Events

Jim Kestner, nationally recognized for his youth character development programs, will present practical, hands-on strategies for implementing SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Standards that help you prepare students for success in the real world through activities and perspectives that won't require you to devote unrealistic amounts of time.  The session will provide opportunities for you to identify topics most relevant to your circumstances. Here's a sample of issues we will address together:

• Connecting the SEL Standards to your current curriculum
• Empowering students to overcome setbacks that threaten their success
• Equipping students with practical strategies to navigate complex interpersonal interactions
• Improving students' conflict management skills
• Teaching real methods for making individaul students accountable for group success
• Teaching perspective taking as a means of enhancing student empathy
• Identifying perspectives for healthy and unhealthy tolerance
• Coping with differences that impact opportunity and fairness (appearance, means, ability, status, etc.)
• Engaging students in meaningful processes for addressing negative behaviors and attitudes

PDC Member Districts $325.00, Non PD Co-op member districts $375.00 (lunch is included on site). All pre-work must be submitted no later than Sunday, July 20 at 12:00pm or participants will not be able to attend the academy. The learning outcomes for the two-day academy include: - Participants will be able to use assessments and measurement models in determining the student growth attributable to individual teachers and to understand how different types of assessments are used for measuring growth. - Participants will be able to use data from the evaluation rubric, other evidence collected and best practices relative to evaluating student growth, to link teacher and school-level professional development plans to evaluation results. - Participants will create, in collaboration with teachers, supportive, targeted professional development plans that consider past results, contribute to professional growth, and assist teachers in aligning professional development and goal-setting to school improvement goals. - Participants will communicate evaluation outcomes and findings in constructive and supportive ways that enable teachers to set goals and improve practice. - Participants will demonstrate a high rate of inter-rater reliability using the required performance evaluation ratings (i.e., excellent, proficient, needs improvement, and unsatisfactory). - Participants will observe instruction competently in multiple subject areas provided to varied and multiple student populations (i.e., English language learners, students with IEPs, students in career and technical programs, etc.) - Participants will use data from the evaluation rubric, other evidence collected and best practices relative to evaluating professional practice, to link teacher and school-level professional development plans to evaluation results. - Participants will know how to create, in collaboration with teachers, supportive, targeted professional development plans that consider past results, contribute to professional growth and assist teachers in aligning PD and goal-setting to SIP goals. - Participants will communicate evaluation outcomes and findings in constructive and supportive ways that enable teachers to set goals and improve professional practice. - Participants will understand sources of personal bias and be able to recognize and control for bias when conducting an evaluation and determining results. Evaluators will be required to complete pre-session learning components for this course. If you do not complete the pre-session learning components in the required time frame prior to the workshop, you will not be allowed to attend the workshop and will still be responsible for the registration fee. This event has a maximum number of 15 attendees. Participants must bring a fully charged laptop to both days of the academy. Registration closes 7 days prior to the event as pre-work must be completed and submitted. Cancellations must be made 72 hours in advance or the amount will be non-refundable.

This workshop is free for all to attend, lunch will be provided on site.

Have you ever wanted to have a day of learning and collaboration that is not the typical day of PD? One where you can laugh, collaborate with your colleagues, be creative, reflect, and discuss? If so, this is for you. Join Dr. Marlee Bunch, educator and author of The Magnitude of Us: A Guidebook to Creating Culturally Responsive Classrooms, and Katie Gehrt, educator, for an engaging professional development opportunity focused on culturally responsive classrooms and The Magnitude of Us. This professional development is designed to equip 6-12 educators of all subjects and ages to implement culturally responsive teaching strategies to drive engagement, center stories, and connect with students. We invite you to register and mark your calendar to join us as we connect, unlearn, relearn, discuss, and create. This professional development workshop is a 2-part series, registering will sign you up for both parts of the workshop. The first session will occur on July 29, 2025, in person from 9:00am-3:00pm (with a 40 minute lunch break - lunch is on your own). The second session will occur virtually on September 3 (4:00-5:30pm) and a virtual link will be sent prior to 9.2.25. Participants must attend both sessions to earn the full 9 hours of pd credit (partial pd hours will not be issued). What to Bring July 29, 2025: 1. An existing or recent lesson plan printed out. Choose one that you want to revise and/or use at the start of the 2025/26 school year. 2. Something to write in (journal or notebook). 3. An open mind and the willingness to engage and create possibilities. 4. Snacks (*we will break for a 40-minute lunch, but snacks for the day are encouraged*) Session I: July 29, 2025 Remember the days of a good buffet? This session will offer a buffet of learning and collaborating that will include a variety of activities and topics, with something for everyone. We will discuss culturally responsive teaching and have small group activities to discuss and examine not only what culturally responsive teaching entails but also how we can implement and sustain it in our classrooms. In addition, we will evaluate and create lessons and activities to take back into our classrooms for the 2025/26 school year. Session II: September 3, 2025 4:00pm-5:30pm Session II will occur virtually as a follow-up and extension of session I. This session will be a PJs and learn afternoon. Log on in your favorite PJs with a cup of coffee or tea and bring your Magnitude of Us book to continue the discussion and revisit lingering topics from session I. Goals and Objectives - Gain an understanding of what culturally responsive teaching entails - Discover tools, resources, and practices that support culturally responsive pedagogy and implementation - Assess and evaluate existing lesson plans - Build a new lesson/activity to take back into your classroom - Learn and reflect through discussing and actively learning with colleagues What this PD will NOT be: 1. Sit and get. We can assure you that this will not involve a long day of lecturing. 2. This will not be a PD where your voice is not included or heard. 3. Boring. As educators, we have been to enough PDs that were snooze fests... This won’t be that. This PD will include: o Active learning. o Opportunities for discussion and reflection. o Models of effective practice: incorporating poetry and writing, discussion across subject areas, etc. o Support and tools for application and implementation that are relevant to your classroom. o Opportunities to ask questions about culturally responsive teaching. o A copy of The Magnitude of Us book (Teachers College Press, Bunch, 2024). o A follow-up online workshop for continued discussion. Facilitator Bios: Dr. Marlee Bunch, EdD/MEd/MS/BA is an interdisciplinary educator, author, researcher, and lifelong learner. Her research examines the oral histories of Black female educators in Hattiesburg, Mississippi who taught between 1954-1971, and the implications that desegregation had on their lives and careers. She received her doctoral degree from the University of Illinois in 2022 in Education/Policy/Organizational Leadership. Additionally, she has a Masters in Education (MEd), a Masters in Gifted Education (MS), a Bachelors in English, a certification in Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, and a certification in ESL (English as a Second Language). Bunch has been an educator for 17+ years and is the founder of the un/Hush teaching framework. You can learn more about her work at https://www.marleebunch.com/ Katie Gehrt, MA (she/her) is an educator, coach, researcher, advocate, and writer. Katie has experience as a high school teacher and experience in promoting and facilitating diversity, equity, and inclusion. Katie graduated with a B.S. in Secondary Education from Kansas State University, with a minor in Leadership Studies. She obtained her M.A. in Social Justice and Human Rights from Arizona State University, where she received an award for her capstone research examining theoretical frameworks of white supremacy and its application to the U.S. education system. Katie is a passionate advocate for students and implementing inquiry-based pedagogy to bring students’ stories to light through discussion, remain responsive to student feedback and improve engagement, and enhance her own self-reflection as a white educator.   Spots for this two-part session are limited and will fill fast. Registration will close 4-5 days prior to the event. Participants will each receive a copy of Dr. Burch's book, The Magnitude of Us An Educator's Guide to Creating Culturally Responsive Classrooms.

Join Kindergarten teacher Marsha McGuire for a fun-filled, hands-on workshop designed to reignite the joy of learning in your early childhood classroom! In this session you'll discover exciting activities that support the development of fine motor skills, boost sensory experiences, and revolutionize your math centers. Learn how to integrate creative, engaging games that not only enhance critical skills but also make learning feel like play. By the end of the day, you’ll walk away with a practical toolkit of innovative games and strategies to make your students excited to learn, eager to engage, and ready to explore! Perfect for educators seeking fresh ideas to inspire and motivate young learners. Marsha is the author behind Differentiated Kindergarten https://differentiatedkindergarten.com/. Marsha has a master's degree in early childhood education with a focus on Differentiated Instruction. While Marsha has taught preschool and first grade, she has spent most of her 20-year teaching career in Kindergarten in Michigan. Registration will close 4-5 days prior to registration unless tickets are sold out (40 minutes will be provided for lunch (on your own).

Get ready to revolutionize your classroom with a wealth of innovative strategies designed to captivate your students and transform your teaching with Kindergarten teacher Marsha McGuire! This session will explore dynamic morning work bins that set a positive tone for the day, movement-infused activities that keep energy high while reinforcing key skills, and practical handwriting tips that promote legibility and fluidity. You’ll also discover how to create literacy centers that foster independence and spark a love of reading and writing. Walk away with a toolbox full of engaging, easy-to-implement techniques that will make your classroom more interactive, exciting, and effective. Perfect for educators looking to inspire students and streamline their daily routines! Marsha is the author behind Differentiated Kindergarten https://differentiatedkindergarten.com/. Marsha has a master's degree in early childhood education with a focus on Differentiated Instruction. While Marsha has taught preschool and first grade, she has spent most of her 20-year teaching career in Kindergarten in Michigan. Registration will close 4-5 days prior to registration unless tickets are sold out (40 minutes will be provided for lunch (on your own).

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. Breakfast 8:00-9:00am, Academy 9:00am-12:00pm. 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. Registration closes 7.31.25 at 12:00pm.

Are you looking to maximize your use of Google tools in education? Join our Google Educator Level 2 Certification Workshop and discover how to effectively integrate a wide range of Google tools to enhance your teaching practices and engage 21st-century learners.

Join facilitator Emily Flach (Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Learning Technology Center) in this workshop where you will:

• Dive deep into Google's educational tools: Explore advanced features in Gmail, Slides, Drawings, Scholar, Books, Google Arts & Culture, Earth, Maps, Sites, Blogger, YouTube, Classroom, Keep, and Trends.

• Master advanced skills: Learn organizational strategies for Drive, explore learning models to help personalize the learning experience, build collaborative lessons with Docs, conduct research with Scholar, analyze data with Sheets, create assessments with Forms, utilize advanced search techniques, and learn how to effectively utilize Chrome Add-ons and Extensions.

• Prepare for the certification exam: We'll break down the exam requirements and provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to pass confidently.

• Boost your teaching toolkit: Even if you don't plan to take the exam, this workshop offers valuable insights and practical strategies for integrating Google tools in your classroom.

This workshop is perfect for educators of all levels who want to:

• Expand their knowledge of Google for Education tools.

• Develop effective technology integration strategies.

• Enhance their teaching practices and engage students.

• Earn Google Educator Level 2 certification.

Prerequisites:

• Bring a fully charged Chromebook or laptop with access to a Google for Education account.

• No prior certification is required.

Don't miss this opportunity to level up your teaching! Reserve your spot today.

Learn more about the certification: https://edu.google.com/teacher-center/certifications/educator-level2/?modal_active=none

Navigate the complexities of special education law and avoid costly litigation by sharpening your legal knowledge and enhancing your parent communication strategies. In this comprehensive and interactive session, you'll learn proactive steps to minimize the risk of due process hearings and other legal challenges.  Hosted by a former due process hearing officer and school district attorney, this workshop will provide practical, real-world strategies to ensure that your special education processes and procedures are legally sound and defensible. Participants will gain valuable insights into strengthening IEPs, handling disputes effectively, and fostering positive relationships with parents, all while reducing the likelihood of legal action. Join us for an engaging, solution-oriented session designed to equip educators, administrators, and special education professionals with the tools they need to protect their district and better serve students with disabilities.

Christina Sepiol, J.D. Ed.D, currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services at Indian Prairie School District # 204.  Dr. Sepiol also serves as the assistant director of the SWCCCASE Cooperative. Prior to her position within the cooperative, Ms. Sepiol was legal counsel for numerous school districts throughout the State of Illinois, focusing her practice in matters related to special education, student discipline and disability rights. Ms. Sepiol graduated magna cum laude from Loyola University, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in education. She received her J.D. from Loyola, and her Master's degree in Educational Leadership from DePaul University. Her educational experiences have included teaching in the field of special education at the elementary through high school levels and serving as a building principal in an alternative day school setting. She is a member of the Illinois Bar Association and has served on the Illinois Council of School Attorney's Committees on Special Education and the No Child Left Behind Act. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.