela looks forward to new challenges and opportunities while striving to achieve best practice technology infusion into teaching and learning with high energy. Some of Angela's favorite pastimes are reading, eating ice cream, and discovering creative ways to assist teachers in meeting their learning and productivity goals.
Jodi Stough - Department Secretary
Phone: (847) 596-5622
Email: jstough@dist50.net