The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness ~ Virtual Book Study

Note - the book must be purchased independently and the entire book must be read on or before September 9, 2025.  Registration closes September 3, 2025.  Participants must attend all 4 sessions (no exceptions) and complete the requirements to earn the full 12 pd hours (partial pd hours will not be given). If you are not able to attend all 4 sessions, please do not register. Failure to attend a session will result in a $40.00 invoice and you will be removed from the event.
    • September 9, 2025 (4:00-5:00 p.m.)
      • Focus Areas:  Introductions and Technology
    • September 16, 2025 (4:00-5:00 p.m.)
      • Focus Area:  Play
    • September 23, 2025 (4:00-5:00 p.m.)
      • Focus Area:  Independence
    • September 30, 2025 (4:00-5:00 p.m.)
      • Focus Area:  Overall and Action
Don’t walk but run to get your hands on the book everyone is talking about. Author and social psychologist, Jonathan Haidt, is challenging readers to consider how social media, phones, and a reduction in a “play-based childhood” has “rewired” our youth. Not only does Haidt make a case that parents can do better, but he argues schools can do better. Join St. Clare School Principal Monica Ybarra for four sessions where you will focus on Technology, Play, Independence, and how we can put ideas into action. Important: Participants must purchase the book (The Anxious Generation How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt) independently.  The entire book must be read on or before September 8, 2025.  Book study facilitator, Monica Ybarra will provide questions prior to each session to ensure engaging conversations occur, but also, participants will leave each session with an action plan. Details and virtual links will be sent prior to September 9, 2025.  
Get Tickets Free – $125.00 25 tickets left

Self-Care and Wellness Book Study on Set Boundaries, Find Peace

Whiteside Elementary School 2028 Lebanon Ave, Belleville
This in person book study will meet September 25, 2025 and October 30, 2025 from 3:30-5:30pm at Whiteside Elementary (must attend both sessions) Take some time to invest in yourself at the start of a new school year with a book study dedicated to help yourself set and maintain healthy boundaries. Join Amy Leritz, School Social Worker for Whiteside Elementary, in an interactive and discussion based book study. This PD will be held over 2 sessions. The book, Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab must be read as part of the book study. We’ll be discussing Chapters 1-8 during the first session, and will discuss Chapters 9-15 during the second session. Learn how to become aware of your own boundaries, identify areas of your life where healthier boundaries are needed, and what to do to create and reinforce boundaries. Participants must purchase the book independently (however the ROE will be raffling off 7 copies of the book). Registration closes Friday, September 19 at 12:00pm.
Get Tickets Free – $150.00 29 tickets left

K-12 Instructional Coach/Interventionist Fall Symposium – Lead From In Between

St. Clair ROE IL
This two-day symposium will provide in depth support to instructional coaches, department chairs, behavioral/academic interventionists and team leaders who often find themselves between two worlds - tasked with supporting colleagues on the front lines while also existing in what feels like no man's land between district level and building administration. When educational change happens “to teachers”, coaches and team leaders can step-in as figures of stability and positivity for and with those they serve. Day 1, (8:30am-3:00pm)participants will practice how to create and sustain positive relationships with those they lead. Also, participants will translate their school & district initiatives to achieve the primary objective - increasing student and educator performance and engagement. Day 2 (8:00am-2:30pm) will focus on Brave Conversations: Honest Dialogue & Catalysts for Change As instructional leaders—whether coaches, team leaders, teachers, or administrators—we have the power to be catalysts for transformative growth in our schools. However, this power requires courage. It takes bravery to have honest, constructive conversations with our colleagues and teams, but it is these very conversations that lead to real change and progress.  In this engaging workshop, we will explore how to build trust and cultivate an environment where brave conversations can take place. Participants will learn how to prepare for and plan these crucial discussions, how to frame feedback in a way that promotes positive outcomes, and how to support one another in creating a culture of openness and growth. Through practical strategies, reflective exercises, and real-world examples, we will empower you to step into these challenging yet impactful conversations with confidence. Together, let's be the change our students need. Let’s be brave. Join us for an interactive and inspiring session that will leave you with the tools to lead with courage, authenticity, and impact. Registration includes attendance on both days, partial pd will not be issued. Participants will be given time for lunch (on your own) each day. Registration for this event will close on 9.24.25 at 12:00pm.
Get Tickets Free – $250.00 53 tickets left

K-12 Curriculum Director Roundtable

St. Clair ROE IL
Please join us for our first Curriculum Director Roundtable of the 2025-2026 school year. Whether your role is at the central office, a principal, assistant principal, director, specialist or instructional coach, we welcome everyone to this free event. Beginning of the year district/school updates will be shared along with ample time for questions and resources shared.  This will be followed by ISBE, IARSS, ROE updates.
Get Tickets Free 20 tickets left

AA # 4114 Using Student Growth Data from Diverse Populations in Teacher Evaluation

St. Clair ROE IL
PDC Member District $180.00 Non PDC Member District $200.00 (lunch included on site) Registration closes Friday, September 26. 2025 at 12:00pm. Cancellations must be made by Monday, September 29, 2025 at 3:30pm or the amount will be non-refundable.  Participants will need to bring a fully charged laptop to this event. This one-day academy is designed to provide participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively evaluate student growth as part of teacher performance evaluations. The course focuses on addressing implicit bias, differentiating for equity, and coaching teachers more deeply when evaluating student growth for special education, English learners, & early childhood students. Finally this course will align with the four core competencies outlined in the Part 50 Administrative Rules (50.420) for Teacher Evaluators.
Get Tickets $180.00 – $200.00 40 tickets left

Behavior Interventionist/Coach Roundtable

St. Clair ROE IL
Join your fellow behavior job alike colleagues in the first roundtable of the 2025-2026 school year. As more and more school districts add these critical positions, this time is important for you to build your PLN in and around our county.  Chardae Pearson, Rockwood School District Student Behavior Team Specialist Supervisor will present on the framework used by Rockwood, specifically FBA's/BIPs, supporting staff with the implementation of interventions and data tracking/collecting.  Discussions will be had around these newly created positions, resources, networking and problem solving.  Registration will close 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.
Get Tickets Free 20 tickets left

K-12 Principal Breakaway: Stress & Coping with Workplace Attitudes-Enhancing Leadership & Well-Being

St. Clair ROE IL

As a principal, the challenges of leadership can often be stressful, but your role also serves as a vital support system for staff and students, helping to ease their stress in the workplace. This workshop is designed to explore the intersection of stress and leadership, providing practical tools for navigating stress and cultivating a positive work environment. In this session, we will dive into the basics of stress response and its role in the workplace, helping you understand how stress affects both leaders and those you lead. You’ll learn how to identify common stressors that may affect you and your team, and gain insight into how these stressors impact organizational effectiveness.

In addition, we will explore the critical role workplace attitudes play in fostering a positive school culture. Topics will include job satisfaction, morale, organizational commitment, and work engagement—key factors that directly influence productivity, team cohesion, and overall well-being.

To help you manage stress effectively, we will also cover several healthy coping strategies that can be easily implemented into your daily routine. These strategies are designed to promote personal well-being while simultaneously strengthening your leadership role within the school community.

By the end of the session, you will be equipped with practical tools and strategies to manage stress, foster a positive work environment, and support the well-being of both yourself and your team.

Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding stress responses and their impact in the workplace

  • Identifying common workplace stressors and their effects on performance

  • Enhancing job satisfaction, morale, and organizational commitment

  • Developing practical coping strategies for stress management

  • Building a positive and engaged work environment for yourself and your team

Join us for this transformative workshop and learn how to navigate workplace stress while fostering a thriving and resilient school culture. While this is geared towards the role of the principal, any administrator, leader, aspiring leaders are encouraged to attend.

Time will be spent the last portion of the breakaway in a roundtable format. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event.

Get Tickets Free 25 tickets left

K-12 Trauma Informed Practices & Social/Emotional Learning: Never More Important Than Now!

St. Clair ROE IL
The needs of our students showing up each day are greater than ever before. In this session we will look at how to recognize and respond to trauma when it is happening in the moment as well as establishing relationships with those who come to us with a trauma history. We will look at the emotional/relational aspect of trauma as well as the neurological reaction of the brain and body. Through a variety of hands-on experiences, we will understand what trauma is and the most efficient and effective ways to manage trauma. Additionally, we will explore setting up our environments with strategies that will decrease trauma and build strong communities. We will end our day looking at the impact of other's trauma on us and what we need to do to continue to care for others and avoid compassion fatigue and burnout by building a stronger professional resilience. This session is designed for educators of all levels of experience and across educational roles in our system (teachers, support staff, administrators, etc.)
With 40 years in education, Cheryl Fuller has been engaged in many aspects of researching and implementing learning for children and adults. With a Bachelor’s in Child Development, a Master’s in Counseling and a Master’s in Leadership, she has been able to enjoy her work as a classroom teacher, counselor, and school principal. As a consultant, she has presented material to over 400,000 people across the United States. She offers workshops and keynote/breakout sessions at major conferences. Additionally, she has certifications in Trauma Informed Practices & Social/Emotional Learning and Building Professional Resilience (avoiding compassion fatigue). She has authored two books, Peace by Piece & Forward Facing for Educators.
Get Tickets Free – $125.00 45 tickets left

County Institute – SLP’s: Supporting Gestalt Language Processors & AAC Users

Wolf Branch Elementary School 125 Huntwood Rd., Swansea
This event will be held at Wolf Branch Elementary School (125 Huntwood Rd. Swansea)
Do you want to better support your non-speaking, minimally speaking, or scripted communicators? This workshop is designed specifically for Speech-Language Pathologists who work with Autistic students and want to learn effective strategies for communication.  By the end of this training, you'll feel confident in your understanding of the key stages of Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), an essential framework for supporting students who process language holistically. You'll learn how to be an effective communication partner with GLPs, and how to assess and identify students who rely on delayed echolalia.  Additionally, this session will focus on best practices for utilizing and programming Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems, helping you better support students in expressing themselves and engaging in meaningful interactions. This is a hands-on workshop—expect practical strategies, actionable tips, and ready-to-use handouts that you can apply in your practice right away. This is one professional development opportunity you don't want to miss! Whether you’re new to GLP or already familiar, you’ll leave feeling empowered and equipped to make a real difference in the lives of your students.
Jamie Burch, owner of Inclusion Therapy Services, PLLC is a NLA (Natural Language Acquisition) Trained Clinician through Meaningful Speech and continues to stay up-to-date with new findings about Gestalt Language Processing, AAC, and ND-affirming therapy. Jamie has worked in pediatric private practice since 2016 and loves being able to form authentic connections with each and every child she works with. Jamie believes in celebrating progress in all of its forms and empowering and supporting parents.
Registration for this event closes 4-5 days prior to the event.
Get Tickets Free – $110.00 30 tickets left

County Institute Social Workers/School Counselors: “Balancing the Scales: Supporting Students’ Anxiety & Nurturing School Professionals’ Well-Being”

St. Clair ROE IL
Today's students are facing unprecedented levels of anxiety—more worried, more dependent, and less resilient in the face of challenges than generations before them. As anxiety continues to skyrocket among youth, how can school professionals effectively respond to this increasingly fretful generation? This workshop provides a deep dive into understanding anxiety in students, offering insight into the key red flags and exploring why it’s becoming more pervasive in our schools. We’ll explore how anxiety manifests in students and, more importantly, how we, as school counselors and social workers, can respond with strategies that truly make a difference in alleviating their distress. In the first half of this workshop, we will focus on practical, evidence-based strategies for addressing student anxiety in the classroom. From recognizing early signs to providing effective interventions, we’ll discuss approaches that foster emotional resilience and support students in building coping skills for academic and personal success. The second half of the session shifts to the critical role school professionals play in managing their own well-being. Educators, counselors, and social workers are often the first line of support for students, yet they can struggle with their own stress and burnout. In this segment, participants will learn self-care techniques and strategies to combat stress and anxiety, ensuring they remain at their best for the students they serve. Through guided reflection and discussion, attendees will develop a personalized Resilience Plan—equipping them with the tools needed to thrive, both in their professional roles and in their personal lives.
Get Tickets Free – $120.00 51 tickets left