Events

Free for all - Presented by SLDSP (Specific Learning Disabilities Support Program) Characteristics of students with dyscalculia in grades PreK-8 will be discussed. The content in the presentation will center on assisting students who have not mastered foundational math skills. Brain science behind the research will be explored and explained. Best practices for students struggling in math will be highlighted. Audience: Pre-K-8th general and special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators A link will be sent out prior to the event date. Note registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

Expectations about student writing in K-12 have changed dramatically in recent years. State standards now require teachers at nearly all grade levels to ensure that students learn to write not just traditional narratives, but also informational and argumentative pieces. The standards, however, don’t explain how to reach those goals. Teachers and students need a roadmap, and that’s just what The Writing Revolution (TWR)—also known as The Hochman Method—provides. While we need more research on how to teach writing effectively, the existing research supports TWR’s approach: deliberate practice of specific techniques, followed by targeted feedback. TWR offers a clear, coherent method of instruction for any subject or grade level that turns struggling writers into strong communicators, deepens their understanding of content, and develops their analytical abilities. The Writing Revolution’s method enables educators to teach writing skills and content simultaneously. There’s no separate writing class and no separate writing curriculum. Instead, teachers of all subjects adapt the strategies and activities to preexisting curriculum and weave them into their content instruction. Participants must purchase the book on their own, read it at their leisure, and submit a brief reflection via Padlet after each chapter. Join Charlene Heggemeier, Millstadt #160 Curriculum and Instruction Coach who will facilitate two virtual meetings on January 8 and February 5 (4:00-5:00pm) to discuss what you have learned. Who should attend? Instructional coaches, general and special education educators of all subjects, and administrators.  Participants must attend both virtual sessions and submit all requirements to earn full PD credit (14 hours), partial pd will not be issued.

Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

Whether you're new to special education or you’ve been doing it for years the goal writing process can be a tedious one.  Join Mascoutah # 19 Instructional Coach Shannon Knolhoff as we walk through a step by step process of writing strong present levels that will then lend itself to selecting a goal, determining success criteria, and finally developing the stepping stones (aka objectives) to achievement.  Participants will work through a current goal of their own to determine if it is SMART and make changes when necessary.

  Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

Congratulations on your very important role in a child's life!  Are you thinking...there is quite a bit your college professors didn't tell you? Here we will discuss many different special education tips and tricks in grades 6-12. We can talk about our favorite four-letter word, DATA! Many free resources can help make your data collection easier as this interactive session is led by Mae Scott, Special Educator from Triad School District.  A link will be sent to participants prior to the event date.   Registration will close 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

  PD Co-op member districts $155.00, Non PD Co-op member districts $ 185.00 (Lunch included on site) Administrators who evaluate teachers must demonstrate a high rate of inter-rater reliability and communicate evaluation outcomes in constructive and supportive ways. Administrators who evaluate teachers must also recognize and control for bias when conducting an evaluation and determining results. School districts in Illinois must provide professional development to administrators to strengthen these skills on a sustained basis. This course focuses on Domains 2 and 3 of the Charlotte Danielson 2013 Framework for Teaching. This course requires participants to view teaching, record data according to the Professional Practice rubric, and craft evaluation conferences that are both constructive and supportive. Participants will also be expected to have a high degree of inter-rater reliability when they determine a final rating based on the evidence gathered during the observations. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

Join your fellow Instructional Coaches in this first symposium of 2024. Dr. Tim Bono of Washington University will facilitate 2 mini sessions (Science of Happiness & Building Trust).  The first session will review some of his favorite studies from his popular course on the Science of Happiness and outline simple research-based strategies we can all incorporate into our lives to become just a little happier every day. In particular, we’ll dispel some of the myths around the pursuit of happiness and delve into the behaviors and mindsets that are capable of bringing sustainable gains in our day-to-day well-being. What the happiest and most successful organizations all have in common boils down to one single variable: Trust. When we trust those around us, we are positioned to optimize our productivity and well-being—both as individuals and as teams overall. Building trust, of course, requires thinking not only of what is in the best interest of an individual staff member or individual department, but more broadly about what is good for the larger organization, school, or district. This highly interactive session pairs up all participants in an activity demonstrating that cooperation (even when it causes initial inconvenience or extra work) can end up benefiting everyone (including the individual staff/department) in the long run.   The afternoon of the symposium will be spent networking, collaborating, problem solving and sharing resources as related to the coaching position.   Registrations close 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

Join Lori Griffith, Instructional Coach Bethalto # 8 as she shares how K-5 standardized report cards can effectively serve students with Individualized Education Programs (IEP). The objectives of this session encompass:

• A comprehensive look at how standardized report cards function for students with IEPs.
• The alignment of IEP goals with grade-level standards and report cards.
• Exploring grade-level pacing guides to ensure students with IEPs are on track.
• Strategies for selecting standards that can be differentiated to match individual IEP goals.
• Providing sample assessments that align with these standards.

  Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

Join your fellow Principals in this breakaway as we welcome Dr. Tim Bono from Washington University. Dr. Tim Bono of Washington University will facilitate 2 mini sessions (Science of Happiness & Building Trust).  The first session will review some of his favorite studies from his popular course on the Science of Happiness and outline simple research-based strategies we can all incorporate into our lives to become just a little happier every day. In particular, we’ll dispel some of the myths around the pursuit of happiness and delve into the behaviors and mindsets that are capable of bringing sustainable gains in our day-to-day well-being. What the happiest and most successful organizations all have in common boils down to one single variable: Trust. When we trust those around us, we are positioned to optimize our productivity and well-being—both as individuals and as teams over all. Building trust, of course, requires thinking not only of what is in the best interest of an individual staff member or individual department, but more broadly about what is good for the larger organization, school, or district. This highly interactive session pairs up all participants in an activity demonstrating that cooperation (even when it causes initial inconvenience or extra work) can end up benefiting everyone (including the individual staff/department) in the long run.   Attendees will have time afterwards to collaborate, problem solve, network and share resources as related to their positions. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

Join OTHS # 203 Principal Rich Bickel, O’Fallon Township High School Principal/former ISBE Teacher of the Year Finalist as he shares strategies and information to assist you in the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year.

This session will focus on effective professional practices within the four domains of the Danielson-based model, from a practical, down to earth, every-day perspective.  From planning and preparation, to establishing a positive and effective classroom environment, to effective instructional practices, to fulfilling professional responsibilities, the approaches, imperatives, and strategies discussed will be able to be put to use immediately to enhance teaching performance no matter how many years you have been in the classroom.

  Registration closes 4 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.