530-180 Strategic Data Analysis: Lunch and Learn with ECRA and CESA 2
Description
Schedule:
- May 1, 2026: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm CT
Location: In-Person at CESA 2
Price: Free
Content Questions: Valerie Schmitz (valerie.schmitz@cesa2.org)
Registration Questions: events@cesa2.org
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About this event: CESA 2 is proud to partner with ECRA to bring member districts a more efficient, evidence-based approach to school improvement through a collaboration with CESA Purchasing. This lunch and learn will introduce district leaders to the partnership and highlight how it connects statewide research, local district data analytics, and structured professional development to support stronger decision-making and measurable student outcomes.
Participants will learn how the partnership provides Wisconsin-specific analysis, access to ECRA’s School Improvement application, guided professional learning opportunities, and ongoing support from ECRA’s research and analytics team. The session will also explore how CESA 2 and ECRA are working together to help districts build long-term capacity for continuous improvement and strengthen data-informed leadership.
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About the Presenters:
John Gatta, Ph.D. is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ECRA Group. In addition to his responsibilities at ECRA Group, John is an Associate Professor of statistics, predictive analytics, and machine learning at Northwestern University, where he served as Director of Research for 12 years. Dr. Gatta has been the recipient of local and national awards such as educator of the year from Northwestern University and statistician of the year from the American Statistical Association for excellence in the teaching of statistics and data science. He has publications in both the education and healthcare sectors.
His unique blend of academic, technical, management, and leadership experience gives him keen insights into how schools can best adopt research and analytics as a core strategy for quality improvement. As CEO of ECRA Group, Dr. Gatta serves as chief architect of ECRA’s analytic infrastructure related to data structures, prediction algorithms, and reporting.
Valerie Schmitz, PhD, EdD is the Senior Director of Continuous Improvement & Data Analysis at CESA 2, where she leads regional efforts in educator development including the New Teacher Center, data analysis, and school and district improvement planning. In this role, Valerie supports districts with the implementation of the Wisconsin Educator Effectiveness System, continuous improvement frameworks, and the use of data for equity-focused decision-making. She brings deep expertise in instructional design, systems analysis, and educational leadership, guiding schools and districts through meaningful, sustainable improvement processes.
Valerie holds a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Instructional Design for Online Learning, an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, and dual M.Ed. degrees in Technology Education and Educational Leadership. Her work is grounded in a commitment to data-informed practice and instructional innovation that supports both educator growth and student success.
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