Events

Do you know some to a moderate level of AI tools and technology and how to implement them into your current special education role?  This FREE virtual workshop is specifically designed for attendees who have knowledge of and have used AI and how its  tools can be used in the special education realm.  Join Emily Flach Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Learning Technology Center) in this workshop that is designed for special education teachers seeking to elevate their current foundational AI skills. We'll explore advanced prompting and expanded AI toolsets, empowering you to create deeply personalized learning experiences. Master AI's ability to develop data-driven IEP goals, implement progress monitoring, and craft targeted behavior plans. Learn to effectively employ AI for advanced differentiation and tailored accommodations, ensuring every student thrives. Through hands-on activities, you'll refine your AI proficiency and confidently integrate AI applications into your daily preparation and instruction to maximize student achievement and streamline your work. Participants will collaborate to share effective AI strategies and applications for the special education classroom, fostering a supportive learning community and expanding your practical AI knowledge.

A virtual link will be sent prior to the event date. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

This virtual session is free thanks to the Illinois SLD Project. Throughout this session, K-2 educators will be equipped with essential strategies for fostering the growth and development of emergent writers in early childhood settings.  Participants will explore evidence-based approaches to nurturing writing skills, from pre-writing activities to guided writing techniques. Through interactive discussions and practical examples, attendees will gain insights into building a supportive writing environment and scaffolding instruction to meet the diverse needs of young learners throughout multiple stages of writing development.  A virtual link will be sent prior to the event date. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

This free virtual session is presented on behalf of the SIU Behavior Assessment Training Project.   Many school professionals that are expected to conduct and write FBA's do not enter the field with adequate training on the topic yet are expected to lead this process - oftentimes without any collaborators. In this workshop you will explore the components of the Illinois FBA document, learn what goes in each section, and how you can collaborate with other professionals in this process. You will utilize a user-friendly tool targeted specifically for the Illinois FBA to write high quality documents which can promote positive student outcomes. This tool can also be used to review existing documents for completeness and quality.  Targeted audience: administrators, special and general educators, behavioral coaches/interventionists, special education directors/supervisors, social workers, related support personnel. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event date unless tickets are sold out. A link will be sent prior to April 15.

This free virtual session is presented on behalf of the SIU Behavior Assessment Training Project. Many school professionals that are expected to write and implement BIPs do not enter the field with adequate training on the topic yet are expected to lead this process - oftentimes without any collaborators. In this workshop you will explore the components of the Illinois BIP document, learn what goes in each section, and how you can collaborate with other professionals in this process. You will utilize a user-friendly tool targeted specifically for the Illinois BIP to write high quality documents which can promote positive student outcomes. This tool can also be used to review existing documents for completeness and quality. Targeted audience: administrators, special and general educators, behavioral coaches/interventionists, special education directors/supervisors, social workers, related support personnel. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event date unless tickets are sold out. A link will be sent prior to April 16.

Join Dr. Jeff Spencer (Science Instructional Coach, ROE # 17) in this engaging workshop designed to help educators gain a deeper understanding of the Illinois Learning Standards for Science, with a focus on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Teachers will begin with an interactive introduction that sets the stage for meaningful reflection on hands-on science activities, helping them see how these standards come to life in the classroom. Participants will explore key NGSS principles—such as three-dimensional learning, scientific practices, and crosscutting concepts—through collaborative discussions and guided reflection. The session will highlight strategies for integrating NGSS into everyday teaching, providing practical tools to support inquiry-based learning and foster student engagement. By the end of the workshop, teachers will have a stronger grasp of how to effectively implement NGSS in their own classrooms, with resources to support their ongoing professional growth. Teachers will be provided 35 minutes for lunch and are encouraged to bring lunch to this event. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

PD Co-op member district $50.00, Non PD Co-op district $75.00, lunch is included on site. Administrators can earn pd credit OR academy credit.  Teachers can attend and earn pd hours, social workers/counselors may attend and earn ceu's. In this academy, school leaders will learn the importance of self-care while building their understanding of the role they play in creating a culture that supports staff wellness. School leaders will work to assess their own levels of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue. Based on this assessment, leaders will focus on their individual self-care plan that promotes compassion resilience. In addition we will focus on assessing and building a culture for supporting staff wellness while utilizing the core components of a multi-tiered system of support. This flexible framework will guide administrators in promoting wellness for all through the use of data, systems and practices. School leaders will leave with a plan on how to engage existing teams to promote and prioritize a culture of staff wellness. The application/dissemination must be completed and submitted at the conclusion of the event. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event.

PD Co-op Member Districts-Free, Non PD Co-op Member Districts $150.00 Target Audience: Illinois K-12 school secretaries, administrative assistants, and anyone involved in handling student records or interacting with families in a school setting. Join us for this informative, inspirational, and essential half-day workshop as you wrap up the 2024-2025 school year! The first session will be led by Dr. Tom Webb, a BOOM leader principal at Carterville Intermediate in Carterville, IL. Often, our days in the school office feel like we are endlessly fighting fires, reacting to one urgent issue after another. In my time as principal, I've realized that stomping out a forest fire is not an efficient strategy.  But what if we approached these challenges not as firefighters but as farmers? Join Dr. Tom Webb in a transformative session designed specifically for the vital forces behind our schools—secretaries, administrative and executive assistants as we become farmers and explore the powerful 'weed, seed, and feed' strategy to make impactful, manageable changes within your schools and districts.

• Weed: Identify and eliminate inefficient practices that are taking up valuable space and resources.
• Seed: Introduce innovative ideas and strategies that promise growth and improvement.
• Feed: Nurture these seeds with consistent, small adjustments that ensure they flourish into significant gains

After a short break, this amazing morning will continue on with the last session led by D. Shane Jones, an experienced school law attorney, who will guide you through the legal landscape of student records and privacy. This session will cover critical topics such as:

• FERPA Compliance: Understanding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and how it governs the access and disclosure of student education records. Participants will learn how to handle confidential information appropriately and the legal implications of releasing student records.

• Illinois-Specific Statutes: A deep dive into Illinois laws regarding student records, focusing on the differences between permanent and temporary records, retention policies, and the legal requirements for record access and transfer within Illinois public schools.

• Student Registration & Immigration Status: Key do's and don'ts related to student registration, immigration status, and documentation requirements. This includes understanding what information can and cannot be requested and how to handle sensitive immigration-related issues with discretion.

• Parental Custody Considerations: Learn about the rights and responsibilities of parents or guardians when it comes to student records and participation in school activities. This includes understanding how to navigate situations involving joint custody, custodial agreements, and when to question or verify parental authority.

This session will provide essential tools to ensure legal compliance and protect both the privacy of students and the responsibilities of school staff. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain clarity on complex legal issues and enhance your ability to navigate the administrative challenges of working in Illinois public schools.

Spots are limited and will fill fast! Registration closes Thursday, May 29 at 12:00pm unless tickets are sold out prior to the deadline.

Are you ready to take your Google skills to the next level? Join our upcoming Google Educator Level 1 workshop! Joe Cipfl, Director of Educational Technology (ROE # 50) will facilitate this workshop as you will break down the Google Educator Level 1 Certification into smaller segments while preparing you for the exam. Each segment will cover different Google-related topics, including Chrome and Slides, Drive and Docs, Gmail and Calendar, Classroom, Forms and Sheets, and test prep tips. Level 1 certification indicates a fundamental understanding of using Google Tools in the classroom and confirms standard technology implementation skills. Educators who pass the certification test can promote their status with a personal certificate and badge. Certification lasts 36 months. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow professionally and earn a valuable certification to add to your resume immediately. Participants will need to bring a fully charged device to this event (35 minutes will be given for lunch on your own). Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event.

Join us for a full-day session designed to empower educators with the tools and insights needed to support students with dyslexia effectively. We’ll begin by exploring foundational knowledge, including the latest brain research, common myths, and practices not supported by evidence, as well as best approaches for screening and early identification. Building on this foundation, we’ll dive into structured literacy strategies, focusing on phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency building, and teaching high-frequency words to foster meaningful progress. The session will also include an overview of the Illinois Dyslexia Handbook, offering actionable guidance to align your classroom practices with state standards. Perfect for educators seeking practical, research-backed strategies, this session ensures you’re equipped to make a lasting impact on your students’ reading development. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event date.

Do you have students who have trouble adding and subtracting within 10 and 20? Regrouping within 100 and 1,000? Do you have students who guess at operations when solving word problems, have trouble making sense of the numbers, and struggle with 2-step and comparison problems?

Then join Greg Tang for his grade K-2 Best Practices workshop. Greg will share his “less is more” approach to teaching critical concepts and skills. Learn firsthand his progression of concrete, pictorial, and abstract models (C-P-A) that gives kids a deeper, more connected understanding of number, operations, and word problems.

We will build number sense with Unifix Cubes and ten frames, use number bonds to make short work of regrouping, and use part-whole and tape diagrams to make sense of all 15-word problem types.

In addition to best teaching practices, we will also explore best ways to practice. We will solve cleverly designed problems that develop reasoning and logical thinking skills and are perfect for math talks, math centers, and independent practice.

As an added bonus, every teacher who attends will receive access to Greg’s elementary math curriculum, including his incredible, online teaching tools, practice materials, games, and math centers.

  Time will be given for lunch (on your own). Registration will close 4-5 days prior to this event unless tickets are sold out.