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Upcoming Workshops
2025-2026
Click on the title of workshop to register.
January 2026
1-12-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
1-13-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9am-12pm)
Administrator Workshop: Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Kindergarten: Bridging Standards, Instruction, and the Danielson Framework
This presentation will provide administrators with a clear understanding of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) in a kindergarten classroom and how these practices align with state standards and the Danielson Framework for Teaching. Participants will explore what high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction looks like in early childhood settings.
1-14-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9am-3pm)
Boundaries, Balance and Better Habits: Practical Tools for Educators
This interactive workshop brings together practical strategies for time management, habit building, and stress prevention so educators can thrive all year long. Participants will learn how to set boundaries that protect energy, design habits that support their goals, and practice simple, research-based tools to stay grounded. You’ll leave with a clear plan tailored to your needs—helping you use your time wisely, build momentum, and keep your sanity intact.
1-15-26 & 1-16-26 @ Virtual
Say “Hi” to AI Conference
The Learning Technology Center (LTC), in partnership with IARSS, is launching Hi, AI!, a two-day virtual conference designed for K–12 teachers, administrators, technology leaders, and library media specialists. Hi, AI! brings together experts, practitioners, and innovators to explore what AI really means for teaching, learning, and school operations. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already experimenting, sessions are designed to be practical, relevant, and immediately useful.
Conference topics include:
How AI is transforming instruction, assessment, and student support
Strategies to personalize learning and streamline administrative tasks
Approaches to policy development, safe and ethical use, and district readiness
Real examples from schools already putting AI to work
Tools, templates, and frameworks districts can implement immediately
A virtual vendor hall with K–12 tools and resources
1-26-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
1-29-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9am-12pm)
AA# 4025: AI in Action - A Leader's Guide to Implementation
Have you considered the role AI could play in shaping the future of education at your school? This Administrator Academy (4025) aims to equip school leaders with the essential knowledge and practical tools to implement AI technologies effectively.
Explore real-world examples of how schools are currently using AI to enhance educational outcomes and streamline operations. Learn to strategically integrate AI solutions, address ethical and privacy concerns, and nurture a culture that embraces technological advancements.
February 2026
2-2-26 and 2-3-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office
AA4050 Illinois Performance Evaluation: Evaluator Initial Training & Retraining for Principals and Assistant Principals
This is a 2 day academy. This is required for all new principal evaluators (superintendents or principals evaluating principals or asst. principals). This is also required for retraining.
Description: Beginning July 1, 2024, this is the ISBE-required two-day course for those those wishing to be able to evaluate Principals and Assistant Principals, AND the required refresher course for those that already have the credential. It will cover all aspects of evaluation for Principals and Assistant Principals, including professional practice and student growth data.
Please Note: There is a pre-work requirement for all participants of 2-3 hours that must be completed prior to admittance to the two-day face-to-face training. The required Application/Dissemination piece will be completed at the end of day 2 for academy credit.
2-2-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
2-5-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9:00-3:00pm)
Purposeful Play in Kindergarten: Building Intentional Learning Through Joy and Play
This full-day professional development workshop can help educators reimagine what meaningful learning looks like in a kindergarten classroom. Participants will explore how purposeful play can meet academic standards, strengthen engagement, and foster growth across all developmental domains. Through hands-on activities, classroom examples, and current research, teachers will learn how to integrate play into daily routines, manage play centers effectively, and assess learning authentically through observation and documentation.
2-9-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
2-10-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9:00-3:00pm)
Working with Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorders
This workshop investigates why there is an increasing population of student with ODD and how it is a problem with emotional regulation and is often co-morbid with other conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. The session focuses on why these children present so many challenges to school personnel. It captures a thorough look at what is happening with the children and why they are behaving the way they are and why adults fall into reactive discipline methods that do not work. Oppositional defiant behaviors result from difficulties in emotional regulation so part of the workshop will focus on what we can do to help our students regulate. The majority of the workshop focuses on positive strategies that adults can utilized to engage successfully with students.
2-11-26 Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
3 Steps to Breakthrough the Burnout Cycle for K-12 Educator Moms (Virtual)
Teaching is demanding. Motherhood is demanding. Doing both at once? It can sometimes feel impossible. Join veteran teacher and mom of 4, Erin Shook, in a workshop designed just for educator moms who are ready to break free from burnout and find more balance. Walk away with practical tools and a renewed sense of balance, confidence, and acceptance at school and at home.
2-16-26-3-22-26 Virtual (Self Paced)
Hero For the Hungry Virtual Book Club
Click HERE to register by January 21st
$15 cost includes the book to be mailed to registered teachers (hand delivered to Macoupin County teachers)
Hosted by U of I Extension, Presented by Connie Niemann, Macoupin County Agriculture Literacy Program
For more information about the book club, contact Connie Niemann at [email protected] or call (217) 854-9604.
Educators will read the book Hero for the Hungry: The Life & Work of Norman Borlaug while connecting with fellow educators in an online discussion where participants will be asked to complete the assigned reading, write a response to some questions in Google Classroom, and respond to at least two posts from other participants. More info HERE!
2-19-2026 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9-3:00pm)
Best Practices for Student-Led Classrooms
This workshop reimagines the classroom as a student-led environment where ownership of learning drives engagement and achievement. Anchored in the research of Visible Learning’s High-Impact Learning Strategies and aligned with High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS), this session focuses on shifting instructional design toward student agency while remaining anchored in a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum.
Participants will engage with:
2-24-26 @ Jersey ROE office (12:30-3:00pm)
ELA in the Age of AI: Fostering Authentic Skills in a Digital World
Artificial Intelligence is changing the landscape of education. As ELA teachers, how can we navigate the challenges of AI and leverage its potential to enhance student learning? This session will equip you with practical strategies to create "AI-resistant" lessons that foster critical thinking, creativity, and authentic student voice. We will explore how to design assignments that AI can't replicate, and how to use AI as a powerful tool for brainstorming, revision, and personalized feedback. Join us to learn how to empower your students to thrive in the age of AI.
2-25-25 @ FREE Virtual via Zoom (3:30-4:30pm)
Naval Engineering: Connecting Math, History, & Technology (Grades 4-10)
Presented by Kelly Remijan (Director-at-Large for the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics) and Pat Young (PD Specialist with the Illinois Math & Science Academy). In honor of National Engineers Week & Black History Month, attendees will learn what about Naval Engineer Raye Montague before discovering how to design a ship using virtual tools such as Pattern Blocks and TinkerCad, a free online drafting program. Participants will be provided with resources and lesson ideas as well as time to explore TinkerCad to create their own vessel.
Rescheduled from October!
2-26-26 @ Jersey ROE office (9:00 - 3:30 p.m.)
The Many C’s of PLC: Collaborative Conversations for Better Results
The Many C’s of PLC is a fun, interactive workshop you will love as you discover simple tools and perspectives to support successful collaborative conversations in a professional learning community. Becoming a high functioning, collaborative team is not easy. Building trusting relationships grounded in an openness to the thinking of others and working successfully with our colleagues is an imperfect, complex process. Transforming meetings and data conversations from boring obligations to engaging opportunities to make a difference is daunting. AND YET, together, we can overcome these challenges to make an even greater difference in the lives of our students.
March 2026
3-2-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
3-5-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (12:30-3:00 pm)
Whole Brain Teacher 101
This introductory training explores Whole Brain Teaching, a highly engaging instructional approach that activates multiple areas of the brain to maximize learning. Participants will learn the core principles, techniques, and classroom management strategies that make Whole Brain Teaching effective, from using call-and-response to building routines that boost attention and retention. Educators will leave with a toolkit of simple, practical methods to increase student participation, reduce disruptions, and create a lively, student-centered classroom.
3-17-26 @ Alton, IL & St. Louis, MO
From Roots to Rivers: Connecting Land, Water, & Life
FREE PD for any educator in the ROE40 region!
Starts at the Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Continues at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center in Alton, and Ends at the Melvin Price Locks & Dam in Alton (Educators will provide their own transportation.)
Hosted by U of I Extension, Presented by Connie Niemann, Macoupin County Agriculture Literacy Program ([email protected])
Educators will build first-hand knowledge and investigate career opportunities in agriculture and receive engaging, classroom-ready, resources all correlated to the Illinois Learning Standards while earning 4 professional development hours. Sites will include: Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center in Alton, and the Melvin Price Locks & Dam/National Great Rivers in Alton. Note: Participants will travel to workshop sites in St. Louis & Alton on their own. Lunch will be on your own. Click here for a flyer!
3-19-26 @ Carlinville ROE office (12-3:00pm)
Renewed Purpose, Real Impact: Everyday Actions That Shape Student Success
Join us for a professional learning experience designed to re-ignite purpose, strengthen classroom impact, and equip teachers with practical, confidence-building strategies. Through powerful reflection and collaboration activities, identity-driven leadership principles, and the “Impact Tic-Tac-Toe” action framework, educators will walk away renewed, and empowered with simple, daily ways to influence student success. These sessions blend storytelling, and hands-on application—perfect for educators who want to make a meaningful difference without adding more to their plates
3-23-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
3-26-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9:00-3:30 pm)
Artificial Intelligence 101: Practical Classroom Integration for Educators
This introductory professional development session offers educators a clear understanding of Artificial Intelligence—what it is, what it is not, and how it can be effectively leveraged in education. Participants will explore best practices for integrating AI into daily instruction to increase efficiency, enhance creativity, and improve student engagement. The training highlights seven essential prompts to guide AI use and focuses on classroom applications using ChatGPT and Gemini. Educators will also examine AI tools, detection techniques, prevention methods, and AI-resistant strategies to promote ethical and balanced use.
3-30-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
April 2026
4-10-26 @ St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108 (12-3:00pm)
Seeing Ourselves in the Present: Teaching SEL Through Contemporary Art
This professional learning session invites educators to explore how contemporary art can serve as a powerful entry point for both academic inquiry and social-emotional learning. During the first two hours, participants will be guided through the current CAM exhibition featuring the work of Claude Calhoun and Andrea Carlson, modeling strategies for integrating contemporary art into instruction and facilitating thoughtful, student-centered discussions. In the final hour, the focus will shift to practical SEL strategies grounded in art history, helping educators use contemporary artworks to foster reflection, identity exploration, empathy, and meaningful dialogue in the classroom. Held at the St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum - transportation NOT provided.
4-20-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
May 2026
5-11-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
August 2026
8-4-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9-330pm)
Administrator Academy 1801: Gathering Evidence During Observations and Conferencing Using the Danielson Model.
This course will allow participants to learn effective skills and strategies for using Charlotte Danielson's Frameworks in a summative setting in order to more effectively: 1. Identify evidence at the component/element level during formal and informal observations; 2. Use evidence to effectively rate staff on the levels of performance for each domain; 3. Acquire strategies to support effective collaborative conferencing around formal and informal observations; and 4. learn techniques, strategies and protocols to use when conferencing with staff.
September 2026
9-10-26 @ TBD (9-12p.m.)
The 7 Commitments That Great Teams Must Make to Build Trust, Foster Connection, Overcome Adversity, and Achieve Extraordinary Success
Based on the Jon Gordon's 7 Commitments of a Great Team, this interactive admin academy will uncover the secret to building unshakable trust, uncover strategies to hold your team accountable, the skills to turn challenges and change into growth, and experience a mindset shift that leads to long-term success. Led by Jon Gordon certified trainer Dr. Kelly Stewart, the day is guaranteed to be both rich in learning and highly entertaining.
1-12-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
1-13-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9am-12pm)
Administrator Workshop: Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Kindergarten: Bridging Standards, Instruction, and the Danielson Framework
This presentation will provide administrators with a clear understanding of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) in a kindergarten classroom and how these practices align with state standards and the Danielson Framework for Teaching. Participants will explore what high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction looks like in early childhood settings.
1-14-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9am-3pm)
Boundaries, Balance and Better Habits: Practical Tools for Educators
This interactive workshop brings together practical strategies for time management, habit building, and stress prevention so educators can thrive all year long. Participants will learn how to set boundaries that protect energy, design habits that support their goals, and practice simple, research-based tools to stay grounded. You’ll leave with a clear plan tailored to your needs—helping you use your time wisely, build momentum, and keep your sanity intact.
1-15-26 & 1-16-26 @ Virtual
Say “Hi” to AI Conference
The Learning Technology Center (LTC), in partnership with IARSS, is launching Hi, AI!, a two-day virtual conference designed for K–12 teachers, administrators, technology leaders, and library media specialists. Hi, AI! brings together experts, practitioners, and innovators to explore what AI really means for teaching, learning, and school operations. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already experimenting, sessions are designed to be practical, relevant, and immediately useful.
Conference topics include:
How AI is transforming instruction, assessment, and student support
Strategies to personalize learning and streamline administrative tasks
Approaches to policy development, safe and ethical use, and district readiness
Real examples from schools already putting AI to work
Tools, templates, and frameworks districts can implement immediately
A virtual vendor hall with K–12 tools and resources
1-26-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
1-29-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9am-12pm)
AA# 4025: AI in Action - A Leader's Guide to Implementation
Have you considered the role AI could play in shaping the future of education at your school? This Administrator Academy (4025) aims to equip school leaders with the essential knowledge and practical tools to implement AI technologies effectively.
Explore real-world examples of how schools are currently using AI to enhance educational outcomes and streamline operations. Learn to strategically integrate AI solutions, address ethical and privacy concerns, and nurture a culture that embraces technological advancements.
February 2026
2-2-26 and 2-3-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office
AA4050 Illinois Performance Evaluation: Evaluator Initial Training & Retraining for Principals and Assistant Principals
This is a 2 day academy. This is required for all new principal evaluators (superintendents or principals evaluating principals or asst. principals). This is also required for retraining.
Description: Beginning July 1, 2024, this is the ISBE-required two-day course for those those wishing to be able to evaluate Principals and Assistant Principals, AND the required refresher course for those that already have the credential. It will cover all aspects of evaluation for Principals and Assistant Principals, including professional practice and student growth data.
Please Note: There is a pre-work requirement for all participants of 2-3 hours that must be completed prior to admittance to the two-day face-to-face training. The required Application/Dissemination piece will be completed at the end of day 2 for academy credit.
2-2-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
2-5-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9:00-3:00pm)
Purposeful Play in Kindergarten: Building Intentional Learning Through Joy and Play
This full-day professional development workshop can help educators reimagine what meaningful learning looks like in a kindergarten classroom. Participants will explore how purposeful play can meet academic standards, strengthen engagement, and foster growth across all developmental domains. Through hands-on activities, classroom examples, and current research, teachers will learn how to integrate play into daily routines, manage play centers effectively, and assess learning authentically through observation and documentation.
2-9-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
2-10-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9:00-3:00pm)
Working with Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorders
This workshop investigates why there is an increasing population of student with ODD and how it is a problem with emotional regulation and is often co-morbid with other conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. The session focuses on why these children present so many challenges to school personnel. It captures a thorough look at what is happening with the children and why they are behaving the way they are and why adults fall into reactive discipline methods that do not work. Oppositional defiant behaviors result from difficulties in emotional regulation so part of the workshop will focus on what we can do to help our students regulate. The majority of the workshop focuses on positive strategies that adults can utilized to engage successfully with students.
2-11-26 Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
3 Steps to Breakthrough the Burnout Cycle for K-12 Educator Moms (Virtual)
Teaching is demanding. Motherhood is demanding. Doing both at once? It can sometimes feel impossible. Join veteran teacher and mom of 4, Erin Shook, in a workshop designed just for educator moms who are ready to break free from burnout and find more balance. Walk away with practical tools and a renewed sense of balance, confidence, and acceptance at school and at home.
2-16-26-3-22-26 Virtual (Self Paced)
Hero For the Hungry Virtual Book Club
Click HERE to register by January 21st
$15 cost includes the book to be mailed to registered teachers (hand delivered to Macoupin County teachers)
Hosted by U of I Extension, Presented by Connie Niemann, Macoupin County Agriculture Literacy Program
For more information about the book club, contact Connie Niemann at [email protected] or call (217) 854-9604.
Educators will read the book Hero for the Hungry: The Life & Work of Norman Borlaug while connecting with fellow educators in an online discussion where participants will be asked to complete the assigned reading, write a response to some questions in Google Classroom, and respond to at least two posts from other participants. More info HERE!
2-19-2026 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9-3:00pm)
Best Practices for Student-Led Classrooms
This workshop reimagines the classroom as a student-led environment where ownership of learning drives engagement and achievement. Anchored in the research of Visible Learning’s High-Impact Learning Strategies and aligned with High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS), this session focuses on shifting instructional design toward student agency while remaining anchored in a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum.
Participants will engage with:
- The Why: Research on student ownership, motivation, and how brain-based learning supports lasting understanding.
- The How: Practical strategies such as structured discussions, inquiry cycles, peer feedback, and collaborative problem-solving that place students at the center of instruction.
- The Anchor: Ensuring every student-led activity connects back to essential standards, learning intentions, and success criteria within the GVC framework.
- Scaffolding Student Leadership: Designing lessons that gradually release responsibility and support diverse learners.
- AI as a Partner: Using AI to co-design student-led tasks, generate differentiated resources, and provide feedback loops that empower both teachers and learners.
2-24-26 @ Jersey ROE office (12:30-3:00pm)
ELA in the Age of AI: Fostering Authentic Skills in a Digital World
Artificial Intelligence is changing the landscape of education. As ELA teachers, how can we navigate the challenges of AI and leverage its potential to enhance student learning? This session will equip you with practical strategies to create "AI-resistant" lessons that foster critical thinking, creativity, and authentic student voice. We will explore how to design assignments that AI can't replicate, and how to use AI as a powerful tool for brainstorming, revision, and personalized feedback. Join us to learn how to empower your students to thrive in the age of AI.
2-25-25 @ FREE Virtual via Zoom (3:30-4:30pm)
Naval Engineering: Connecting Math, History, & Technology (Grades 4-10)
Presented by Kelly Remijan (Director-at-Large for the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics) and Pat Young (PD Specialist with the Illinois Math & Science Academy). In honor of National Engineers Week & Black History Month, attendees will learn what about Naval Engineer Raye Montague before discovering how to design a ship using virtual tools such as Pattern Blocks and TinkerCad, a free online drafting program. Participants will be provided with resources and lesson ideas as well as time to explore TinkerCad to create their own vessel.
Rescheduled from October!
2-26-26 @ Jersey ROE office (9:00 - 3:30 p.m.)
The Many C’s of PLC: Collaborative Conversations for Better Results
The Many C’s of PLC is a fun, interactive workshop you will love as you discover simple tools and perspectives to support successful collaborative conversations in a professional learning community. Becoming a high functioning, collaborative team is not easy. Building trusting relationships grounded in an openness to the thinking of others and working successfully with our colleagues is an imperfect, complex process. Transforming meetings and data conversations from boring obligations to engaging opportunities to make a difference is daunting. AND YET, together, we can overcome these challenges to make an even greater difference in the lives of our students.
March 2026
3-2-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
3-5-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (12:30-3:00 pm)
Whole Brain Teacher 101
This introductory training explores Whole Brain Teaching, a highly engaging instructional approach that activates multiple areas of the brain to maximize learning. Participants will learn the core principles, techniques, and classroom management strategies that make Whole Brain Teaching effective, from using call-and-response to building routines that boost attention and retention. Educators will leave with a toolkit of simple, practical methods to increase student participation, reduce disruptions, and create a lively, student-centered classroom.
3-17-26 @ Alton, IL & St. Louis, MO
From Roots to Rivers: Connecting Land, Water, & Life
FREE PD for any educator in the ROE40 region!
Starts at the Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Continues at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center in Alton, and Ends at the Melvin Price Locks & Dam in Alton (Educators will provide their own transportation.)
Hosted by U of I Extension, Presented by Connie Niemann, Macoupin County Agriculture Literacy Program ([email protected])
Educators will build first-hand knowledge and investigate career opportunities in agriculture and receive engaging, classroom-ready, resources all correlated to the Illinois Learning Standards while earning 4 professional development hours. Sites will include: Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center in Alton, and the Melvin Price Locks & Dam/National Great Rivers in Alton. Note: Participants will travel to workshop sites in St. Louis & Alton on their own. Lunch will be on your own. Click here for a flyer!
3-19-26 @ Carlinville ROE office (12-3:00pm)
Renewed Purpose, Real Impact: Everyday Actions That Shape Student Success
Join us for a professional learning experience designed to re-ignite purpose, strengthen classroom impact, and equip teachers with practical, confidence-building strategies. Through powerful reflection and collaboration activities, identity-driven leadership principles, and the “Impact Tic-Tac-Toe” action framework, educators will walk away renewed, and empowered with simple, daily ways to influence student success. These sessions blend storytelling, and hands-on application—perfect for educators who want to make a meaningful difference without adding more to their plates
3-23-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
3-26-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9:00-3:30 pm)
Artificial Intelligence 101: Practical Classroom Integration for Educators
This introductory professional development session offers educators a clear understanding of Artificial Intelligence—what it is, what it is not, and how it can be effectively leveraged in education. Participants will explore best practices for integrating AI into daily instruction to increase efficiency, enhance creativity, and improve student engagement. The training highlights seven essential prompts to guide AI use and focuses on classroom applications using ChatGPT and Gemini. Educators will also examine AI tools, detection techniques, prevention methods, and AI-resistant strategies to promote ethical and balanced use.
3-30-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
April 2026
4-10-26 @ St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108 (12-3:00pm)
Seeing Ourselves in the Present: Teaching SEL Through Contemporary Art
This professional learning session invites educators to explore how contemporary art can serve as a powerful entry point for both academic inquiry and social-emotional learning. During the first two hours, participants will be guided through the current CAM exhibition featuring the work of Claude Calhoun and Andrea Carlson, modeling strategies for integrating contemporary art into instruction and facilitating thoughtful, student-centered discussions. In the final hour, the focus will shift to practical SEL strategies grounded in art history, helping educators use contemporary artworks to foster reflection, identity exploration, empathy, and meaningful dialogue in the classroom. Held at the St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum - transportation NOT provided.
4-20-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
May 2026
5-11-26 @ Virtual (3:30-4:30pm)
Mindful Monday
Join ROE #40 for Mindful Mondays where we will learn, explore, discuss, challenge boundaries, and move with intention. Come prepared to write a little bit, join in online discussions, learn what it means to be human, and participate in self-care strategies including breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Registered Yoga Teacher and ROE 40 Mindfulness/SEL Coach Matt Weld will lead these one-hour virtual sessions brought to FREE you by the ISBE SEL Hub grant. Participants will receive an hour of PD for each session they attend. Each session will be different so feel free to attend as many as you'd like.
August 2026
8-4-26 @ Jerseyville ROE office (9-330pm)
Administrator Academy 1801: Gathering Evidence During Observations and Conferencing Using the Danielson Model.
This course will allow participants to learn effective skills and strategies for using Charlotte Danielson's Frameworks in a summative setting in order to more effectively: 1. Identify evidence at the component/element level during formal and informal observations; 2. Use evidence to effectively rate staff on the levels of performance for each domain; 3. Acquire strategies to support effective collaborative conferencing around formal and informal observations; and 4. learn techniques, strategies and protocols to use when conferencing with staff.
September 2026
9-10-26 @ TBD (9-12p.m.)
The 7 Commitments That Great Teams Must Make to Build Trust, Foster Connection, Overcome Adversity, and Achieve Extraordinary Success
Based on the Jon Gordon's 7 Commitments of a Great Team, this interactive admin academy will uncover the secret to building unshakable trust, uncover strategies to hold your team accountable, the skills to turn challenges and change into growth, and experience a mindset shift that leads to long-term success. Led by Jon Gordon certified trainer Dr. Kelly Stewart, the day is guaranteed to be both rich in learning and highly entertaining.
TeachIllinois is a 100% online, center for educator professional development. Educators can either self-register, or districts can bulk register their staffs. Upon completion of the material, learners will complete the ISBE Seminar Evaluation Form, after which, the official ISBE Evidence of Completion form will be made available. Many of the e-learning courses are currently free. New content is added every month, and we welcome suggestions for future courses. Our e-learning platform is robust enough that a PD provider (such as a District) could subscribe and create their own ‘channel’.
For questions, please contact Matt Weld, Director of Learning Technology for Area 5: [email protected]
FREE - Online Book Studies 100% Asynchronous 2024-25
For questions, please contact Matt Weld, Director of Learning Technology for Area 5: [email protected]
FREE - Online Book Studies 100% Asynchronous 2024-25
