2026 Annual (11th) Directions Conference: One day. New ideas. Meaningful connections.
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REGISTER TODAY ~ September 25, 2026
ROE #40 is excited to bring educators, support staff, and school leaders together for the 11th Annual Directions Conference—a day designed for everyone who plays a role in helping students and schools thrive!
Whether you work in the classroom, support students behind the scenes, lead a team, or serve your school community in another important role, Directions has something for you. This year’s conference features an inspiring keynote from Lasada Pippen, along with engaging breakout sessions focused on self-care, effective instruction, and content-specific learning. Choose sessions that matter to you, discover practical ideas you can use right away, and connect with colleagues from across the region.
Come ready to learn, laugh, connect, recharge, and be reminded why the work you do matters.
Questions? Contact Ryan Wamser at [email protected]
ROE #40 | Learning • Leading • Supporting
ROE #40 is excited to bring educators, support staff, and school leaders together for the 11th Annual Directions Conference—a day designed for everyone who plays a role in helping students and schools thrive!
Whether you work in the classroom, support students behind the scenes, lead a team, or serve your school community in another important role, Directions has something for you. This year’s conference features an inspiring keynote from Lasada Pippen, along with engaging breakout sessions focused on self-care, effective instruction, and content-specific learning. Choose sessions that matter to you, discover practical ideas you can use right away, and connect with colleagues from across the region.
Come ready to learn, laugh, connect, recharge, and be reminded why the work you do matters.
Questions? Contact Ryan Wamser at [email protected]
ROE #40 | Learning • Leading • Supporting
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AA4050 Illinois Performance Evaluation: Evaluator Initial Training & Retraining for Principals and Assistant Principals September 1 & 2, 2026 (two days) at the Carlinville ROE (9-3:30 each day) Beginning July 1, 2024, this is the ISBE-required two-day course for those who wish to evaluate Principals and Assistant Principals, AND the required refresher course for those who already hold the credential. It will cover all aspects of evaluation for Principals and Assistant Principals, including professional practice and student growth data. Please note: All participants must complete a 2-3 hour pre-work requirement prior to admission 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. |
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The 3 D’s Simulation: Understanding and Supporting Learners with Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia September 8, 2026 at the Carlinville ROE office (12:00-3:00pm) Join us for an immersive training simulation designed to enhance your understanding of dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, and to equip you with practical strategies to support individuals with these learning differences. This interactive session will provide participants with an opportunity to step into the shoes of those facing these challenges, fostering empathy and deepening insight into the experiences of individuals with specific learning disabilities. In addition to the hands-on simulations, characteristics of dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia will be discussed, and practical strategies and interventions will be shared. |
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The 7 Commitments That Great Teams Must Make to Build Trust, Foster Connection, Overcome Adversity, and Achieve Extraordinary Success September 10, 2026 - Location TBD (9-12pm) Based on Jon Gordon's 7 Commitments of a Great Team, this interactive admin academy will uncover the secret to building unshakable trust, strategies to hold your team accountable, skills to turn challenges and change into growth, and 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. |
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AA#1876: Before the Crisis: An Introduction to Student Safety Assessment and Management September 17, 2026 at Carlinville ROE office (9-3:00pm) Is your school or district looking to implement a clear and actionable school safety & student behavior threat assessment? Using social media, cell phones, or in conversations with peers; students make threats to hurt themselves or others. How these situations are handled is vital to the safety and security of our students and the liability to the district. Too often, administrators are developing a plan to address these situations during the event. Afterwards, questions arise if everything was done correctly, consistently, and documented appropriately. Before the Crisis is a course that will enable participants to assess the severity of a threat, analyze the safety of the students and staff, and collaboratively develop a plan of action to protect and support the students. |
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Beyond Consequences: The Science of Relationships, Expectations, and Student Discipline
September 15, 2026 at Carlinville ROE (9:00-3:00pm) Why do some students respond to correction while others escalate? Why do traditional disciplinary approaches work for some learners but fail others? This engaging and interactive workshop explores student behavior through the lens of neuroscience, relationships, trauma, poverty, and brain development. Participants will begin by examining how stress, adverse experiences, and environmental factors influence student behavior and decision-making through a poverty brain simulation and research-based exploration of the neurology of learning and relationships. From there, the workshop shifts to practical classroom application by examining proactive systems that prevent discipline issues before they arise. Attendees will leave with practical tools for creating classrooms where relationships drive expectations, expectations drive behavior, and discipline becomes an opportunity for growth rather than punishment. |
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AA 3752 Title IX: Responding to Discrimination on the Bases of Sex in K-12 School Systems September 22, 2026 at the Jerseyville ROE (12:30-3:30pm) Presented by the F3 Law, join us for a comprehensive Administrator Academy designed to equip educational leaders with the latest knowledge and strategies for navigating Title IX regulations in K-12 school systems. In light of recent updates, this academy delves into the intricacies of addressing discrimination on the basis of sex, ensuring compliance, and fostering safe and inclusive learning environments for all students. |
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School Finance Workshop with ISBE's Sarah Healy September 24, 2026 at the Jerseyville ROE (9:00 - 3:00p) Join Sarah Healy, Regional Financial Consultant with School Business Services at the Illinois State Board of Education, for a practical workshop on Illinois school finance for superintendents, bookkeepers, business managers, administrative assistants, and other school staff involved in financial operations. The session provides current information, guidance, and strategies to help participants understand and manage school finance requirements. Attendees can enhance their knowledge of financial processes, explore ISBE requirements and resources, ask questions, and discuss real district financial issues. Whether new or experienced, participants will gain valuable insights to improve financial accuracy, efficiency, and confidence. Bring questions and leave better equipped to handle Illinois school finance. |
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Don't Forget to REGISTER! The Directions Conference 2026 September 25, 2026 at The Gateway Center, Collinsville, IL (9:00am-3:00pm) Join us at the 11th Annual Directions Conference! ROE #40 brings educators, support staff, and leaders together for a day focused on helping students and schools thrive. Whether you work in the classroom, support students, lead a team, or serve your community, there's something for you. This year’s event features a keynote by Lasada Pippen and breakout sessions on self-care, instruction, and content learning. Choose sessions, gain practical ideas, and connect with colleagues. Come to learn, laugh, connect, recharge, and remember why your work matters. |
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Advanced Classroom Management with Jim Kestner
September 29, 2026 at the Jerseyville ROE (9-3:00pm) Jim Kestner will present his nationally recognized program in a high-energy session dedicated to helping experienced teachers address a wide range of classroom management issues. Teachers who attend will find strategies that lead students to make good choices, replacing controlling behaviors with strategies that lead students to monitor and take responsibility for their own behavior. |
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Digital Literacy/Safety for Littles and AI for Littles
October 6, 2026 at the Jerseyville ROE (9:00am-3:00pm) By the age of eight, ninety percent of children have used a device to connect to the internet. Though the internet offers a fresh, fun, and fascinating way to connect with the world, it also introduces new risks. Internet safety training must begin at a very young age. Mrs. Grady’s session will explore topics including user account and password protection, digital footprints and oversharing, social media, internet etiquette, and cyberbullying. Using videos, music, children’s books, games, STEM activities, and more, Mrs. Grady will share K–4 classroom lessons and resources to help keep your “littles” safe online. Participants will explore key topics, including the types of artificial intelligence, how AI is currently used in education, popular Apps, and practical strategies for integrating AI into K-4 instruction. Through a variety of engaging resources, such as videos, music, children’s literature, and sample lesson plans, Mrs. Grady will showcase age-appropriate ways to introduce young learners to AI concepts and tools. Whether you’re just curious or ready to dive in, this session will provide meaningful, classroom-ready ideas to bring AI to life for our youngest students. |
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Renewed Purpose, Real Impact: Everyday Actions That Shape Student Success October 15, 2026 at Jerseyville ROE (12:00-3:00pm) 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. |
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Bookkeeper Roundtable Facilitator: Sarah Healy, Regional Financial Consultant, School Bus Services | ISBE October 20, 2026 | 9:00–11:30 AM - ROE #40 – Jerseyville February 18, 2027 | 9:00–11:30 AM - ROE #40 – Carlinville School bookkeepers are vital for maintaining accurate, compliant district financial operations. The ROE #40 Bookkeeper Roundtable offers a space for school business staff to connect, collaborate, and learn. Led by Sarah Healy of the Illinois State Board of Education, this interactive event provides updates, practical guidance, and a chance to discuss common challenges. Instead of a traditional workshop, it fosters conversation, problem-solving, and idea-sharing among regional colleagues. Participants should bring questions and topics, ready to learn from ISBE and each other, build professional connections, and gather useful resources. |
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AI Tools Extravaganza - Harnessing AI Tools to Simplify and Elevate Your Teaching October 22, 2026 at the Jerseyville ROE (9:00am-2:45pm) David Lerch, veteran AI presenter, is back, by popular demand, to share more AI information. Join us for a day designed to equip you with skills to elevate your teaching practices, excite you with possibilities, and simplify your teaching all at the same time. |
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School Anxiety, Avoidance, and Refusal
October 29, 2026 at the Jerseyville ROE #40 (12:30pm – 3:00pm) Presenter: Amy Maus, LCSW School refusal can be challenging for students, families, and the school professionals working to support them. While many students come to school willingly each day, others experience significant anxiety, distress, or resistance that can lead to ongoing attendance struggles and difficult morning battles at home. Join Amy Maus, LCSW, for a practical and engaging workshop designed to help school professionals better understand and respond to students who struggle to attend school. Participants will explore common reasons for school refusal and learn strategies for collaborating with students and families to reduce barriers, improve attendance, and support student well-being. This session will provide practical tools and intervention strategies that school counselors, social workers, nurses, administrators, teachers, and other school professionals can put to use right away. |
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AA# 4176 - Ready, Set, Retire! A Personal and Professional Journey to Leaving Your Legacy November 5, 2026 ~ A Virtual Experience (9:00 am-12:00 pm) Step into your next chapter with clarity and confidence. This engaging academy helps administrators design a balanced retirement plan—professional, practical, and personal. Reflect on your legacy, celebrate your contributions, and chart a purposeful path forward that honors both you and your organization. |
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Increasing Student Engagement in the K-8 Classroom with Dr. Brandy Hempen November 6, 2026 at the Jerseyville ROE (9:00-3:00pm) Join Dr. Brandy Hempen for this workshop focused on many ways to increase student engagement. This workshop emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students, using classroom discussions (both verbal and nonverbal) purposefully, establishing a purpose for lessons and activities, teaching TO the standards, and differentiating instruction. This workshop is best for schools with teachers at various levels who need a variety of options to implement in their classrooms to increase student achievement. In other words, there is a little bit (or a lot) for everyone! |
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Administrator Academy 1801: Gathering Evidence During Observations and Conferencing Using the Danielson Model. November 9, 2026 at the Jerseyville ROE office (9-3:30pm) 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 performance levels for each domain; 3. Acquire strategies to support effective collaborative conferencing around formal and informal observations; and 4. Learn techniques, strategies, and protocols for conferencing with staff. |
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A Framework to Support Executive Functioning Skills for Students with Learning Disabilities November 12, 2026 at the Carlinville ROE office (12:30-3:00pm) Do your students with difficulties in reading, math, or writing also struggle to stay on task, complete work, find their supplies, and turn in homework, even when it's complete? Learn about the overlap between Executive Functioning skills and learning disabilities in this session, which walks participants through supporting the student's executive functioning skills, from writing their IEP goal to implementing Specially Designed Instruction for related skills. Specific strategies for individual students will be highlighted, as well as modifications for teaching these skills in whole-group or small-group settings. |
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The Game Changer - Boosting Engagement with Gamification December 8, 2026 at the Jerseyville ROE (12:30-3:00pm) Ready to transform your classroom into an interactive learning adventure? This workshop will explore the powerful impact of integrating game elements into your teaching. We'll demystify the difference between gamification (adding game-like elements to existing lessons, such as points and badges) and game-based learning (using actual games as the core instructional tool, such as simulations or role-playing). Discover how both approaches can boost student motivation, foster collaboration, and enhance learning outcomes across any subject area, K-12. We'll delve into the psychology behind these strategies and explore practical tools and platforms that can help you implement them effectively. Leave inspired and equipped with actionable strategies to introduce game-based principles into your daily lessons, making learning more fun and effective for everyone! |
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Creative AI - Empowering Art, Music, and PE Teachers with New Instructional Tools January 19, 2027 at the Carlinville ROE office (12:00-3:00pm) Step into the future of specialist teaching! In this engaging, hands-on session, teachers will explore a variety of AI tools that can spark creativity in their classrooms. These tools will help generate rhythmic patterns, inspire innovative choreography, create bold new art concepts, and personalize fitness plans to meet individual student needs. We’ll also unpack the essentials of ethical AI use, safeguarding student privacy, and strategies for maintaining human creativity as the central focus of every lesson. Participants will leave equipped with practical skills and confidence to integrate these cutting-edge technologies effectively and responsibly. |
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AI for Paraprofessionals
January 28, 2027 at the Jerseyville ROE office (12:00-3:00pm) Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help paraprofessionals work more efficiently while providing meaningful support to students with learning disabilities. In this beginner-friendly, three-hour interactive session, K–12 paraprofessionals will explore practical ways AI can assist with adapting instructional materials, creating student supports, organizing tasks, and improving communication with teachers and families. Participants will discover how AI can simplify daily responsibilities, reduce time spent on routine tasks, and free up more energy to build relationships and support student learning. Attendees will learn how to use AI responsibly and ethically while maintaining student confidentiality and supporting individualized learning needs, leaving with simple strategies and ready-to-use ideas that can save time, reduce workload, and potentially enhance the quality of support they provide to students. All participants should bring a fully charged laptop they have previously used. |
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10 Techniques to Get Students Talking with Dr. Brandy Hempen February 11, 2027 at the Jerseyville ROE office (9:00-3:00pm) Join Dr. Brandy Hempen for this hands-on workshop highlighting collaboration techniques to take your classroom discussions to the next level. See how each of the following topics can be enhanced in your classroom to increase the rigor and richness of your students' classroom discussions: · Relationships · Mistakes and Praise · Discussion Techniques · Flexible Grouping · Questioning Techniques · Time Management · Transitions · Purpose and Big Ideas · Student Input and Engagement · Lesson Preparation |
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Bookkeeper Roundtable Facilitator: Sarah Healy, Regional Financial Consultant, School Bus Services | ISBE October 20, 2026 | 9:00–11:30 AM - ROE #40 – Jerseyville February 18, 2027 | 9:00–11:30 AM - ROE #40 – Carlinville School bookkeepers are vital for maintaining accurate, compliant district financial operations. The ROE #40 Bookkeeper Roundtable offers a space for school business staff to connect, collaborate, and learn. Led by Sarah Healy of the Illinois State Board of Education, this interactive event provides updates, practical guidance, and a chance to discuss common challenges. Instead of a traditional workshop, it fosters conversation, problem-solving, and idea-sharing among regional colleagues. Participants should bring questions and topics, ready to learn from ISBE and each other, build professional connections, and gather useful resources. |
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Administrator Academy #3700 Health Life Safety Compliance: A Guide to the Fundamentals March 2, 2027 at The Gateway Center. Collinsville, IL (9:00-3:00pm) The purpose of this workshop is to provide administrators and other school personnel with an in-depth look at and insight into topics related to Health, Life Safety, and Compliance. You will gain a better understanding of all things pertaining to you and related processes, and walk away with a number of helpful resource documents and strategies. |
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Writing Across Content Areas March 9, 2027 at the Jerseyville ROE office (9:00-3:30pm) Writing can help students process, organize, and communicate their learning in every subject area. In this full-day session, participants will build a foundational understanding of effective writing instruction and explore practical ways to support student writing across the curriculum. The session will include explicit instructional routines, scaffolds for developing writers, and strategies that build greater independence. Participants will examine classroom examples, engage with adaptable activities, and consider how writing can be integrated into existing content-area instruction. Educators will leave with practical ideas and resources they can apply in their own classrooms. |
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School Finance Workshop with ISBE's Sarah Healy April 29, 2027 at the Carlinville ROE (9:00 - 3:00p) Join Sarah Healy, Regional Financial Consultant with School Business Services at the Illinois State Board of Education, for a practical workshop on Illinois school finance for superintendents, bookkeepers, business managers, administrative assistants, and other school staff involved in financial operations. The session provides current information, guidance, and strategies to help participants understand and manage school finance requirements. Attendees can enhance their knowledge of financial processes, explore ISBE requirements and resources, ask questions, and discuss real district financial issues. Whether new or experienced, participants will gain valuable insights to improve financial accuracy, efficiency, and confidence. Bring questions and leave better equipped to handle Illinois school finance. |
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Kevin McNicholas and Erin Shook, ROE #40 SEL Coaches, bring extensive experience working in schools and directly supporting students, educators, families, and school communities. Their backgrounds in education and student support give them a practical understanding of both the challenges educators face and the opportunities schools have to help students and staff thrive. Their expertise includes resilience, school culture and climate, educator wellness and burnout prevention, student mental health, trauma-informed practices, positive psychology, classroom management and relationships, SEL integration, family engagement, healthy boundaries, and building connected school communities. Through professional learning, coaching, consultation, and customized support, Kevin and Erin provide practical, relevant strategies that educators can put into action. Every school community is different, and they are happy to tailor workshops and support to the specific needs of your students, staff, and district. |
