What Works? Effective Instructional Strategies to Build Elementary (K-5) Writers (Virtual)

This free virtual session is thanks to the IL SLDS Project.  The What Works Clearinghouse reviewed the research, so you don't have to!   This session will provide recommendations for teaching effective writing from a meta-study of evidence-based research.  Specific examples and strategies will be broken down in order to implement in your classroom the very next day!   A virtual link will be sent prior to the event date, registration will close 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.
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The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness ~ Virtual Book Study

Registration closes on January 6, 2025. A virtual link will be sent prior to the meeting dates. 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)
    • January 14, 2025 (4:00-5:00 p.m.) 
      • Focus Areas:  Introductions and Technology
    • January 21, 2025 (4:00-5:00 p.m.)
      • Focus Area:  Play 
    • January 28, 2025 (4:00-5:00 p.m.)
      • Focus Area:  Independence
    • February 4, 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.... 10 copies will be raffled off free of charge (must be picked up at the ROE) prior to 2025.  The entire book must be read on or before January 13, 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. Missing a session will result in a $35.00 no show invoice, please do not register unless you can attend all 4 virtual sessions.
Get Tickets Free – $125.00 14 tickets left

K-12 AP/Dean/Director/Supervisor Breakaway

St. Clair ROE
Happy New Year!  As we begin 2025, join your fellow assistant principals, deans, directors and supervisors in this breakaway topic: The Character Based Discipline Framework presented by Dr. Roxanna Mechem from Character Plus.
Humans are wired to be social. We learn and process through social interactions. Our character behaviors are heavily influenced by our prior experiences with others. Covid, social media usage, and other contemporary factors have changed the landscape of childhood. This session explores the neuroscience behind all human behavior and unpacks the essential elements that students need to be their best selves. Regardless of the discipline program you use, this session will enhance your practice by increasing your understanding of proactive research-based strategies. Participants will learn essential elements to consider for before, during, and after behavioral challenges in the classroom. We will discuss the importance of a character-based approach that maintains the dignity of each student while constantly working toward the long-term goal of self-directed, self-regulated, and responsible behavior.
 Upon the conclusion of this session time will be given to debrief and collaborate with fellow colleagues. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.
Get Tickets Free – $80.00 31 tickets left

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with Adolescents

Day 1 - St. Clair ROE, Day 2 - Wolf Branch Middle School Library
This two-day event is free thanks to the SEL Grant. Day 1 will be held at the St. Clair County ROE (1000 S. Illinois St Belleville). Day 2 will be held at Wolf Branch Middle School-Library  (410 Huntwood Dr. Swansea). Participants must attend both days in order to earn pd/ceu hours.    Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with Adolescents and in Schools is an intensive, skills-based approach designed to help young people manage intense emotions, reduce self-destructive behaviors, and improve interpersonal relationships. This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of DBT principles and techniques tailored for adolescents and educational settings. Participants will learn the four core modules of DBT: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. The workshop will include practical strategies for implementing DBT skills training in school environments, addressing challenges specific to adolescents. Through hands-on activities, case studies, and role-plays, attendees will gain the tools necessary to support the emotional and behavioral well-being of students. This workshop is ideal for educators, school counselors, social workers, and mental health professionals dedicated to fostering a supportive and resilient school community. Participants will be given 35 minutes for lunch and are encouraged to bring a lunch to these sessions. Spots are limited, registration will close 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.
Sold Out Free

K-12 Administrative Breakaway: Legal Update Panel

St. Clair ROE
As we navigate through the early months of 2025, administrators will continue to face situations that could result with the involvement of a school attorney.  IASA General Counsel Chad Watkins will facilitate a free legal update panel of local school attorneys, Shane Jones, Barney Mundorf, and Merry Rhoades. The panel will address new laws and developments impacting building level administrators. Who should attend? Superintendents/Central Office Administration, Building Principals, Assistant Principals, Dean of Students, Department Chairs and/or any related support personnel.  Registration will close 4-5 days prior to the event.
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Responding to Students with Anxiety (Including School Anxiety and Avoidance)

St. Clair ROE
This event is free thanks to an SEL Grant.
No, it isn’t in your imagination that students seem more anxious today than in the past.  Indeed, they are more anxious and worried, and less independent and capable of taking in stride small setbacks.  How do we respond to this fretful generation?  This presentation, facilitated by Amy Maus, MSW, LCSW from West County Psychological Associates, will provide an understanding of what anxiety actually is, red flags in anxious students, why it’s exploding today among our youth, and how teachers and other school professionals can respond in ways that actually help.  The second half of the morning will be spent discussing school anxiety and avoidance/refusal in particular. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event date. CEU's will be provided.
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AA #1374 Depression and Suicide: Implementing a Social & Emotional System of Support

St. Clair ROE
PDC $50.00 Non PDC $75.00 (Lunch is provided on site) Suicide is a serious and growing problem among children and adolescents. Each year, thousands of young people commit suicide. The majority of children and adolescents who attempt suicide have a significant mental health disorder, usually depression. Depression and suicidal feelings are treatable mental disorders. Teachers and administrators should always err on the side of caution and safety. Come join us to learn more about suicide and depression, ways to identify it, how to help, and develop a plan to help guide your students and staff through depression, suicide, and SEL. Administrators attending this event can earn pd hours OR academy credit. Note other related service personnel can attend for pd hours or ceu hours.  Application/dissemination must be completed and completed and submitted upon the conclusion of the academy. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event.
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Administrator Breakaway ~ 30 Second Feedback Lab: Impactful Instructional Deposits

High Mount School 1721 Boul Ave, Swansea, IL
Instructional Leadership in Action! Which is more impactful?  Spending 3o minutes in a classroom once a month?  Or visiting a classroom 10 times a month for 3 minutes or less?  It's still a total of 30 minutes of your valuable time; however, the comparable positive impact is huge when you multiply the amount of short, strength based, classroom visits. Want to learn more about this impactful instructional leadership protocol?
Join your colleagues on February 4th at High Mount School in Swansea from 8:15am-11:30am as Dr. Julie Sperry (Character Plus) introduces you to Mike Rutherford's Instructional Feedback process called "30 Second Feedback".   We will visit classrooms at HMS and practice delivering feedback to the teachers.
 
30 Second Feedback is an instructional practice for providing growth evoking, non-evaluative feedback and coaching to teachers. 30 second feedback delivers a short, but meaningful, positive reinforcement based on a quick classroom visit. This protocol's effectiveness is based on the observer's ability to be specific in describing the short episode of teaching and the subsequent positive learning effect.  This quick and powerful instructional tool helps the administrator gain some quick instructional "wins" by depositing positive nuggets of specific observable powerful moments of great teaching practices.  These deposits add up to create powerful impact when coupled with the regular teacher evaluation and walkthrough protocol and processes. Spots are very limited, registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.
Get Tickets Free – $110.00 7 tickets left

Designing Targeted Reading Interventions (K-12)

St. Clair ROE
This free session is provided by the IL SLDS. Are you stuck on what to do with your universal screening data? Unsure of what skills to target during intervention sessions? Struggling on how to provide interventions that address foundational reading skills? This session is for you. Participants will learn how to collect diagnostic data on foundational reading skills. you will learn how to use the data to design and implement intervention sessions grounded in the science of reading.  Participants will leave with assessment resources, an intervention plan to address students’ individual needs and tools for implementing your intervention plans.  This session is designed for special educators, reading interventionists, reading coaches, RtI coordinators, and general educators working with at-risk students for a reading disability or identified as needing assistance with foundational reading skills. Registration will close 4-5 days prior to the event date unless tickets are sold out.
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Intermediate Co-Teaching Strategies for Classrooms: Implementing Specially Designed Instruction

St. Clair ROE
This workshop is free thanks to the IL SLDS.  In this intermediate level co-teaching course, special educators and general educators who have prior understanding of the six models of co-teaching and their application should attend.  Participants will develop proficiency in teaching strategies that cater to the entire class while addressing the specific needs of students with learning disabilities through specially designed instruction.  Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless ticket sales are sold out.
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