There are dramatic differences in the quality of teachers in every school. If all teachers could be more like the best teachers, then we would have significant improvement in every school. Every building has special teachers who connect with all students and consistently engage them in learning. This session focuses on what educational leaders can do to get all of the teachers to be like their best teachers.
In this workshop, participants will learn practical strategies and insightful approaches aimed at diffusing heightened situations and fostering a sense of calm in interpersonal dynamics. Explore proven techniques for effective communication, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence, equipping yourself with valuable skills to navigate challenging moments for better outcomes.
A sense of belonging within a school community is perhaps our most powerful tool to promote not only student well being and resilience but to enhance student academic engagement. A sense of belonging is associated with higher academic achievement, better attendance, improved behavior, and reductions in mental health problems, among many other benefits. Unfortunately, there is a crisis of belonging in our schools. Drawing upon research from brain science, social sciences, education and 30 years of practice within schools, this session will help participants uncover the positive impact of a belonging community on students and staff, discuss factors that threaten a student's sense of belonging and provide strategies that can be implemented immediately to create a belonging community in our classrooms and in our schools.
This presentation is geared towards instructional leaders who are responsible for facilitating Data Driven Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). Through this session, instructional leaders will see how we collect data from multiple sources to analyze student learning and address the 4 PLC questions. In our district we use an online assessment platform to administer common assessments and then track the learning by student and by standard. We pull the data from the assessments out of the online program and use spreadsheets to track the data for each student over the course of the year. As a PLC team, we use protocols to analyze the data to track our SMART goal progress and determine which students need additional support or extension.
Our presentation will show how our district implemented leadership and character education into our school day to help students understand what it means to be a leader. We wanted to implement something in the district that would be universal for all grade levels. We have worked on social emotions skills with K-4th grade. Some of these lessons focus on responsible decision making and coping strategies. Our social emotional skills program has provided students with a sense of belonging. They are learning that everyone has big emotions, ways to handle these emotions, and these lessons have helped them to feel connected to others in the building. Our 5th-8th grade has been focusing on leadership and what it means to be a leader. We have common ideas such as “model the way” that we use when talking to students about behavioral choices. We have done projects that help students learn about the challenges of leadership and how to inspire a share vision for what we want our building to be. Even with all of these lessons going on, we made time for fun! We created “families” within our entire district. We have had several family days this year where we have done some fun projects and bonding. During these family days, students are practicing the skills they have learned in our social emotional and leadership lesson time. The work we have done has provided a great experience for all this year. We feel that we have a welcoming and positive environment for all of our students and staff. We have seen a decrease in our discipline numbers and an increase in our attendance.
As an instructional coach, it is easy to fall into the “advice trap.” This does little to empower the teachers we work with as coaches. In this session, we will explore questioning techniques that uncover unknown thinking in our teachers and help to elevate instructional practices in order to raise student achievement. We will dive into the purpose of the questions that are the most effective and identify ways to incorporate these into our coaching conversations.
One of the most effective ways to truly see if students are understanding what they are reading is to have them engage with a reader’s notebook. In this session, we are going to discuss different reading response strategies teachers can immediately use in their classrooms with students. These strategies will not only help students cultivate their identity as a reader, but will get them engaged in their reading and will have them engaging with each other.
In this session, we will discuss how to create built-in intervention time that works specifically at the high school level. Participants will unpack the complexities of meeting both the academic & SEL needs of all learners by using data driven interventions and enrichments. Participants will leave with actionable strategies for their school centered around the use of the PLC process to drive data-driven targeted interventions. We will share how we have learned to meet the needs of not only struggling students but also high achieving students through enrichment activities that are meaningful to them and teachers within the building!
Knowing vocabulary words is imperative to reading comprehension as a student will only comprehend to their level of vocabulary knowledge, especially for English Language Learners. However, the knowledge of what vocabulary words mean is only part of the process. Learning about parts of words (prefix, suffix, and root words), and how they come together to make up the English language can help readers understand words while reading. Attend this session to learn more about evidence based vocabulary strategies that will help all learners, including multilingual/English learners contextualize, rather than memorize vocabulary. Strategies will cover Pre-Kindergarten through High School.
Network Capacity Coach, IL MTSS Network/Northern Illinois University
Kari Harris is a Network Capacity Coach located in the northern region of Illinois. She has educational experience as a classroom teacher, a reading specialist, a literacy coach, and an instructional coach. Kari earned a Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 9:30am - 10:30am CST
Hinsdale
Do you feel like fun has been removed from writing instruction? Are students groaning when informed they will be completing a writing assignment? Writing memoirs brings excitement back and allows students to explore their identities while improving writing abilities. By engaging in memoir writing, students will learn narrative techniques such as dialogue and figurative language. Writers must discover how to engage readers by addressing plot features and using effective word choice. Sharing memoirs can be cathartic while also building community within the classroom.
Dr. Katie Hoving has been a high school teacher for 18 years. She taught special education for ten years with a focus on teaching Reading and English. She earned her Masters in Literacy from Judson University in 2009. Eight years ago, she made the switch to teaching general education... Read More →
Kim Millard has been a special education teacher at the high school level for 12 years. She currently co-teaches English 10 and Literacy Lab, the reading intervention course, as well as these same courses at the resource (self-contained) level. However, she has been teaching some... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 9:30am - 10:30am CST
Ballroom I-J
Participants will get ideas of how to incorporate a "Thinking Classroom" into their junior high math classes by getting students up and moving around to promote engagement. This format allows all students to take part in randomized groups and collaboratively work together on solving curricular problems. Teachers will learn how to turn their current curricular questions into "thinking" questions that better allow their students to do the thinking. Teachers will also participate in a BTC lesson, so they can see how this looks in a classroom. Teachers will also be shown possible templates to use for their BTC problems and how to utilize them in their classrooms.
What are the specific qualities and practices of great educational leaders that elevate them above the rest? This session reveals what the most effective leaders do differently than their colleagues. Participants will focus on what the most successful leaders do . . . that others do not. Everyone will leave knowing what great leaders do differently, why these things make them more effective, and learn how to immediately implement each of these into your own districts and schools.
Pleasant Valley, an urban district with 95% poverty, has reduced its office referrals and suspensions by over half through a robust SEL approach, a fidelity culture, district wide procedures, and raising their behavior expectations for students and parents. All of which have contributed to improved climate, classroom management, and student achievement. Participants will understand how to implement this behavior blueprint to make cultural shifts and improve student relationships regardless of school size or obstacles.
Self Care is a word that is heard often. We are told to practice self care, take care of ourselves, put your oxygen mask on before you help others but what does that really look like? As educators we naturally give and take care of others before we take care of ourselves, how can we fix that? Our building principal and social worker worked together using a variety of resources to put together a year long plan focusing each month on a self care habit. These habits are applicable to the adults in your system but also applicable to the youngest students. Learn more about his process and plan and take away ideas that you can implement to incorporate these habits of self care into your classroom and building.
This session will focus on achievement data collected in a suburban Chicago dual language school. A true Two-Way program, this presentation will show literacy growth in two languages among students coming from English, Spanish and bilingual homes. Data suggests that students learning bilingually demonstrate high levels of literacy in both languages of instruction. Presenters will focus on assessment data through a bilingual lens, strategies for cross-linguistic connections and strategies for effective lesson planning and instruction.
The success of any Multi-Tiered System of Supports begins with focused leadership and a strong Tier 1. Join other school and district leaders to learn about potential roadblocks to a strong Tier 1 and actions steps to move your MTSS work forward.
Network Capacity Coach, IL MTSS-Network/Northern Illinois University
I was a general education teacher for 20 years, mostly elementary, and have been coaching schools and districts on implementing MTSS for 9 years. I also have some administrative experience. I spent my time in rural schools and admire them for their "many hat" efforts to do their best... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am CST
Ballroom A-B
Attendees will be able to analyze the importance of the social-emotional learning (SEL) component within the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, and advocate for its integration and continuous improvement within the district's educational policies and practices.
Instructional coaching offers a powerful approach to not only enhance teaching practices but also to profoundly impact student engagement. In this session, participants will explore the foundational principles of instructional coaching and its direct correlation to student engagement. We will unpack strategies for leveraging coaching techniques to create learning environments where every student feels seen, heard, and motivated to excel.
Instructional Coach, Kane County Regional Office of Education
Hello!My name is Elsa Glover and I'm an instructional coach for Kane County Regional Office of Education. I earned my Bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in English and History. Then I earned my Master's in Arts and Teaching at Aurora University.My teaching career started... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am CST
Monarch
Administrators will learn how to collaborate with teacher teams to address student learning problems. The session includes an overview of a research-based learning cycle that explicitly addresses the root cause of student learning problems while providing structures to administrators and teacher teams for collaboration. Learning cycles is a systemic approach to teacher teams collaborating to improve student learning by using data to identify a specific responsive strategy to improve student learning. This includes analysis of trend and learning gap data. Implementing a learning cycle promotes distributed leadership throughout the teacher team, addresses comprehensive data analysis and review, identifies needed resources, professional learning, and setting SMART goals to measure the effect of the selected responsive strategy.
This session will focus on leveraging professional learning structures within the school day to improve quality instruction, increase rigor and challenge, and raise student achievement. There are two easy to implement systems any school can use, which will help support student learning and improve instruction: learning walks and a cohort PLC model. During this session, I will share how we utilized learning walks, including preparing our staff, partnering staff members, determining a focus, and collecting and sharing data. The other professional learning structure to support teachers and students is a cohort framework. I will share how our teachers successfully utilized an action learning cycle within a cohort focused on a professional learning topic. Staff members met on a regular basis, collaborated, and shared successes and next steps. I will share our successes and do-overs with topic selection, accountability, and how the cohorts moved forward on their professional learning journey, even with some being resistant. These two frameworks, learning walks and cohorts, allowed us to create and maintain consistent, in house professional learning that moved instruction and student learning forward over the course of two years.
Maps can be used in any subject area to provide a unique look at the world - to visualize data, observe patterns and relationships, and seek new insights based on analysis. This session will introduce you to two free, GIS mapping platforms that only require Internet connectivity.
MapMaker, a National Geographic and Esri, Inc. collaboration, allows teachers and students to explore and design maps, using basic GIS tools. Students can add map symbols and layers of curated data to show information. Swipe and filtering tools make it easy to compare and analyze data.
GeoInquiries™ are free, ready-to-use, GIS-based mapping activities, based on inquiry methods. An amazing array of introductory GIS map activities, created by Esri’s Education Team, connect to curriculum for various subjects at multiple grade levels. You can present an activity with one computer or as a hands-on activity for students. They gently introduce the teacher and the students to the interactive world of digital maps and help you see traditional content in new ways.
See how a map can enhance a topic you are teaching and engage your students in GIS mapping and inquiry.
What do you do when student(s) are not responding to an intervention? This session will provide evidence-based strategies to improve intervention outcomes for these students. You will learn how to systematically make changes to an intervention’s strength, dosage, alignment and generalizability to improve learning outcomes. Join us to learn more and take helpful new ideas and tools back to your classroom to strengthen intervention for all your students!
Network Capacity Coach, IL MTSS Network/Northern Illinois University
Kari Harris is a Network Capacity Coach located in the northern region of Illinois. She has educational experience as a classroom teacher, a reading specialist, a literacy coach, and an instructional coach. Kari earned a Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am CST
Hinsdale
This professional development session is designed to enhance your understanding of how to effectively unpack standards and integrate learning intentions into assessments and lesson planning. In this session, participants will delve into strategies for deconstructing standards to identify key concepts, skills, and knowledge. We will explore the importance of collaborating with your team to align learning intentions with standards to create meaningful assessments and lessons that promote growth, achievement, and equitable learning opportunities for all learners. This session will provide practical tools and resources that can be immediately applied in the classroom.
This presentation will detail how a Title I district utilized the Equity Journey Continuum to significantly increase accelerated placement opportunities for K-8 students. By adopting a holistic approach that focuses on equitable access to advanced academic programs, the district has addressed systemic barriers and promoted higher academic achievement across diverse student populations. This session will provide attendees with actionable strategies and a replicable model for using the Equity Journey Continuum to enhance accelerated placement in their own districts, ultimately contributing to a more equitable educational landscape.
As we looked to increase academic rigor in our school we realized that many students struggled with self regulation when confronted with a difficult or rigorous task. Our School Improvement Leadership Team utilized the Cycles of Inquiry process to develop a systematic plan to track emotional responses and then provide consistent strategies to empower students to self regulate. Learn more about our process and the self regulation strategies that students learned in this process.
Just as sports teams tend to perform better when they play at home, our students excel when they are in a comfortable classroom where they feel safe and encouraged. In this interactive session, participants will experience several activities that they can take back to their classrooms to help establish their own home court advantage. Building relationships is imperative, so we offer strategies to use not just in August but throughout the year to maintain the levels of excitement that sports fans feel when cheering on their favorite teams.
As educators, we are often adept at identifying and then filling in the specific academic skills impeding a student’s ability to succeed in a content area; however when it comes to behaviors, our focus often shifts from a student demonstrating gaps in learning based on the absence of a specific skills to punishment or exclusion. This session will focus on how to create and implement an alternative discipline framework that puts learning at the center by matching restorative, reflective and instructional consequences to infractions and focusing on learning and developing SEL competencies while focusing on the learning that needs to take place to change the demonstrated behavior. Participants will engage in deep reflection of their current systems and how they support or inhibit student learning and walk away with a new approach to classroom and school based behavior management which will lead to increased student achievement. Participants will identify the SEL skills needed to address the presenting behaviors and walk away with multiple plans, forms and templates to address different frequent types of behavior incidents that impede access to ongoing academic learning. You will feel empowered with the extensive resources provided as examples and strategies that can be utilized for multiple types of behavior incidents impeding focus on academic learning. You’ll find you have much more time to teach after this session and your students will be able to learn!
** Open House Format ** Spend time in this session exploring a variety of social emotional learning games and mindful activities - HANDS ON! Play, explore, experiment with these SEL games and mindful activities in real time to get ideas for your classroom. Resources featured include: Breaking Barriers Down, Icebreaker Linemaker, Connect More, Head Rush, You Know, Ouisi, Mindfulness Matters, Rory’s Story Cubes, Hygge Game. Additionally, a variety of mindful activities will be showcased for educators to practice in real time and take back to their classrooms. Register to WIN - One complete set of the resources will be given away in a raffle drawing!
This workshop will cover two different approaches to coaching for systemic SEL in rural school districts. Discussions will include SEL coaching, data-driven school improvement plans, and ongoing professional learning. Participants will receive a customized scope and sequence to support educator and student SEL.
Professional Learning Specialist, Regional Office of Education #33
Jessica Donaldson serves as a Behavioral Health Consultant at Regional Office of Education #33 with over 15 years of extensive experience in Behavioral Health. Her expertise lies in bridging the gap between behavioral health and education through comprehensive training, coaching... Read More →
Are you looking for strategies that facilitate lively, thoughtful classroom discussions? Are you hoping to spur more balanced dialogue that encourages all students to participate? Are you looking for strategies to help your students navigate challenging conversations in your classroom? Come hear about and try out a variety of different strategies that encourage and model ways to encourage student participation in any classroom discussion. This session will be interactive, focusing on tools and strategies that encourage a balanced, lively classroom discussion whatever the topic or content area. Both small and large group discussion techniques will be discussed and modeled.
This presentation looks at the proven benefits of flipping the traditional model, where students engage with content outside class, enabling richer in-class experiences. We will look at activities that promote active learning, accommodating diverse learning styles and boosting student engagement and achievement. We will discuss a student-centered environment that cultivates success in Geometry and beyond.
In this session, we'll delve into a range of rigorous problem-solving tasks designed to cater to the diverse needs of learners in your classroom. Through interactive discussions, we'll explore the effective use of small group instruction to tailor lessons that are intentional, targeted, and impactful in improving student achievement.
Our primary focus will be on the intricacies of lesson planning using the backward design approach, where we'll emphasize the importance of aligning instructional goals with rigorous problem-solving tasks. Additionally, we'll delve into the significance of integrating performance indicators and data analysis into your teaching practices to ensure student progress is accurately monitored and guided.
Expect to leave this session equipped with a comprehensive toolkit that includes ready-to-use resources and practical strategies, all geared towards immediate implementation in your classroom. Through hands-on activities and collaborative learning opportunities, you'll gain valuable insights into fostering differentiated instruction that caters to the unique learning needs of each student. By the session's end, you'll be empowered with the skills and knowledge to effectively guide your students towards reaching grade-level proficiency through personalized and data-driven instructional approaches.
In this session, discover how to enhance student learning with AI – at any age. Kelli will share specific teaching ideas and workflows that allow even the little students to learn how to learn with AI … even in the landscape of ever evolving tech.
Raising student achievement is about moving students from novice to expert. In mathematics, becoming an expert relies heavily on the ability to problem-solve. What I have discovered is that my typical homework assignments have removed a crucial step in the problem-solving process: identifying the deep structure of the problem. The questions on my assignments often provided only surface-level variations of questions with the same underlying problem structure. To become experts, students need experience identifying the deep structure of problems, selecting appropriate mathematical concepts, and planning strategies to apply those concepts. To provide this necessary experience to students, I began to integrate purposeful instruction in metacognition, utilizing a blend of mathematical tasks and journaling in my Algebra 2 classroom. In this session, we will explore the implementation of metacognitive instruction in the classroom along with its outcomes. Additionally, we'll examine existing assignments and brainstorm strategies to enhance them, fostering students' development as adept problem solvers.
Grading systems in the United States date back to the 17th century, beginning in higher education. Grades have shown student achievement, progress towards grade-level learning standards, and process or conduct and effort. Grading is a small part of a much bigger picture, leading to learning.
Grading focusing on student achievement and specific learning standards within each academic subject has become popular in public education. In education, learning standards represent the educational goals of teaching and learning. Standards-based education has been centered around the idea that learning standards were established on specific knowledge and skills that all students should be able to know and perform as a result of their education. The standards-based grading system is a practice that bases students’ grades on their performance of clearly defined learning objectives rather than completing assignments and tests or accumulating points. A student’s grades should reflect only what a student knows and can do.
Moreover, grades provide feedback, document progress toward grade-level learning standards, and assist teachers in making decisions about students' instructional needs. Research states that grades should reflect students’ performance based on specific learning criteria. Standards-based grading systems should reflect what students know, understand, and can do.
In this session, Mike, South Cook, IL. 2023 Elementary School Principal of the Year, will share the punk rock mindset and how the ideas of PASSION, UNITY, & DIY create classrooms and schools where students and staff are engaged, are ALL part of the culture and learning, and have ownership of what happens. Punk Rock Classrooms focuses on uniting educators to drop egos, work together emphasizing their own strengths and relying on their crew where they may have an area of growth. Educators do not need flashy programs, software, or scripted curriculum to engage our students. With the punk rock mindset, educators can bring life changing lessons to their students that will not be forgotten. There is no reason that a classroom should not resemble that punk show you still remember 20 years later: small club, no flashy lights or pyrotechnics, cramped sweaty youth in the pit together, singing along and being just as much of the show as the band. Our classrooms need to resemble this, students moving around, collaborating and working together, taking over the “mic” and taking charge of their learning on their terms. A teacher should be in the middle of the classroom, moving around and facilitating just as when that hardcore vocalist turns the mic to the crowd and has them sing the chorus. The band is there to facilitate, but the crowd is taking the energy where they know it needs to go. Our teachers need to step aside and let our students do this.
Principal, Oak Glen Elementary School - Lansing SD 158
Michael Earnshaw is a father, husband, and elementary school principal. He is the author of The EduCulture Cookbook: Recipes and Dishes to Positively Transform School and Classroom Culture with EduMatch Publishing and co-host of the Punk Rock Classrooms Podcast. Michael strives to... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
Ballroom A-B
School teachers and administrators are key to building a strong school community. Join us in this session as we share strategies that you can implement within your current structures in order to develop more inclusive practices. As a platform for discussion, four strategies will be shared that center around 1) reflecting on personal practices in how we show up for our students and staff in ways that are open and inclusive, 2) strengthening School Improvement Plans to reflect an equitable lens, 3) reviewing school data sources and committee structures to ensure that we are focused on all students and their individual growth, and 4) realigning our stakeholder engagement practices in ways that best reflect the students and communities we serve. Our goal is for you to leave our session with concrete next steps that can easily be implemented in order to achieve your goals around building a thriving and inclusive school community.
Do the best staff members do too much and your worst employees too little? Are there people in your organizations who work at avoiding doing work? Do you know anyone who whines, pouts, or complains endlessly? This session is just what you need. This session will help everyone lead their organizations more effectively. Come and join the fun as you learn how to shift the monkey!
Effective feedback lies at the heart of growth and improvement in education. However, providing feedback that truly resonates with educators and drives meaningful change can be a challenging endeavor. In this session, participants will explore the art and science of feedback, discovering how it can serve as a catalyst for professional growth and enhanced student outcomes.
Instructional Coach, Kane County Regional Office of Education
Hello!My name is Elsa Glover and I'm an instructional coach for Kane County Regional Office of Education. I earned my Bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in English and History. Then I earned my Master's in Arts and Teaching at Aurora University.My teaching career started... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Monarch
Discover the essential building blocks for fostering a positive classroom climate in this interactive breakout session. Explore how intentional relationship-building, community-building activities, and social-emotional learning strategies lay the groundwork for effective tier one instruction. Learn practical techniques to establish a safe, inclusive environment where students feel valued and supported, enabling them to engage fully in learning. Unlock the keys to creating a classroom culture where every student can thrive, setting the stage for academic success.
Are you looking for strategies to improve student focus, supplement class instruction, and boost test scores? This session offers instructional tips for incorporating physical activity into the classroom. Learn how to integrate brain breaks and energize your classroom.
Michael Earnshaw, South Cook IL. 2023 Elementary Principal of the Year, will guide and pace attendees through a half-marathon’s worth of lessons, tips, and strategies to not only make them more comfortable taking risks, collaborating, and getting out of their comfort zones, but also reaching and building positive relationships with EVERY student that is in their school. Through honest & personal storytelling, Michael will engage attendees & share simple, practical, yet powerful techniques to improve school and classroom culture. Michael’s activities and stories focus on empowering our staff to know that every school year is different, just as every half-marathon is, but with the proper training and understanding of all the different facets and obstacles we may face, we can always be a positive influence in those we serve and finish our race, together. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of their own strengths and how they can best serve their staff, students, and community.
Principal, Oak Glen Elementary School - Lansing SD 158
Michael Earnshaw is a father, husband, and elementary school principal. He is the author of The EduCulture Cookbook: Recipes and Dishes to Positively Transform School and Classroom Culture with EduMatch Publishing and co-host of the Punk Rock Classrooms Podcast. Michael strives to... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Ballroom A-B
Want students to be college and career ready in the 21st century? Start by designing student experiences based on the science of how people actually learn. Thanks to recent research from multiple fields, we now know how to radically increase student learning. In this interactive session, learn about the four major principles that can transform teaching practice, using concrete examples. Then, ground what we explore in the reality of your schools. Throughout the session, generate ideas for curriculum, instruction, and assessment that will lead to significantly greater success for your students.
All students deserve a great education. To make that happen, I work with educational leaders to enhance district and school transformation efforts. I specialize in helping educators focus on the changes to leadership, instruction, professional learning networks, and climate and culture... Read More →
Adolescent readers struggle with comprehension when they aren't able to lift the words off the page, but what happens when they are fluent, but they still don't understand what they read? Explicit vocabulary instruction is an essential strand in the Reading Rope. This session aims to share ways to support vocabulary acquisition while supporting comprehension. Participants will walk away with ready-to-use strategies to increase vocabulary, and even build some background knowledge in the process!
We’ve all heard about the Science of Reading, but what about the Science of Learning? This session unveils a roadmap empowering educators to optimize student learning. Journey through cutting-edge research illuminating the intricacies of how the brain learns. Dive deep into transformative learning strategies with proven impact and uncover their practical application in the classroom. Assess your current strategies to ensure you're maximizing efficacy and student outcomes. Join us to revolutionize your teaching approach and unlock the full potential of your students.
Successful partnerships with colleagues and families are built on effective collaboration. This is crucial for implementing inclusive practices and promoting student academic and social-emotional learning. In our discussion, we will cover communication styles, challenges to collaboration, and strategies for improving partnerships with general educators, special educators, paraprofessionals, administrators, and families. We will also provide resources that can be implemented immediately.
Educators inevitably face the complex challenge of supporting students with behavioral and academic needs. This session, "Empowering Educators: Resourceful Strategies for Supporting Students with High Behavioral and Academic Needs," is designed to equip educators with practical and equity-driven strategies and solutions to meet these challenges head-on. Participants will learn how to implement compassionate interventions aligned with the CASEL SEL Framework that foster a positive and inclusive environment so students can thrive this year and beyond. This session also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between teachers, administrators, and support staff. Participants will leave with actionable insights and strategies that can be immediately applied in their own educational settings. Discover how you can transform your approach to supporting students in challenging situations, and together we can create a more supportive, equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students.
Executive functioning consists of many different processes that allow individuals to manage their everyday lives. It’s the skills we acquire that allow us to plan and organize our lives while managing ourselves emotionally. Without control of our executive functioning skills, we struggle to activate ourselves to take action, to stay focused and retain information to our long-term memory, to regulate our emotions and manage our frustrations. Our students require intense and explicit instruction in these areas more than ever before. Teachers will learn about each of the key components of executive functioning, the challenges of teaching executive functioning, and strategies to teach executive functioning skills in the classroom.
David Brannstrom is an instructional coach, with a specialization in special education, in Burlington, Illinois. David began his educational journey in 2004 as a middle school special education case manager and is currently an instructional coach/tech with an emphasis on special education... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Oak Brook
What does Taylor Swift have to do with the Trojan War? What does Black Panther have to do with the Epic of Sundiata? Embark on a journey through the realms of mythology and folklore in this breakout session designed for educators seeking to develop an engaging curriculum for high school students. Mythology and folklore serve as windows into the collective imagination of cultures around the world, offering rich opportunities for exploration and interpretation. In this session, we will delve into the process of designing a comprehensive course that goes beyond Greek mythology and introduces students to the captivating tales, symbolic motifs, and cultural significance embedded within world mythology. Learn how to select compelling narratives from diverse cultures and time periods, fostering cross-cultural understanding and empathy among students. Discover innovative teaching strategies for bringing these ancient tales to life, from multimedia presentations to interactive storytelling activities. Gain practical tips for integrating critical analysis, creative expression, and multimedia resources into your curriculum to enhance student engagement and foster deeper connections with the material. Whether you're a seasoned mythology enthusiast or new to the world of folklore studies, this session offers valuable insights and resources for creating an immersive and transformative learning experience for high school students.
For the past three years, I have worked to identify the similarities among school culture and student engagement. Through a very detailed literature analysis, I will share what classroom teachers and school administrators can do in their schools to improve the school culture, while heightening student engagement in the process.
Participants will examine the recent shifts in immigration patterns that have brought an influx of newcomers to our state and explore the socio-cultural, linguistic, and academic needs of their newcomers. Reflecting on the unique needs of their local community, participants will be guided in applying research-based and pragmatic systems to meet the needs of their newcomers with aligned and measurable success indicators, to complement their existing ESL/Bilingual/Dual program. Successfully meeting the needs of newcomers during their first months in US schools helps to lay the foundation for successful academic achievement, linguistic growth, and a healthy cultural identity.
This session provides a step-by-step approach to successfully implement any change that you would like to occur in your educational setting. Leading Educational Change is designed for anyone who is interested in successfully implementing change throughout their school or organization. Whether you are turning your organization around or just making a good setting better, you will leave with specific strategies you can immediately implement. Additionally you will understand how to successfully bring about any changes in people or programs in the future. Included will be information on where to start the change process, ways to make sure it will be supported by all, and how to diminish the influence of the resistors. Whether it is a change you hope to make or a new mandate you have to implement you will learn how to bring everyone in your organization on board.
This Professional Learning course will ignite your classroom with the power of student collaboration. Dive into strategies that transform your classroom into a hub of student-led learning using cutting-edge, research-based methods. Discover the magic of collaborative learning, with engaging activities that foster a cooperative spirit and teach students to communicate effectively. This interactive session will arm you with practical, ready-to-use tools to bring back to your classroom. Aligned with the Danielson Framework, this course will empower you to inspire your students to take charge of their own learning journey. Get ready to revolutionize your teaching and see your students thrive like never before!
Join this session to explore the ways that Grant Community High School District 124 supports staff SEL. During the session we will dive into the importance and impact of holding space for educators to process the often emotional realities of working and growing in this profession. This content applies to educators at any stage of their career, from first year to retirement, in any role in the school. Our instructional coaches’ will share their approach to ongoing PD for staff using a variety of curated resources from experts like Elena Aguilar, Tina Boogren, and Jennifer Abrams. Attendees will leave with examples of activities and discussions, as well as a frame for designing your own version tailored to your school’s adult SEL needs.
When teachers are supported, students flourish. Our proposal prioritizes the well-being of educators, recognizing their pivotal role in shaping young minds. By providing comprehensive support programs, including physical and mental health resources, we ensure teachers are equipped to create nurturing learning environments. Continuous professional development opportunities empower educators to refine their skills and stay abreast of best practices. Competitive compensation and supportive work environments bolster teacher retention, fostering stability within schools. Involving teachers in decision-making processes cultivates a culture of collaboration and innovation. When teachers feel valued and supported, they are better positioned to inspire, guide, and nurture the growth of their students. Thus, investing in teachers is not only an investment in their well-being but also in the holistic success and flourishing of every student they serve.
Join me in a workshop where we delve into the powerful connection between teacher well-being and student success. Our theme, "If You Take Care of the Teachers, They Will Take Care of the Students," highlights the pivotal role educators play in shaping student outcomes. Through interactive sessions and expert insights, discover practical strategies for supporting teacher growth and empowerment. Gain valuable tools to foster a positive learning environment where both teachers and students thrive. Don't miss this opportunity to make a real impact in education. Register now to secure your spot!
Michael Earnshaw, South Cook IL. 2023 Elementary Principal of the Year, has hands-on experience with creating a positive, collaborative, & trusting school culture. During this session, attendees will discover the importance of reflecting on their own lives which have driven them to become educators. Through honest & personal storytelling, Michael will engage attendees & share simple, practical, yet powerful techniques to improve school culture. Attendees will leave armed with activities that can be implemented tomorrow! Michael’s activities focus on empowering our students to know their voices need to be heard & that they have the power to change our world for the better. Michael shares how leading with a Punk Rock Mindset, Passion, Unity, & DIY (Do it Yourself) ethos will drive both staff & students to reach their full potential. Attendees will leave equipped to implement collaborative, engaging, & deep learning activities such as Speed Dating, Struggle Island, & Flippin' Flapjacks.
Principal, Oak Glen Elementary School - Lansing SD 158
Michael Earnshaw is a father, husband, and elementary school principal. He is the author of The EduCulture Cookbook: Recipes and Dishes to Positively Transform School and Classroom Culture with EduMatch Publishing and co-host of the Punk Rock Classrooms Podcast. Michael strives to... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Ballroom A-B
The expression of kindness, patience, and empathy by teachers can profoundly impact student outcomes and overall classroom dynamics and combat the myriad of challenges present in our schools. This session will provide educators with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to harness the power of kindness, patience, and empathy in their teaching practices. Supported by MTSS data, the presenters will detail the positive impact these strategies have on student growth.
By the end of this session, participants will understand the framework that supports the positive impact of kindness, patience, and empathy on student engagement, motivation, and academic performance. Participants will discover effective communication techniques, including active listening, so that they approach disciplinary issues and challenging conversations in a way that prioritizes kindness, patience, and empathy in school culture.
Throughout the session, participants will engage in practical activities, group discussions, and self-reflective exercises that promote an experiential learning approach. They will leave with a toolkit that empowers them to integrate kindness, patience, and empathy into their teaching practices in an effort to drive school improvement.
This session is designed for educators at all levels, as well as educational administrators and support staff. This inspiring and transformative session will equip educators with the tools and knowledge needed to cultivate a kinder, more patient, and empathetic educational experience that benefits students and educators alike. Kindness, patience, and empathy are essential pillars of an effective culture that drives educational improvement.
This presentation will review how education and our society has moved from a “we” ideology to a “me” focus. From tracing the words, we use, actions of schools, and historical antidotes the audience will gain a sense of how far from community we have come. By using my journey as a first-year principal in the COVID era and being candid about grief, depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome, humor, love, embracing the chaos, contact tracing, trauma, building student self-esteem, and the triumph of students, the audience will learn how to build a school based “we” that fosters finding peace within themselves and how that builds a better school and fosters community. The audience will leave with the understanding that they too can foster their own “we” by looking deep into their “me”. If someone in the audience has considered their “why” from a perspective of anxiety, stress, or even contemplated leaving the field, but retains the resolve to remain in education – this presentation will provide them with the insight and tools to sustain their energy and mental health to do the work, and to share what they have learned with others. So that our “we” can support and retain “me”.
In this engaging session, we will build basic knowledge of The Illinois Social Emotional Learning Standards. After delving into the standards, we will explore our go-to picture books, both old and brand new, that we can leverage to teach and lean into SEL topics and standards.
Differentiation is a method of approaching teaching and learning that takes into account how students learn and their level of preparedness before the lesson. In this session, participants will learn how to plan for differentiation by making adjustments to the content, process, product, and learning environment based on students' readiness, interests, and learning profile. Additionally, resources for implementing differentiation will be provided.
Fluency is one of the 5 crucial pillars of literacy as identified by the national reading panel. It can be a crucial missing piece for a student once they have transitioned from learning to read and are on their way to reading to learn. In this session, participants will participate in fluency activities and leave with many tools for their tool belt to address fluency in their classrooms and schools.
Join us for an enlightening session where we share our journey from traditional to standards-based grading practices. In this session, we'll address the question: How can educators effectively shift their grading practices to align with standards and promote student success?
By implementing standards-based grading, educators can provide more accurate and meaningful feedback to students, fostering a deeper understanding of content and promoting academic growth. In turn this provides student ownership and engagement in learning.
Our session will explore practical strategies for unpacking standards, collecting data, and implementing proficiency-based grading. Drawing from research, theory, and best practices in education, we'll ground our discussion in evidence-based approaches that have shown to increase both educator and student success.
Participants can expect to gain an understanding of standards-based grading principles and leave with actionable steps to implement in their own classrooms. Together, we'll chart a course towards a more equitable, standards-aligned approach to assessment, ultimately enhancing student learning outcomes.
Come learn how to transform your grading practices and unlock new possibilities for student achievement!
Assistant Superintendent, Belvidere Community Unit School District #100
I am a mother of two, a wife, daughter, sister, friend, and life long learner. I love to hang out with friends and my family. I enjoy exercising and traveling. I love watching sports and am always a fan of an "underdog" story. I choose to be an educator because I love working with... Read More →
This session will guide you through the exciting world of Pathway Endorsement Programs. Learn how to implement a program that validates student achievement, prepares them for college and career success, and connects them with industry partners.
Key Takeaways: Demystifying the Framework: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Pathway Endorsement Program requirements, including a brief overview of Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs), career-focused Instruction, work-based learning experiences, and academic readiness.
Regional Support Systems: Learn more about how one region is providing supports for pathway implementation through resources like Xello and unique events such as the Pathway Playground, team based challegnge days, and indutry signing events.
Industry Partnerships: Learn how to forge valuable connections with local businesses to provide real-world experiences for your students.
Sharing the Journey: A school district will share their firsthand experience implementing a Pathway Endorsement Program, offering insights and best practices.
Is your MTSS process serving multilingual learners to the best outcomes? Do you wonder if universal screeners and associated process are over-identifying multilingual learners for Tier 2 and 3 interventions? Or is under-identification your greater concern? Are the applied interventions successful or failing? Are you struggling to get to the just the right balance for your multilingual learners; one that mimics the balance in your never-EL population? Learn about key concepts that must be considered when setting up or tweaking an MTSS process to avoid both over- and underrepresentation, key variables that impact multilingual learners’ progress, key questions that must be asked and answered when interpreting multilingual learners’ classroom performance, assessment results, and progress monitoring data, and key considerations that must be applied to interventions at any tier to hit that just right Goldilocks point for the MTSS process for multilingual learners at your district or school.
In a world of sound bytes, memes, and instant information, how do we help students ethically navigate it all to connect, rather than divide, our society? Dive into how the transformative power of digital literacy and AI, often perceived as nothing more than a cold, mechanical form of cheating, can actually foster our students’ most human traits—empathy, critical thinking, and community building. Gain an understanding of the ISTE standards for both educators and students and how they can support both academic and social-emotional growth. Explore how to use a variety of digital platforms, apps, and assistive technology to revolutionize and energize your teaching and engage students in innovative ways. Learn how to embed inclusive literature, digital resources, and student-centered strategies within a digital literacy framework that facilitates authentic learning opportunities for students across all grade levels and content areas to produce, communicate, interpret, and socialize fluidly and critically between the digital and print worlds. Whether you're a tech-savvy teacher or new to the world of embedding digital instruction, this session offers valuable insights and resources for creating an immersive and transformative learning experience for your students.
