Dr. Madison Fritsche of West County Psychological Associates will present this virtual session on Autism in Girls. Autism in girls is frequently overlooked or identified later because many girls do not fit the traditional picture of autism. This presentation explores how autism may present differently in girls, including masking, internalizing behaviors, social imitation, friendship challenges, less obvious restricted interests, sensory differences, and emotional regulation. Participants will learn to look beyond surface-level functioning, recognize patterns that may otherwise be missed, and identify practical ways to better support autistic girls within educational settings. Dr. Fritsche is a Ph.D. and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist with extensive experience in public school systems. She specializes in comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations for children and adolescents, focusing on ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and behavioral challenges. This session is designed for school social workers and student support staff. Each attendee must log in with their own device. A virtual link and other necessary session materials will be shared with registrants ahead of time. It is recommended that participants print a copy of the material ahead of time and follow along using paper and pencil during the presentation. Registration closes October 5, 2026, at 10:00am. CEU's are available.

This practical, interactive virtual training equips paraprofessionals with strategies to recognize early signs of escalation, understand behavior as communication, and respond calmly and effectively to challenging situations. Participants will explore the stages of escalation, discuss supportive communication, learn what to do—and what to avoid—during escalating situations, and develop strategies for maintaining their own regulation while supporting student safety, dignity, and connection.  A virtual link will be sent prior to the event date. Each attendee should use their own device. Registration closes October 5, 2026 at 10:00 am.

What gets teenagers to actually care about learning? This roundtable-style session is a space to share what’s working, troubleshoot what’s not, and learn from one another. We’ll explore research-backed strategies for increasing motivation, engagement, and buy-in in secondary classrooms while tapping into the collective experience and ideas of the educators in the room. Come ready to share, problem-solve, and leave with new ideas to try. Registration for this event closes 10/22 at 4:00 p.m.

Do your students with difficulties in reading, math, or writing also struggle to stay on task, complete work, find their supplies, and turn in homework, even when it's complete? Learn about the overlap between Executive Functioning skills and learning disabilities in this session, which walks participants through supporting the student's executive functioning skills, from writing their IEP goal to strategies for implementing Specially Designed Instruction for related skills. The session will highlight specific strategies for individual students, as well as modifications for teaching these skills in whole or small groups. Presenter: Laura Arnold, M.A., CCC-SLP/L Laura Arnold is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Region 6 Specialist for the SLD Support Project with over 15 years of experience dedicated to supporting diverse learners. Expert in screening, diagnosing, and designing evidence-based interventions, Laura bridges clinical expertise with educational leadership. Recently, she co-developed the project's Science of Learning Microcredential and leads targeted professional development for educators and paraprofessionals alike. Her work is anchored in the belief that equipping educators with evidence-based practices is the key to unlocking optimal outcomes for students of all abilities. Registration closes 10/24/26 at 4:00 p.m.

Parents who work in education often carry two full-time roles: supporting students all day and caring for their own families at home. Over time, this constant giving creates a burnout loop: pushing through exhaustion, feeling guilty for being depleted, and continuing to overextend because it feels like the only option. In this session, participants will learn how to break that loop through three key shifts: awareness, interruption, and identity. Attendees will hear insights and real-world reflections from Erin Shook, a veteran educator and mom of four who has lived this cycle firsthand and supports other educator parents in creating more sustainable ways to work and live.   A virtual link will be shared with you prior to the event. Registration for this event closes Friday, November 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Christine Fine, an Employer Services Representative with IMRF, will facilitate this advisory roundtable designed to provide IMRF employers and members with information, resources, and an opportunity to ask questions about the IMRF retirement system and employer responsibilities. The session will include a review of Employer and Member Portal resources, with discussion of timely topics such as wage reporting issues, forms, invoices and reports, hiring retirees, member-driven forms, and the retirement process and protocols. Christine will also provide general guidance on Tier 1 and Tier 2 retirement information, post-retirement employment rules, and where members and employers can access additional IMRF resources and support. The roundtable will provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions, share common concerns, and gain a better understanding of IMRF processes and resources. Participants are encouraged to bring questions and topics for discussion. Registration closes November 9 at 10:00 a.m.

Care teams and problem-solving teams play an important role in identifying and supporting students who are experiencing academic, behavioral, or social-emotional difficulties—but without a clear process, meetings can easily become focused on discussing concerns rather than developing and evaluating solutions. Dr. Madison Fritsche of West County Psychological Associates will present this interactive session, where participants will learn a practical, data-driven framework for making care teams more effective and efficient. We will explore the purpose, structure, participants, and agenda of effective care teams; how to define student concerns using measurable data; and how to conduct root cause analysis to better understand why a student may be struggling. Participants will then work through the process of developing targeted interventions, assigning clear responsibilities, monitoring student progress, and using data to determine next steps. Throughout the session, we will also address strategies for increasing team efficiency, accountability, and follow-through so that care team meetings lead to meaningful action and improved student support. Intended Audience: School psychologists, school counselors, social workers, administrators, special education staff, teachers, interventionists, and other professionals who participate in student support or problem-solving teams.

Join SEL coach Erin Shook from ROE 40, who focuses on an important aspect of supporting today's adolescents: understanding the teenage brain. Teenagers aren’t just “big kids”; their brains are still under construction. In this session, we’ll explore what makes the developing teenage brain unique, the challenges that come with adolescence, and what research tells us about how teens learn, regulate, connect, and make decisions. Participants will leave with practical ways to create classrooms and schools that better support the developing teenage brain. Registration closes 2/26/27 at 4:00 p.m.

We have heard a lot about trauma and its effects on our students and families over the years. During this session, Kevin McNicholas, SEL & Mental Health Coach for ROE 40, will take a deeper look at resiliency—what it really means, how it develops, and how we can help students and families build the skills needed to navigate adversity and thrive. This session pairs well with the earlier “Understanding the Teenage Brain” session, offering a natural next step from understanding adolescent development to supporting students as they build resilience. Registration closes 2/26/27 at 4:00 p.m.

ISBE Regional Financial Consultant Sarah Healy will facilitate this free roundtable session.  This session supports both veteran and novice bookkeepers. Rationale for the roundtable: Share best practices and problem-solving strategies across districts Support newer bookkeepers transitioning into these critical roles Support veteran bookkeepers in improving consistency in financial operations and compliance procedures Reduce isolation and build professional relationships Stay current on regulatory changes and new software/systems Strengthen collective knowledge to benefit all our districts Help support each other regardless of your bookkeeping software systems Potential Topics: State reporting requirements(procedures, timelines, deadlines) Audit review and best practices FOIA requests and records retention Software tips, tricks, and troubleshooting for vendor management Payroll and benefits administration tools Budget development timelines and quarterly changes Budget-to-actual reports for your Supt. Tax responsibilities and W2s Record retention guidelines Salary schedule implementation Grant management and tracking Multi-year forecasting strategies 6% bumps and other credible/non-credible earnings Section 125 Plans and other tax benefit plans CPPRT allocation requirements Capitalization thresholds