This academy is being presented by the Illinois Masonic Foundation at a discounted rate of $50.00 per person(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. Participants should bring a fully charged device to this session. The application/dissemination must be completed and submitted at the conclusion of the event. Registration closes Wednesday, September 23 at 12:00pm.  Cancellations must be made by Wednesday, September 23 at 12:00pm or the amount paid is non-refundable.

Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event date.

Jim Kestner will present his nationally recognized program in a high-energy session dedicated to helping experienced teachers address a wide range of classroom management issues. Teachers who attend will find strategies that lead students to make good choices, replacing controlling behaviors with strategies that lead students to monitor and take responsibility for their own behavior. Specifically, the session will address the following: * What teachers should know about teaching Generation Z * Developing character-based discipline * Addressing common challenging behaviors * Difference between controlling behaviors and building good decision-making skills * Consistency * Developing and implementing effective classroom policies * Establishing a character-building classroom environment * Teaching self-respect, self-discipline, and responsibility * Self-esteem vs. self-respect * Grading systems that encourage student effort and engagement * Assessing student behavior * Parent and administrator involvement   Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event date - time will be given for lunch (on your own).

This same session was presented virtually in January of 2026. Gain a deeper understanding of the new Enhanced ACT through the lens of MasteryPrep’s Mastery Pyramid!  Math and Science teachers will explore how to make ACT prep a natural part of the classroom culture through micro-practices, subject-specific strategy lessons, and isolated skill review.  Subject-specific cohorts will collaborate to develop a Time, Test, and Content Mastery ACTion Plan for immediate classroom implementation. Each participant will receive a copy of MasteryPrep’s Unofficial Teacher’s Guide to the ACT workbook and access to printable lesson plans and resources.    Registration closes September 28, 2026 at 10:00am to allow ample time to order and ship the manuals.

MasteryPrep’s Unofficial Teacher’s Guide to the ACT: a closer look at Math and Science Content Mastery Educators who have participated in either the virtual (January 2026) or in-person (October 20, 2026 8:30am-11:30am) MasteryPrep Unofficial Teacher’s Guide to the ACT workshop are invited to take a closer look at Content Mastery in this afternoon PD session! Math and Science teachers will walk in their students’ shoes with a mini test experience, learn how to analyze ACT questions by task and isolated skill, and discuss how and when strategies can be effective.  Cohorts will look closely at the tiered isolated skills of their subject area and decide which skills should be covered in the ACTion plan.  Time wil be reserved for individual and team planning with the available consultation of our MasteryPrep presenter.  Remember to bring your MasteryPrep’s Unofficial Teacher’s Guide to the ACT workbooks!   Registration closes September 28. 2026 at 10:00am in order to have ample time to order/ship the manuals.

This same session was presented virtually in January of 2026.  Gain a deeper understanding of the new Enhanced ACT through the lens of MasteryPrep’s Mastery Pyramid!  ELA teachers will explore how to make ACT prep a natural part of the classroom culture through micro-practices, subject-specific strategy lessons, and isolated skill review.  Subject-specific cohorts will collaborate to develop a Time, Test, and Content Mastery ACTion Plan for immediate classroom implementation. Each participant will receive a copy of MasteryPrep’s Unofficial Teacher’s Guide to the ACT workbook and access to printable lesson plans and resources.    Registration closes 9.28.26 at 10:00am to give ample time for ordering/shipping the manuals.  

Educators who have participated in either the virtual (January 2026)or in-person (October 21, 2026 8:30am-11:30am) MasteryPrep Unofficial Teacher’s Guide to the ACT workshop are invited to take a closer look at Content Mastery in this afternoon PD session! ELA teachers will walk in their students’ shoes with a mini test experience, learn how to analyze ACT questions by task and isolated skill, and discuss how and when strategies can be effective. Cohorts will look closely at the tiered isolated skills of their subject area and decide which skills should be covered in the ACTion plan. Time will be reserved for individual and team planning with the available consultation of our MasteryPrep presenter.  Remember to bring your MasteryPrep’s Unofficial Teacher’s Guide to the ACT workbooks!   Registration closes 9.28.26 at 10:00am to provide ample time to order/ship the manuals.