Month
Date
Upcoming Event
September
9/28/2023
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Behavioral Health in Schools
Join us for a collaborative group discussion about the challenges youth in schools are experiencing. Be a part of brainstorming potential solutions and sharing in dialogue with peers. This meeting will be held in person September 28, 2023 and February 22, 2024 and virtually December 14, 2023 and April 18, 2024. We will conclude the school year with an in person lunch on a date TBD. All meetings will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
9/28/2023
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wonder Walk - Observational Strategies through Nature Based Learning
Bring your colleagues and your family to this unique professional development opportunity where you will learn to promote PK-6 students' observational skills and curiosity about natural phenomena. On completion, you will have all the resources you need to replicate this experience with your own students right outside your classroom door.
October
10/5/2023
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
AA #4800- Demystifying the NGSS: Vertically Aligned Practices in Science Education
High-quality science instruction embodies a combination of explicit instruction of NGSS scientific practices and core scientific information. We will explore multiple practical methods of centering relevant instruction on scientific practices at all grade levels. A brief explanation of NGSS and an opportunity to explore how to use the NGSS website to plan a vertically- and horizontally-aligned curriculum will be included. After experiencing science instruction centered in NGSS scientific practices, the audience will discuss how to evaluate and develop science instruction that explicitly teaches NGSS scientific practices from kindergarten through high school.
10/5/2023
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Women in Leadership
Central Illinois Women in Leadership group meets to share our strengths and challenges in education. Specific agendas will be shared prior to the meetings.
10/10/2023
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
The Role and Importance of Risk Taking in Early Childhood
Join Jessica Schiek as she discusses the role, importance, and value of youth taking risks in early childhood and how it impacts further development.
10/11/2023
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
An Intro to AI in Education
Artificial intelligence is here, and unlike what you’ve seen in the movies, AI isn’t coming to destroy humans – it’s coming to disrupt our classrooms. Should educators be afraid, excited, or both? Can educators embrace AI’s potential while ensuring their students still learn the value of creating original work? Join us as we cut through the AI buzz and examine the implications of artificial intelligence in an educational setting. In particular, we’ll focus on how recently released and forthcoming AI tools could impact how students learn and create going forward, as well as how educators can stay ahead of the curve with ready-to-use AI resources. After this session, attendees will be able to: -Explain the history, current trends, and future trajectory of AI projects -Describe examples of AI use in everyday life and in education -Identify AI resources that offer both challenges and opportunities for educators
10/16/2023
8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
ROE 17 Secondary Science PLC Kickoff!
Target Audience: Secondary science teachers (6-12, all subjects) The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) were released over a decade ago, and teachers nationwide continue to report difficulty in realizing the vision of using Science and Engineering Practices to engage students in science learning. ROE17 is looking to build systems to support teachers and districts throughout the region. Join us as we come to a common understanding surrounding the expectations of the NGSS, consider how we can support our colleagues and schools, and collaborate around what a region-wide professional learning community could look like to enact change around our region.
10/17/2023
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Promoting Mental Health - Supporting Resilience through Nature Connections
Teaching level: PreK - 6 Sources of possible stress affecting children’s sound mental health will be identified. Attendees (including teachers and parents/caregivers) will explore characteristics of seasonal nature patterns that engage children in activities associated with sound mental health, such as positive self-esteem, environmental attachment, relaxation, managing emotions and self-calming as well as perspective taking and developing empathy. Social, emotional, spoken and written language skills, industriousness and artistic expression skills will be addressed. Sponsored by the Jobson Family Foundation
10/18/2023
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
ROE/District Health/Life Safety (HLS) Workshop
Target Audience: Superintendents and ROEs Join us to receive and discuss the most up-to-date HLS requirements, processes, guidance documents, forms, practices, and financing options. ISBE-approving architects will be present to provide information and share requirements, the approval process, common stumbling blocks, and practices. Small and whole-group discussions will occur to gain an understanding and share perspectives on all aspects of the Health/Life Safety processes: Amendments, 10-year Surveys, building permits, annual inspections, and financing. Lunch, and the event, sponsored by Scott Engstrom and GRP/Wegman.
10/20/2023
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Overview of Applied Restorative Practices
The aim of restorative practices is to develop community and to manage conflict and tensions by repairing harm and building relationships. This statement identifies both proactive (building relationships and developing community) and reactive (repairing harm and restoring relationships) approaches. The fundamental hypothesis of restorative practices is that human beings are happier, more cooperative, productive, and more likely to make positive changes in their behavior when those in positions of authority do things with them, rather than to them or for them. Participants will learn skills that can be utilized immediately to strengthen relationships and respond to conflict in classrooms, communities, or organizations. Participants will learn a range of strategies to use every day. -How to set high expectations while being supportive. -Practice how to provide direct feedback and how to ask questions that foster accountability. -Learn the most effective methods to resolve common conflicts.
10/23/2023
8:00 AM - 10/24/2023 3:30 PM
PECS: Level 1 Training
This workshop will meet October 23rd and 24th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. Target Audience- This session is designed for all members of the educational team who would like to learn about the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) including speech-language pathologists, parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, behavior analysists, psychologists, social workers, and/or other professionals who are providing services to/for individuals with developmental disabilities. Description of Workshop- This two-day training is designed to teach participants the theory behind the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and the protocols for how to appropriately implement the six phases of PECS. This Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is used to rapidly teach communication skills to those with limited functional speech. PECS promotes communication within a social context, without lengthy prerequisite training. Training in PECS begins by teaching a spontaneous request and goes on to teach additional communicative functions such as responding to questions and commenting. An added attraction for preschool children with autism and related disabilities is the high proportion of children who acquire independent speech. Participants will learn how to implement the six phases of PECS, plus attributes, through presenter demonstrations, video examples, and role-play opportunities. Participants will leave the workshop with an understanding of how to implement PECS with individuals with autism, related developmental disabilities, and/or limited communication skills.
10/24/2023
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Darkness to Light Training
Guided by the vision of a world where children can grow up happy, healthy, and safe, Darkness to Light is committed to empowering people to prevent child sexual abuse. We believe that protecting children is an adult’s responsibility, and that through education and training, adults will be empowered to act. Lunch will be provided.
10/26/2023
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Youth Mental Health First Aid is a designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. Courses will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Regional Office of Education #17 location at 201 E. Grove Street in Bloomington. Please plan to arrive prior to 8:30 a.m., doors open at 8:00 a.m. ROE #17 is the recipient of grant funding to offer this at no cost to individuals working in districts located within or serving McLean County students, or parents of McLean County students. If you are unsure whether you qualify, please email malottt@roe17.org to inquire. Lunch will be included and each individual will have a section of Avanti's gondola and chips. If you have food allergies, it is recommended to bring your own lunch or notify us a week in advance. A stipend of $150 will be payable to districts to offset the cost of sending staff during a school day. The stipend is grant funded and will be issued until, and unless, funding is exhausted. Priority of payment for the stipend will be for those who register first.
10/28/2023
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Forest Education
Topic: Teaching Science Through Exploration Teaching level: Elementary This workshop will take participants on a walk through the forest, and time, to reach a natural state of exploration. It is there they will make personal connections to NGSS standards and the 5E strategy of addressing them in the classroom. Each teacher will get a classroom set of magnifying glasses just by participating in this PD. Sponsored by the Jobson Family Foundation
November
11/9/2023
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Youth Mental Health First Aid is a designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. Courses will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Regional Office of Education #17 location at 201 E. Grove Street in Bloomington. Please plan to arrive prior to 8:30 a.m., doors open at 8:00 a.m. ROE #17 is the recipient of grant funding to offer this at no cost to individuals working in districts located within or serving McLean County students, or parents of McLean County students. If you are unsure whether you qualify, please email malottt@roe17.org to inquire. Lunch will be included and each individual will have a section of Avanti's gondola and chips. If you have food allergies, it is recommended to bring your own lunch or notify us a week in advance. A stipend of $150 will be payable to districts to offset the cost of sending staff during a school day. The stipend is grant funded and will be issued until, and unless, funding is exhausted. Priority of payment for the stipend will be for those who register first.
11/9/2023
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Women in Leadership
Central Illinois Women in Leadership group meets to share our strengths and challenges in education. Specific agendas will be shared prior to the meetings.
11/17/2023
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Proactive and Responsive Circles Pathways
Circles are an essential process for building social capital, creating a positive community environment. Participants will learn by joining in circles with other attendees; taking turns to learn how to facilitate. Participants will be prepared to return to any setting and proficiently run proactive and responsive circles.
December
12/7/2023
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Connecting with IL AHEC to support students with interests in health related fields
-This session is ideal for health educators, counselors, guidance, and others. -This session will be virtual and can be accessed via link provided after registration. -There is no fee for this session
12/8/2023
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Women in Leadership
Central Illinois Women in Leadership group meets to share our strengths and challenges in education. Specific agendas will be shared prior to the meetings.
12/14/2023
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Behavioral Health in Schools (Virtual Meeting)
Join us for a collaborative group discussion about the challenges youth in schools are experiencing. Be a part of brainstorming potential solutions and sharing in dialogue with peers. This meeting will be held in person September 28, 2023 and February 22, 2024 and virtually December 14, 2023 and April 18, 2024. We will conclude the school year with an in person lunch on a date TBD. All meetings will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
12/15/2023
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Applying Restorative Practices through a Trauma Informed Lens
Trauma doesn’t discriminate; it affects people of every race, age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic level. Trauma can be a single isolated event or a series of events, and a traumatic experience involves some type of a threat to one’s physical or emotional well-being and can bring out feelings of terror, helplessness, and lack of control and power. Traumatic experiences can impact and alter an individual’s perception of themselves, their world, and the people around them and can disrupt the victim’s biological, cognitive, and emotional functioning as well as their identity, relationships, and social interactions. Participants will learn how to respond to adversity and trauma through a restorative lens.
12/18/2023
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Darkness to Light Training
Guided by the vision of a world where children can grow up happy, healthy, and safe, Darkness to Light is committed to empowering people to prevent child sexual abuse. We believe that protecting children is an adult’s responsibility, and that through education and training, adults will be empowered to act. Lunch will be provided.
January
1/19/2024
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Restorative Practices WITH Social/Emotional Learning
Students thrive when they’re supported by a network of adults who nurture their learning and development. Community organizations and schools can partner to ensure students hear a common message about SEL and have opportunities throughout the day to develop healthy relationships, share their feelings and perspectives, and pursue goals and interests. Participants will learn how to incorporate social/emotional learning through a restorative lens.
1/23/2024
8:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Understanding the Role of Executive Functioning
Understanding the role of executive functioning in learning, how to support it and build it up in students, and how it may be different for those who are neurodivergent. Join us for a presentation by Dr. Jennifer Imig Huffman, neuropsychologist and owner of The ABLE Center, as she shares helpful information about better understanding executive functioning. This session will be virtual and a link will be provided after registration.
1/25/2024
8:30 AM - 1/26/2024 3:30 PM
AA #2000 Principal Evaluation Training for Pre-Qualified Principal Evaluators
This 2-day course (January 25th & 26th) will cover all aspects of principal evaluations, including professional practice and student growth data. AA #2000 requires pre-work to be completed prior to the first day the course meets. Participants must attend both days of the course and complete the required Application for Dissemination for each day to receive credit for AA #2000. This course will provide participants with the knowledge to 1) identify and disseminate minimum state requirements, performance standards and best practices; 2) facilitate a common language and dialogue around performance and its impact on school improvement, professional practice, and student outcomes; and 3) encourage collaboration, learning, and alignment among stakeholders. This is a high-quality, scalable, sustainable, and user-focused content and delivery model.
1/25/2024
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Administrator Academy # 1865: Principal Evaluator Competency Skill Building for Pre-Qualified Principal Evaluators
The Academy focuses on a high rate of interrater reliability using the required performance evaluation ratings. Using case studies, the participants will collect evidence and use the Illinois Standards for Principal Evaluation to rate the principals. Participants will use data collected from the case studies and compare the data to best practices for evaluating principals and assistant principals. This data will also be analyzed to prepare administrative and school-level professional development plans. Participants will prepare targeted professional development, in a collaborative and supportive way, plans that consider past results and contribute to professional and personal growth. This plan will be aligned to the school improvement plan. The instructional environment indicators will be analyzed. The purpose of the evaluation plan will be to communicate the outcomes and findings in such a manner that the principals and assistant principals set goals for improvement. The participants own personal bias will be analyzed while making these decisions.
1/26/2024
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
AA #3000 Teacher and Principal Evaluator Student Growth Retraining Academy
This is the one required student growth retraining course for principal and teacher evaluators who are renewing their designations required to evaluate staff. Evaluators will be required to participate in a pre-session webinar that will review Part 50 Administrative Rules as they relate to student growth. Participants will learn how to: 1. Use assessments and measurement models identified by the joint committee in determining the student growth attributable to individual teachers/principals and understand how different types of assessments are used for measuring growth; 2. Use data from the evaluation rubric, other evidence collected, and best practices relative to evaluating student growth to link teacher/principal and school-level professional development plans to evaluation results; 3. Create, in collaboration with teachers/principals, supportive, targeted professional development plans that consider past results, contribute to professional growth, and assist teachers/principals in aligning professional development and goal-setting to school improvement goals; and 4. Communicate evaluation outcomes and findings in constructive and supportive ways that enable teachers/principals to set goals and improve practice. NOTE: Participants will have one week following the Academy to complete their A/D Component and send their completed E-Template to the presenter for review and comment.
February
2/1/2024
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Women in Leadership
Central Illinois Women in Leadership group meets to share our strengths and challenges in education. Specific agendas will be shared prior to the meetings.
2/2/2024
8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
2024 History Symposium- It's Not About the Answer: Using Social Studies to Ask Big Questions
This in-person Symposium is open to Illinois Pre-K, Elementary, Middle and Secondary Level History-Social Sciences Educators, Community Educators, Pre-Service & Student Teachers. Disciplines represented: History (US & World), Government, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, & Geography
2/16/2024
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging WITH Restorative Practices
Students thrive when they’re supported by a network of adults who nurture their learning and development. Community organizations and schools can partner to ensure students hear a common message about SEL and have opportunities throughout the day to develop healthy relationships, share their feelings and perspectives, and pursue goals and interests. Participants will learn how to incorporate social/emotional learning through a restorative lens.
2/22/2024
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Behavioral Health in Schools
Join us for a collaborative group discussion about the challenges youth in schools are experiencing. Be a part of brainstorming potential solutions and sharing in dialogue with peers. This meeting will be held in person September 28, 2023 and February 22, 2024 and virtually December 14, 2023 and April 18, 2024. We will conclude the school year with an in person lunch on a date TBD. All meetings will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
2/27/2024
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Supporting Student and Staff Self-Care
Join Maggie Lakebrink as she discusses the importance of self-care for staff in school settings, while also holding space for the care that the youth in schools need.
March
3/7/2024
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Women in Leadership
Central Illinois Women in Leadership group meets to share our strengths and challenges in education. Specific agendas will be shared prior to the meetings.
3/15/2024
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Transforming Communities WITH Restorative Conversations
Students thrive when they’re supported by a network of adults who nurture their learning and development. Community organizations and schools can partner to ensure students hear a common message about SEL and have opportunities throughout the day to develop healthy relationships, share their feelings and perspectives, and pursue goals and interests. Participants will learn how to incorporate social/emotional learning through a restorative lens.
April
4/12/2024
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Restorative Practices as a Leadership Model
Restorative Practices as a leadership model is a strategic approach for improving organizational culture and overall well-being. Restorative practices are not learned from listening to a lecture, by only reading books nor can it be handed down by a company’s leadership. They can only be learned by doing. An organization that truly wants to implement restorative practices must do so in a manner consistent with what those practices represent–engaging its employees in a journey of cooperative learning and change. Participants will learn the value of how to transform their leadership WITH restorative practices.
4/16/2024
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Women in Leadership
Central Illinois Women in Leadership group meets to share our strengths and challenges in education. Specific agendas will be shared prior to the meetings.
4/18/2024
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Behavioral Health in Schools (Virtual Meeting)
Join us for a collaborative group discussion about the challenges youth in schools are experiencing. Be a part of brainstorming potential solutions and sharing in dialogue with peers. This meeting will be held in person September 28, 2023 and February 22, 2024 and virtually December 14, 2023 and April 18, 2024. We will conclude the school year with an in person lunch on a date TBD. All meetings will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
May
5/17/2024
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Restorative Practices and Civic Engagement
Restorative Practices are truly a form of participatory democracy in that they build and heal communities, and serve to work through, resolve, and transform conflicts. Restorative practices is a philosophy, a way of being, not a program or initiative. Civic and community engagement includes strategies to organize individuals for collective action, as well as strategies to make sure that all voices in a community are heard as part of inclusive decision-making. These strategies can help build various kinds of social capital. Participants will explore civic engagement through a restorative lens.
June
6/4/2024
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Women in Leadership
Central Illinois Women in Leadership group meets to share our strengths and challenges in education. Specific agendas will be shared prior to the meetings.