This event will be held at High Mount School (1721 Boul Ave. Swansea) - participants will need to bring a lunch with them to this session. As we prepare to start the 2024-2025 school year, we know that paraprofessionals play a critical role in our classrooms. Whether you are a brand new or experienced paraprofessional, join us in a day of learning with 3 outstanding presenters from our county. Session 1 will be presented by Dr. Emma Cornelius, retired administrator from Cahokia # 187: Strategies to support Paraprofessionals in the classroom. In this session with Dr. Cornelius, paraprofessionals will be able to understand their role and duties as we discuss the transition from caregiver to facilitator of learning. Paraprofessionals will be able to understand the role of assisting with the successful inclusion of students assigned to them. Paraprofessionals will be able to identify ways to celebrate diversity and cultivate a positive mindset.

Session 2 will be presented by Diane Warfield, Administrator for Instructional Support (Belleville Area Special Services Cooperative): What does a paraprofessional do in a Special Education Classroom? Welcome to an in-service training session aimed at preparing paraprofessionals for the field of special education, as well as, expanding the knowledge and skills of those who already work in the field.  Skills and knowledge every paraeducator will need to be able to implement in the classroom and will be covered are Disabilities Overview, Behavioral/De-escalation Strategies, Classroom Duties, Data Collection, Classroom Routines, Related Services, Reinforcement, Resources and Supports

Session 3 will be presented by Reena Hamil, Reading Specialist at Dr. Katie Harper Wright - East St. Louis District # 189: Supporting Literacy in K-8 Classrooms: Activities to Develop Word Recognition, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Spelling. Classroom teachers have limited time to provide at risk students with the amount of direct instruction needed to improve their literacy skills. Paraprofessionals can support teachers by providing one-on-one and/or small group instruction. This workshop is for paraprofessionals in grades K-8 who would like strategies on how they can assist the classroom teacher in word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, and spelling. Paraprofessionals will be provided a brief background on what causes students to struggle to learn to read, learn the three components of word recognition, and practice blending and segmenting activities that help develop reading and spelling. They will also gain an understanding of what it means to be a fluent reader and will be provided strategies that will assist in improving fluency and developing vocabulary.   Spots are limited, registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event date unless tickets are sold out.

  This Administrator Academy is free for all to attend. Academy credit or professional development hours can be issued. Note this academy will be held at the Center for Academic & Vocational Excellence ("CAVE") 7645 Magna Drive, Suite 1 Belleville, IL 62223. This course provides information to school administrators on standards for the conduct, ethics and rights of school personnel. This course discusses the various standards an administrator needs to be aware of in the everyday course of doing their job; including laws, regulations, and mandates for the management of school personnel. If attendees are wanting Academy Credit, administrators must watch 2 of the 4 videos provided and complete and submit the provided application/dissemination on or before Friday August 23, 2024 at 12:00pm Registration closes 8.6.24 at 12:00pm.

This virtual session will give principals and school leaders an overview of various therapeutic interventions that can be used effectively with kids in a school environment to address anxiety, depression, and behavioral concerns.  It will specifically highlight the benefits, challenges, and supports a social worker/counselor will need from their school leadership in order to effectively implement the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  Note: October 22 and 23 our office is hosting a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training for Social Workers and Counselors.  By participating in this virtual session, you will be given an overview of the tw0-day training.  This session is particularly geared towards equipping school administrators with a better understanding of this therapy and to support staff who attend the October training.  Note: administrators are encouraged to attend this session, even if your social worker or school counselor is not able to attend in October.  Other therapy modalities will also be touched on to give administrators an understanding of potential trainings in the future. A virtual link will be provided prior to the event date, registration will close 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

This free virtual session is thanks to the IL SLDS Project.  Participants will learn steps to develop IEP goals based upon data gathered from the classroom setting.  Methods and tools needed to implement, and progress monitor these written goals will be shared.  This information will be presented in order to provide an accurate assessment of student progress and the effectiveness of instruction and interventions within the classroom.   A virtual link will be sent prior to the event date. Registrations close 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

PDC Member Districts $375.00 Non PD Co-op Districts $410.00 (lunch is included on site) This two-day academy is for administrators who are seeking initial training qualification or retraining to be legally qualified to conduct evaluations of principals and assistant principals. The academy provides instruction on implementing a continuous school leader growth model using the School Leader Evaluation Plan, which is based on the School Leader Paradigm developed by the School Leader Collaborative, a group of 14 state principal associations from across the country. The plan is aligned to the Illinois Performance Standards for School Leaders and meets the requirements of 23 Illinois Administrative Code 50 Subpart D: Performance Evaluation Plans: Principals and Assistant Principals.   Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out. Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to the event date or the amount is non-refundable.

This professional development will outline essential skills students need to ensure success on the ACT assessment (approved by ISBE May 2024). This will require schools to transition to the ACT suite of assessments. ACT assesses the following: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science and has an essay component. Staff will benefit from a deeper understanding about how the ACT suite of assessments can inform instruction as well as offer data about potential academic pathways for students. Preparation for the ACT should begin at the start of any high school career. Data from the 8th grade Illinois Assessment of Readiness can serve as a springboard to inspire goals and create a high school schedule.  The differences between SAT and ACT will be discussed so educators can ensure maximum student success and school level accountability to learning. Participants should bring a fully charged laptop to this event. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

This workshop is free thanks to the ISBE SEL Grant. Being in education is a challenging job.  It is normal to fall into burnout and stress.  Get revived with an uplifting workshop that focuses on prioritizing your well-being.  The session is available to ALL teachers and administrators and staff, and will provide tips, strategies, and immediate, hands-on practices.  Learn small ways (and big) to create better habits that support well-being and have huge payoffs.  Designed to be restorative and rejuvenating, light stretching, breathing exercises and other mindfulness techniques will be taught. And these can be used both personally and incorporated in a classroom. Comfortable clothing is encouraged, but NO special physical strength or ability is required. Increase your self-awareness and self-management skills, while learning more about your social/emotional and physical health.  Come enjoy a workshop that is all about increasing feelings of well-being, so you can approach your job and your life with more creativity, enthusiasm, positivity and less stress. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.