Annually, all district homeless liaisons are required to attend a refresher training on the McKinney-Vento Act and the duties of the district homeless liaisons.  This training satisfies that compliance requirement.  Topics will include review of the McKinney-Vento Act, identification and eligibility, what to look for in existing students, student rights, identification of barriers and how to remove those barriers, school of origin, transportation, set-aside funds and allowable costs, dispute process, migrant education, resources, forms, and a question/answer period.

In addition, identifying homeless students continues to be a challenge for all of us, and we know the critical role front office staff plays in this process.  As such, I invite each of you to bring one member of your front office staff from each building to the training.  Please take advantage of this.

Jim Kestner will present his nationally recognized program in a high-energy session dedicated to helping experienced teachers address a wide range of classroom management issues. Teachers who attend will find strategies that lead students to make good choices, replacing controlling behaviors with strategies that lead students to monitor and take responsibility for their own behavior. Specifically, the session will address the following: * What teachers should know about teaching Generation Z * Developing character-based discipline * Addressing common challenging behaviors * Difference between controlling behaviors and building good decision-making skills * Consistency * Developing and implementing effective classroom policies * Establishing a character-building classroom environment * Teaching self-respect, self-discipline, and responsibility * Self-esteem vs. self-respect * Grading systems that encourage student effort and engagement * Assessing student behavior * Parent and administrator involvement   Registration closes Oct. 15 at 4:00 p.m. Time will be given for lunch (on your own).

 

Anxiety is a major issue inside and outside the classroom. Join Dr. Brandy Hempen in examining different ways to address anxiousness and strategies that can be used to reduce and even prevent it from occurring in the first place. All grade levels and subject areas will benefit from this workshop because the strategies are open-ended and widespread in their use. Classroom management techniques are highlighted in a way to surely help your students better navigate difficult or uncomfortable situations with confidence.   Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event date.

This free virtual workshop, facilitated by Emily Flach of the Illinois LTC, is for Social Studies teachers ready to harness AI for critical inquiry and dynamic engagement. Get hands-on with AI to differentiate primary source analysis, generate diverse perspectives on complex events, create interactive "interviews" with historical figures, and simulate civic dilemmas and debates. Discover practical ways AI can deepen disciplinary concepts and inquiry skills by helping students identify issues, pose questions, and weigh evidence. Critically, we'll address AI's profound impact on media literacy, examining how it can both democratize information and inadvertently shape historical and civic narratives. You'll gain strategies to empower students to critically evaluate AI-generated information, identify bias, promote academic integrity, and protect data, leaving you with actionable ideas to transform your classroom. A virtual link will be sent out prior to the event date. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

Do your students with difficulties in reading, math, or writing also struggle to stay on task, complete work, find their supplies, and turn in homework, even when it's complete? Learn about the overlap between Executive Functioning skills and learning disabilities in this session, which walks participants through supporting the student's executive functioning skills, from writing their IEP goal to strategies for implementing Specially Designed Instruction for related skills. The session will highlight specific strategies for individual students, as well as modifications for teaching these skills in whole or small groups. Presenter: Laura Arnold, M.A., CCC-SLP/L Laura Arnold is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Region 6 Specialist for the SLD Support Project with over 15 years of experience dedicated to supporting diverse learners. Expert in screening, diagnosing, and designing evidence-based interventions, Laura bridges clinical expertise with educational leadership. Recently, she co-developed the project's Science of Learning Microcredential and leads targeted professional development for educators and paraprofessionals alike. Her work is anchored in the belief that equipping educators with evidence-based practices is the key to unlocking optimal outcomes for students of all abilities. Registration closes 10/24/26 at 4:00 p.m.

Effective communication is a cornerstone of effective leadership.  This session will focus on helping administrators, and other leaders, create an effective, productive, and positive framework for engaging in difficult conversations.  Whether it be in person, on the phone, or through email, specific strategies and real-life examples will be shared to help increase confidence and lower stress while most effectively engaging with colleagues, parents, students, and others.  These practical strategies, shared by veteran administrator Rich Bickel, have been proven to foster effective communication, promote a positive school climate, and best of all can be implemented immediately.

  Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event date.

What gets teenagers to actually care about learning? This roundtable-style session is a space to share what’s working, troubleshoot what’s not, and learn from one another. Join Erin Shook as we explore research-backed strategies for increasing motivation, engagement, and buy-in in secondary classrooms while tapping into the collective experience and ideas of the educators in the room. Come ready to share, problem-solve, and leave with new ideas to try. Registration for this event closes 11/6 at 4:00 p.m.

Parents who work in education often carry two full-time roles: supporting students all day and caring for their own families at home. Over time, this constant giving creates a burnout loop: pushing through exhaustion, feeling guilty for being depleted, and continuing to overextend because it feels like the only option. In this session, participants will learn how to break that loop through three key shifts: awareness, interruption, and identity. Attendees will hear insights and real-world reflections from Erin Shook, a veteran educator and mom of four who has lived this cycle firsthand and supports other educator parents in creating more sustainable ways to work and live.   A virtual link will be shared with you prior to the event. Registration for this event closes Friday, November 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.