Discover the transformative power of student leadership at West Oak Middle School! Join us for an enlightening presentation on how our Student Ambassadors program is revolutionizing student engagement and empowerment. Through a focus on promoting voice, choice, and agency, our ambassadors are shaping a school culture where every student feels heard, valued, and empowered to make a difference. This presentation will delve into the innovative strategies and impactful initiatives spearheaded by our student leaders, offering valuable insights for educators, administrators, and parents looking to cultivate leadership skills and foster inclusivity in their own communities. Be inspired by the stories of our student ambassadors and learn practical strategies for nurturing leadership qualities in young learners. Whether you're a seasoned educator seeking fresh ideas or a parent eager to support your child's leadership journey, this presentation promises to ignite your passion for student-driven change. Join us in celebrating the incredible achievements of our student leaders and discover how you can empower the next generation of change-makers!
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Division of Education provides Illinois-specific materials and programs to the teachers in the state. On a tour using our website, we will explore ways to enhance the science curriculum with grants, lessons, professional development, publications, items for loans, and videos and podcasts. 1) Explore three different grants for teachers, Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant, the Historic Sites Field Trip Grant, and the Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant. 2) Discover lessons using the Illinois Learning Standards Search Page for the IDNR lessons. 3) Learn about Professional Development Workshops through the ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program which are held throughout the state and provide Professional Development Hours. The IDNR is an approved Professional Development Provider. 4) Explore publications and many supplemental resources available at no cost to teachers. 5) Check out resource trunks and packs through a loan program that are stationed throughout the state. 6) Video- and audio podcasts are available on a variety of topics from “Wildlife in the Classroom” to “Biodiversity of Illinois” searchable page allows students and teachers to quickly find information about species in our state. Join our list server to stay connected to new ones for keeping updated with the IDNR Division of Education. We what the IDNR has to offer teachers.
Explore Coyote Track interactive visualization tool. This online site centers around coyote ecology and behavior related to data collected from radio-collared coyotes in urban and rural areas of Illinois. Using real data, this workshop will guide participants through the visualization data tool and standard-based lessons that support the unit. Participants will learn about how and why scientists are studying coyotes in Illinois including learning about telemetry and how the information is gathered. The workshop is geared toward teachers of Illinois high school and middle school students. Upper elementary teachers are also welcome as the information can be used with younger students.
Social Emotional Learning has become a core focus in education due to the growing challenges and demands faced in the classroom. In this session, participants will walk away with tips, tools, and strategies to use in their classrooms that focus on cultivating a supportive classroom environment, integrating SEL into academic instruction, and teaching explicit SEL instruction. We will discuss and model how to use SEL topics such as growth mindset, mindfulness, student book clubs, and restorative practices to build a classroom culture while integrating specific SEL instruction. Participants will walk away with tools, strategies, and ideas that can be taken back to their classrooms and implemented immediately.
Learn how our school district has provided summer learning opportunities for students and see how the program has continued to grow each year. Our school district offers summer enrichment classes for one week at the beginning of June. Approximately 150 students participate in this learning opportunity. We also offer one day trips for students. These trips are offered throughout the summer and provide opportunities for our students to experience several local and not so local attractions.
