Kane County Institute Day 2025

Based on the critically acclaimed book, The Educator’s ATLAS offers a groundbreaking roadmap for capturing student engagement in the first moments of class, and sustaining it all the way to the last. In keeping with Weston Kieschnick’s mission and vision for education, ATLAS holds both learner needs and teacher wisdom in equal importance. Central to this is alignment and clarification of student engagement that—once and for all—offers teachers an actionable role. Educators will leave this session joyfully inspired, motivated, and with a plan in hand for cultivating curiosity, creating participatory classrooms, and nurturing a desire to persevere in all students. And as is always the case with Kieschnick’s keynotes, participants will laugh and have a lot of fun along the way.

Speakers

Weston Kieschnick

Kieschnick and Associates, LLC

Weston Kieschnick is an award-winning educator, best-selling author, TEDx speaker, coach, husband, and father. He is the author of, The Educator’s ATLAS, Bold School, Breaking Bold, co-author of The Learning Transformation: A Guide to Blended Learning for Administrators and the... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 8:00am - 9:15am CST
Fox River Ballroom - Keynote 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

**KEYNOTE SPEAKER**

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Engagement

8:00am CST

*FULL DAY SESSION* Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (8:00AM-3:15PM)

Friday February 28, 2025 8:00am - 3:15pm CST

Breakout Room 15

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

*Participants registered for this session will have 2 hours of required, online pre-work.

Speakers

Denise Elsbree

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Denise Elsbree, LCSW, has been involved with Mental Health First Aid since 2011. Currently a National Trainer for Mental Health First Aid, she previously taught and coordinated MHFA and YMHFA courses for a large health care system in the Chicagoland area. Other work experiences... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 8:00am - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 15 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

FULL DAY SESSION

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Mental Health

9:30am CST

**KEYNOTE SPEAKER** The Educator's ATLAS: Part II

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

In this breakout session, participants will take a deeper dive into The Educator’s ATLAS with a renewed understanding of the methodology guaranteed to increase student engagement and enhance the quality of instruction happening in our schools.

Speakers

Weston Kieschnick

Kieschnick and Associates, LLC

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Fox River Ballroom - Section 1 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

**KEYNOTE SPEAKER**

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Engagement

9:30am CST

*FEATURED SPEAKER* The AI Toolbox: Best AI Tools for Schools

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

ChatGPT and Gemini are wonderful, but what other AI tools are available? Thankfully there are many educational AI resources that build on top of these models with tools that are free, provide extra functionality and features, and make the process easier and more convenient for educators. In this session we will explore many of these tools such as Diffit, Udio, MagicSchoolAI, Conker, Curipod, QuestionWell, Brisk Teaching, Goblin Tools, SchoolAI, Khanmigo, EnlightenAI, Snorkl, Sorcerer, and more.

Speakers

Eric Curts

Curtsworks LLC

Eric has been in education for 33 years, and currently serves as a Technology Integration Specialist for SPARCC in North Canton, Ohio. He also provides keynotes, professional development, and consulting for schools, organizations, and conferences all across the country. Eric’s areas... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Fox River Ballroom - Section 3

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Technology

9:30am CST

*FEATURED SPEAKER* Yes Man Paradox

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

Restoring balance and setting boundaries in your professional and personal life. Maximizing your worth by exploring your passions and connecting them to your why. Utilizing the CASEL competencies to guide your approach to teaching and learning:self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Speakers

Lindsay Zilly

As an edtech working mom of five, I have mastered the art of multitasking. I can create content, facilitate a virtual learning session, and break up a sibling argument all while keeping a pot of coee brewing. When I’m not revolutionizing the education system, you can ind me binge-reading... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Fox River Ballroom - Section 2

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Wellness

9:30am CST

SchooLinks 101

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

As districts search for ways to track things like College and Career Readiness Indicators, student work-based learning, and student progress in College and Career Pathways, some districts are looking to a newer system as a one-stop shop to meet their needs. Our presenters will take participants through an introduction of the SchooLinks platform and how they are utilizing its various components within their district.

Speakers

Joe Sieczkowski

CTE Director, Community Unit School District 300

Jon Anderson

CTE Coordinator, Community Unit School District 300

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 13 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 9th-12th
Subject CTE

9:30am CST

Creating Inclusive Classrooms and Communities of Care

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

In this session participants will experience Facing History and Ourselves resources and strategies to
develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to cultivate and maintain an inclusive,
reflective, human-centered, caring learning community. This session is intended for secondary
(grades 6-12) educators.

Presenter: Dr. Sarájanée Davis

Speakers

Facing History & Ourselves Inc.

Facing History & Ourselves uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate. Based on nearly 50 years of research, Facing History’s approach is academically rigorous, emotionally engaging, and proven to improve student outcomes. We... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 8 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 6th-12th
Subject Inclusion

9:30am CST

Cultivating Your Allies: Creating Collaborative Relationships With Families

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

Objectives: The goal of this session is to equip educators with techniques to build and maintain a culture of teamwork and respect with families at every stage of the year.

Description: This session will cover common opportunities to communicate with families, including first days of school, parent-teacher conferences, IEP/504 meetings, leveraging social media for family & community engagement, as well as responding to common parent concerts and de-escalation techniques. Educators will leave the session with techniques and resources they can implement in their practice.

Speakers

Tracey Servé

Crescent Educational Consultants

Tracey Servé founded Crescent Educational Consultants to extend her passion for student agency and community-building, creating a broader impact beyond the classroom. Over her 16 years in the classroom, Tracey has developed a philosophy centered on building student agency over their... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 6 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Parent Engagement

9:30am CST

Empowering All Learners: Student Success Through Gender Equity

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

In this session, participants will explore the concept of gender bias, and how identifying it can help to enhance the climate and culture in their classrooms. Participants will learn how understanding gender bias can increase student engagement and success while improving relationships throughout the school.

Speakers

Peter Cunningham

Director of Instruction and Personnel, Diamond Lake SD 76

Erica Berger

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 14 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12

9:30am CST

Unlocking Potential: Enhancing Autism Supports in Schools

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

In this session, educators' will gain an understanding of the key features and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder and how to support students with ASD. Participants will explore practical strategies and best practices for creating supportive learning environments and implementing effective autism supports within school settings, empowering them to better meet the diverse needs of students on the spectrum.

Speakers

Turning Pointe Autism Foundation

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 2 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Inclusion

9:30am CST

Word Nerds Unite: Strategies for Vocabulary Success

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

Need to shake up your vocabulary instruction? Want to learn new ways to help students learn academic vocabulary? Come to this session, where you will learn principles of vocabulary instruction from The Vocabulary Playbook by Fisher and Frey as well as some new strategies. There will be work time to put your learning into action. Session is aimed at 3rd-12th grade teachers of all content areas.

Speakers

Rachael Walker

Instructional Coach, Kaneland District 302

Jessica Bloomquist

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 10 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 3rd-12th

9:30am CST

2026 Rebecca Caudill Award Book Talk

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

Come and hear about the books nominated for the 2026 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award! We'll book talk the new list of 20 nominees and share how you can use the books in your classroom and library.

Speakers

Ruth Gheysen

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 9 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12

9:30am CST

Exploring the Science of Reading: Elementary

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

Understanding and implementing evidence-based practices is crucial to fostering successful reading
development among students. This professional development session offers an immersive introduction to
the concept and methods of structured literacy. This session is tailored for K-5 General Education and
Special Education teachers, as well as administrators and curriculum coordinators who are new to the
principles of structured literacy and seek to enhance their understanding of effective literacy instruction
for all students.

Speakers

Kellyn Sirach

Reading Specialist, Illinois SLD Support Project

Kellyn Sirach is a passionate and motivated educator who has committed her career to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn to read. Over the past year, she has served as the Reading Content Specialist for the IL SLD Support Project developing professional development... Read More →

Illinois SLD Support Project

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 1 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-5
Subject Literacy

9:30am CST

Understanding the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan and What it Means for Advanced Learners

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

The Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan and its implications support differentiated literacy instruction for ALL learners. This provides districts and schools "flexibility and local autonomy" in a "no one size fits all" literacy learning program and curriculum. This session will place a lens on the advanced literacy learner and how the Literacy Plan advocates for differentiated instruction and meeting the needs of advanced learners.

Speakers

Laura Beltchenko

Illinois Reading Council

Laura Beltchenko has been a classroom teacher, reading specialist, teacher and coordinator of gifted programs, and an associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction in a suburban K-12 school district. She is currently the Chair of the Illinois State Board of Education Advisory... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 4 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Literacy

9:30am CST

Building Strong Foundations: Advancing Addition and Subtraction Skills for K-3 Learners

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

Join us for a math session designed specifically for K-3 educators focused on enhancing students' addition and subtraction understanding. This session is dedicated to equipping K-3 teachers with practical strategies to support and extend learners at all levels of proficiency. We will delve into the progression of counting and base ten concepts, examining student work and aligning our approaches with educational standards.
During this session, we will explore:

The foundational stages of counting and understanding base ten.
Effective methods to support and challenge students based on their current understanding of addition and subtraction.
How to interpret and utilize student work to guide instructional decisions.
Techniques to align classroom practices with relevant standards to ensure comprehensive learning.

Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the mathematical progression in early elementary grades and a toolkit of actionable ideas to foster and extend mathematical skills in their students. Whether you're looking to support struggling learners or challenge advanced students, this session offers valuable insights and resources for every educator aiming to build strong arithmetic foundations.

Session Objectives:

Look at student work to develop an understanding of the progression of addition and subtraction
Use a planning tool (Forecasting Guide) to plan lessons to reach all learners in a student centered way

Speakers

Mona Math

Chicago Math Group

Together we are transforming math education by helping teachers and students build a strong conceptual understanding of math. Through collaborative coaching and innovative professional learning, we empower teachers to create vibrant classroom communities where students are engaged... Read More →

Mona Iehl

Founding Coach

With 15 years of experience in Chicago Public Schools, Mona once felt lost teaching math because she believed she wasn’t a “math person.” Her journey led to the development of the Word Problem Workshop, a student-centered approach that leverages students’ curiosity to build... Read More →

Mark Golden

Teacher + Coach

As a 13th year teacher leader, Mark inspires students to take ownership of their learning and build independence. He creates classroom communities that balance structure with laughter and joyful learning. Mark loves teaching math with the Word Problem Workshop because it pushes students... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 7 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Math

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-3
Subject Math

9:30am CST

Math Vocabulary & Language - Best Practices

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

This session covers best practices in teaching and practicing math vocabulary for all students, but especially beneficial for ELL or SPED students. Using these key ideas and strategies, students will make better connections to math content, which will translate into better understanding of concepts. Teachers will leave with resources and ideas to use in every math lesson.

Speakers

Rachel Sibley

Independent Math Coach & Consultant, Rachel Sibley Math Coaching & Consulting, LLC

Rachel Sibley is a math education coach & consultant, working with schools and teachers around the area to build a structure for the teaching & learning of math standards. With a priority on best practices and engaging instructional strategies, Rachel works with teachers to create... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 3 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Math

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Math

9:30am CST

Using an Inquiry-Design Model in the Social Sciences- Planning and Assessment

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

Social science teachers and classes continue to adapt and evolve. While the revised Illinois Social Science Standards were implemented in the 2022-23 school year, it can still be challenging to include all the components in your classroom. If you have ever felt like you are overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin, join us for a session that will provide you a roadmap for using the inquiry-design model for teaching so you can connect content, skills, and multiple perspectives of historical events and social science phenomena.

Speakers

Amy Boyles

Northern Illinois University

Dr. Amy Boyles serves as the Assistant Director of the History & Social Sciences Secondary Educator Licensure Program at Northern Illinois University. She holds a BA in history from Illinois Wesleyan University, a M.Ed. in educational leadership from American College of Education... Read More →

John Alcalde

Northern Illinois University

Dr. John Alcalde is a native of Vilafranca del Penedès, Catalonia. He pursued his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Barcelona, Catalonia. He attained his Master of Arts in History in 1998. After college, he relocated to England to acquire proficiency in the... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 5 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 6th-12th
Subject Social Science

9:30am CST

Biomimicry in Design

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

Biomimicry is the design and production of materials, structures, and systems that are modeled on biological entities and processes. In this workshop, educators will learn how to guide their students to draw inspiration from biomimicry and organic design to sketch and build architectural sculptures that reflect the forms and processes of organisms, ecosystems, and habitats found in the natural world. Educators will build their students’ research skills as they learn how processes and forms in nature can creatively be applied to design.

Speakers

Frank Lloyd Wright Trust

The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust's mission is to engage, educate and inspire the public through interpretation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s design legacy and preservation of his original sites for future generations. Established in 1974, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust organization has evolved... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 12 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

STEAM

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 6th-12th
Subject STEAM

9:30am CST

NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence: K-12 Education

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST

This workshop introduces participants to K–12 Environmental Education: Guidelines for Excellence which provides students, parents, educators, home schoolers, administrators, policy makers, and the public a set of common, voluntary guidelines for environmental literacy.

The guidelines support state and local environmental education efforts in this way:
✓ Set expectations for achievement in fourth, eighth, and twelfth grades
✓ Suggest a framework for effective and comprehensive environmental education
programs and curricula
✓ Demonstrate how environmental education can be used to meet standards set by
the traditional disciplines and give students opportunities to synthesize knowledge
and experience across disciplines
✓ Define the aims of environmental education

These guidelines set a standard for high-quality education, based on what an environmentally literate person should know and be able to do by the time they graduate from high school. They draw on the best thinking in the field to outline the core ingredients of environmental education. Workshop participants will walk away with a solid understanding of the learning framework provided in the Guidelines and will be able to correlate the guidelines to
their own curriculum materials.

*Participants will be given print curriculum in this session.

Speakers

Environmental Education Association of Illinois

The Environmental Education Association of Illinois (EEAI) is a statewide organization dedicated to supporting educators. EEAI nurtures and sustains a diverse network of environmental educators in Illinois. We foster connections, improve environmental literacy, and amplify underrepresented... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Breakout Room 11 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

STEAM

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Science

11:00am CST

Lunch: You need to add a lunch break to your schedule during Session 3 (11:00AM-12:15PM) or Session 4 (12:30PM-1:45PM). Feel the freedom to bring your boxed lunch to any available breakout!

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

Q Tower Dining - L1

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Q Tower Dining - L1

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education

11:00am CST

**KEYNOTE SPEAKER** The Educator's ATLAS: Part II

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

Speakers

Weston Kieschnick

Kieschnick and Associates, LLC

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Fox River Ballroom - Section 1 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

**KEYNOTE SPEAKER**

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Engagement

11:00am CST

*FEATURED SPEAKER* The ABC's of AI - What Educators Need to Know

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

The capabilities and availability of Artificial Intelligence tools have skyrocketed in recent years. It is critical for schools to consider how to best address and use AI in education. In this session we will explore the ABC's of AI including: A) About AI (what AI tools are currently available and how they work), B) Benefits of AI (practical and powerful ways to use AI for teaching and learning) and C) Concerns of AI (how to address potential misuses of this transformative technology).

Speakers

Eric Curts

Curtsworks LLC

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Fox River Ballroom - Section 3

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Technology

11:00am CST

*FEATURED SPEAKER* The Power of Purpose: A Guide to Finding Your Path and Making an Impact

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

This session is designed to help educators and edtech enthusiasts explore how to connect their passion and skills with a sense of purpose in order to create real impact in the world of education. This session will cover strategies and practical tools for discovering one's unique purpose and turning it into a powerful force for change in the classroom and beyond. Attendees will learn from real-world examples of successful edtech initiatives, and have the
opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals to brainstorm and plan their own purpose-driven edtech projects. Whether you're just getting started in the field or looking to re-energize your approach, this session will equip you with the inspiration and resources you need to make a positive impact on education through technology.

Speakers

Lindsay Zilly

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Fox River Ballroom - Section 2

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Technology

11:00am CST

Developing Team Based Challenges

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

With the required implementation of the College and Career Pathway Endorsements just a few months away, participants can come in and hear about how to meet the requirement of a Team Based Challenge within their schools and districts. Presenters will walk through the requirements surrounding the creation of team based challenges and how many of the great things already being done within your classrooms might already qualify.

Speakers

Terry Stroh

Director of the Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System

Joe Sieczkowski

CTE Director, Community Unit School District 300

Jon Anderson

CTE Coordinator, Community Unit School District 300

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 13 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 9th-12th
Subject CTE

11:00am CST

Creating Connections: Navigating Home to School Connection

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

In this session, educators will be equipped with the necessary tools to cultivate positive relationships with parents, ensuring a balance between connection and maintaining healthy boundaries, even during challenging conversations or life circumstances. While examples tailored to special education will be featured, educators from all backgrounds are encouraged to participate and benefit from the discussion.

Speakers

Turning Pointe Autism Foundation

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 2 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Parent Engagemnet

11:00am CST

Facing History’s Approach to Teaching English Language Arts

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

This professional learning will introduce educators to Facing History’s approach to teaching
secondary English Language Arts (ELA). We will share our expansive new collection, Coming of Age in
a Complex World, that invites students to explore the complexity of identity and develop a sense of
agency as they reflect on what it means to grow up in the world today. This session is intended for
secondary (grades 6-12) English Language Arts educators and other literacy specialists.

Presenter: Ken Garcia-Gonzales

Speakers

Facing History & Ourselves Inc.

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 8 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 6th-12th
Subject Literacy

11:00am CST

The Inclusive Classroom: Allowing All Students To Be Their Whole Selves

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

Objectives: The goal of this session is to teach educators how to create an intentional culture of inclusivity in their classrooms from the first day to the last.

Description: This session will focus on using inclusive language, establishing culturally informed classroom norms, examining images and texts used in the classroom, and allowing students to have their voices heard. Educators will leave the session with techniques and resources they can implement in their practice.

Speakers

Tracey Servé

Crescent Educational Consultants

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 6 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Inclusion

11:00am CST

Building Bridges: Effective Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

In "Building Bridges: Effective Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners," participants will explore practical approaches to supporting ELLs in the classroom. They will learn differentiated instruction techniques, scaffolding strategies, and culturally responsive practices to promote language development and academic success. The session will cover assessing, providing feedback, and engaging ELLs through interactive activities. Attendees will leave with actionable tools and strategies to create an inclusive, supportive learning environment for all students.

Speakers

Candelaria Barrientos Jimenez

Lori Palmer

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 10 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 6th-12th

11:00am CST

Integrating Effective Writing Practices into Non-ELA Classes

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

"Integrating Effective Writing Practices into Non-ELA Classes" is a professional development workshop
designed to equip educators across various disciplines with strategies to enhance writing instruction in
their classrooms. Tailored for teachers outside the English Language Arts (ELA) realm, this workshop
focuses on practical techniques for incorporating writing assignments, feedback mechanisms, and
literacy-building activities into subject-specific curricula. Participants will explore innovative approaches to cultivate students' writing proficiency while promoting deeper engagement and comprehension in non-
ELA subjects.

Speakers

Jess Rodriguez

Writing Specialist, Illinois SLD Support Project

Jess Rodriguez is an experienced educator with a diverse background in teaching and curriculum development. For the last year, Jess honed her expertise in educational strategies providing support as a regional specialist; however, she is excited to now embark on a new journey as an... Read More →

Illinois SLD Support Project

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 1 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Writing

11:00am CST

Powerful Partnerships: Teachers Collaborating with Librarians

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

Stimulate reading investment for students by generating a community of readers! Developing self-sufficient lifelong readers is not a mission that can be accomplished alone. As educators, we need a reading community for this task. Developing a powerful partnership between teachers and librarians will revitalize readers by reinforcing expectations for student reading, supporting self-selected choices, and explicitly instructing young people on how to access the school library with all its treasures.

Speakers

Dr. Niki Woodruff

ELA Teacher, BPS

As a dedicated educator who focuses on empowering my students to become readers and writers with a voice, my knowledge and expertise in YAL, as well as Student Voice & Choice (SVC), have grown exponentially. I have been in the field of education for over twenty years, completed a... Read More →

Diana Wolf

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 9 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12

11:00am CST

Using the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) to Foster Student Critical Thinking and Collaboration

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

The Question Formulation technique (QFT) provides a structured approach to assist students in asking questions, not just answering them. QFT words in concert with inquiry based learning and promotes learning engagement and meaningful discussion. QFT initiates the development of thought-provoking questions that assists educators understand how much prior knowledge their students know about a topic of study. It supports critical and creative thinking while fostering students' natural curiosity, motivation and engagement in learning. It is an excellent strategy for social studies and science for grades K-12. This is an interactive session so get ready to collaborate!

Speakers

Laura Beltchenko

Illinois Reading Council

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 4 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Literacy

11:00am CST

Mastering Multiplication and Division: Strategies for Supporting all 3-5 Learners

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

A session to help you deepen your students' understanding of multiplication and division in this targeted session for 3rd to 5th grade educators. This session is tailored to empower teachers with the tools and strategies needed to effectively support and extend students' mathematical skills across varying levels of comprehension.
In this session, we will:

Explore the progression of skills and understanding as students develop their ability to multiply and divide.
Analyze student work to identify common misconceptions and areas for growth.
Examine effective models and strategies that support diverse learners in mastering multiplication and division.
Align teaching practices with educational standards to ensure robust and coherent instruction.

Participants will gain insights into the cognitive development of multiplication and division skills and leave with a repertoire of practical approaches to foster student growth. Whether your goal is to reinforce foundational skills or to challenge advanced learners, this session provides valuable perspectives and resources to elevate your mathematics instruction. Join us to enhance your teaching toolkit and support every student on their path to mastering multiplication and division.

Speakers

Mona Math

Chicago Math Group

Mona Iehl

Founding Coach

Mark Golden

Teacher + Coach

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 7 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Math

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 3rd-5th
Subject Math

11:00am CST

Structuring Guided Math & Small Group Instruction

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

Small group instruction provides an opportunity for flexible and differentiated learning in the math classroom. Learn how to keep your students engaged, give them choice, and tailor instruction based on student needs - all while using a manageable teacher system. Participants will learn how to plan and implement guided math, and leave with resources to use in the classroom.

Speakers

Rachel Sibley

Independent Math Coach & Consultant, Rachel Sibley Math Coaching & Consulting, LLC

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 3 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Math

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Math

11:00am CST

Using Loose Parts to Increase Engagement

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

This session will introduce educators to the power of loose parts play as a transformative approach to early childhood education. We will delve into the powerful role of loose parts play in fostering social-emotional learning in preschool classrooms. Participants will explore the foundational ideas, principles, and theories of loose parts, practical strategies for implementing them to promote SEL skills in the classroom, and the myriad benefits they offer for child development.

Speakers

Jodi Eppenstein

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 14 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Social and Emotional Learning

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-5

11:00am CST

Using an Inquiry-Design Model in the Social Sciences- Addressing Difficult Conversations in an Increasing Political Climate

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

Educators (and parents!) are always modeling and teaching academic, social, emotional, and civic lessons, even if they are not intentionally “political.” In thinking about the increasing divide within the United States, students need the opportunity to learn how to communicate and discuss difficult and potentially controversial topics. We will discuss strategies to help you identify ways to use discussion to teach and engage our students. This session will enhance the practice of educators with strategies and resources to create a classroom climate in which there are equitable opportunities for all students.

Speakers

Amy Boyles

Northern Illinois University

John Alcalde

Northern Illinois University

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 5 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 6th-12th
Subject Social Science

11:00am CST

NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence: Community Engagement

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

This workshop explores the Community Engagement Guidelines for Excellence from NAAEE. Would you like to work with your community more to design and implement quality programs? This set of guidelines focuses on community wellness and is designed to help formal and nonformal environmental educators create inclusive environments that support effective partnerships and collaborations. Workshop participants will walk away with a solid understanding of the Community Engagement Guidelines and how they improve the quality of EE practice and will Identify tools for fostering community engagement strategies at your home schools/organizations/contexts.

*Participants will be given print curriculum in this session.

Speakers

Environmental Education Association of Illinois

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 11 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

STEAM

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Science

11:00am CST

Pentominoes - Simple Shapes and Big Ideas

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST

This workshop provides a hands-on opportunity for educators to analyze, compare, and create geometric designs inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. Participants will use Pentominoes to create their own architectural floor plans. Educators will explore how to guide their students to identify and describe simple and complex geometric shapes found in art and architecture using Pentominoes.

Speakers

Frank Lloyd Wright Trust

Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm CST
Breakout Room 12 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

STEAM

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 3rd-6th
Subject STEAM

12:30pm CST

Lunch: You need to add a lunch break to your schedule during Session 3 (11:00AM-12:15PM) or Session 4 (12:30PM-1:45PM). Feel the freedom to bring your boxed lunch to any available breakout!

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

Q Tower Dining - L1

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Q Tower Dining - L1

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education

12:30pm CST

*FEATURED SPEAKER * Super Tutor: AI to Support all Learners

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

Artificial intelligence tools are a powerful way to provide support, accessibility, and accommodations for all learners for all of their needs. In this session we will explore ways AI can assist with individualized AI tutoring, personalized explanations, reading comprehension, summarization, writing supports, custom feedback, problem solving, review, and much more.

Speakers

Eric Curts

Curtsworks LLC

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Fox River Ballroom - Section 3

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Technology

12:30pm CST

*FEATURED SPEAKER* Empowering Our Teachers to Shift the Narrative and Set a Course for a New Future

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

Empowering our teachers to shift the narrative and set a course for a new future. In this session we look at the systems within education that are holding us back and discuss ways to move everyone forward. From ableism, to gender inequities, once we know better we can do better. This is simply a place to start and find our footing so that we can notice the problems, confront them, and begin to rebuild.

Speakers

Lindsay Zilly

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Fox River Ballroom - Section 2

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Inclusion

12:30pm CST

*FEATURED SPEAKER* Stories Matter: Creating an Anti-Racist School Culture

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

How to Engage in Vigilant Self-Awareness
The importance of Studying and Teaching
How to talk about Race with Students

Speakers

Dr. John Gaines

Top Youth Speakers

Dr. John “Push” Gaines is a former at-risk kid turned CEO/Founder of nonprofit PUSH for Dreams, a Best-selling author, renowned speaker, leadership consultant, and mentorship advocate. His message of pushing through adversity and defying the odds has transformed classrooms, school... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Fox River Ballroom - Section 1 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Diversity

12:30pm CST

Why the push for Dual Credit? And how to get there...

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

There is a greater push today for students to have the opportunity to earn college credit as part of their high school experience, even being written into state law as a requirement for a student to earn a College and Career Pathway Endorsement. Participants will be able to hear from a district leader and their community college partner as to how they work together in offering dual credit classes both in the high school and on the college campus.

Speakers

Myka Kennedy

Director of Postsecondary Success, School District U-46

Sean Jensen

Asst. Dean of College in High School Programs, Elgin Community College

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 13 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 9th-12th
Subject CTE

12:30pm CST

Beyond the ABCs: Building Student Agency Across Grades and Subjects (K-5)

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

Objectives: The goal of this session is to share tools for implementing the K-12 curriculum in a way that continuously builds student agency as students develop.

Description: This session will explore using problem-based learning and embedding SEL lessons into curriculum to help students take ownership of their learning and ignite curiosity. These techniques will lead to students who feel personal agency in their education. This is more important than ever in the 21st-century classroom.

Speakers

Tracey Servé

Crescent Educational Consultants

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 6 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level K-5th
Subject Student Voice

12:30pm CST

Building Bridges to Success: Assessment and Goal Writing for Educators

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

Speakers

Turning Pointe Autism Foundation

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 2 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Inclusion

12:30pm CST

I notice, I wonder

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

“I notice, I wonder” is a student-led seminar in which students discuss their experiences, hardships, and development regarding their identity. The “I notice,” is representative of a student's past and current experiences in the educational system that they want to bring to light. The “I wonder,” is an open and inclusive conversation between students and faculty on the, “Why?” in the classroom. This seminar is a platform for all individuals, inspiring understanding and sparking discussion.

Speakers

D301 Students

Central Unit School District 301

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 14 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12

12:30pm CST

Introduction to Facing History’s Approach to Social Studies

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

During this interactive session, we will share resources and model teaching strategies that support
educators in meeting Illinois Teaching Inclusive History Mandates and that help educators create
democratic learning environments where students are able to grapple with the complex histories,
choices, and actions of individuals, groups, and institutions in the past and present. This session is
intended for secondary (grades 6-12) Social Studies and History educators.

Presenter: Dr. Sarájanée Davis

Speakers

Facing History & Ourselves Inc.

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 8 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 6th-12th
Subject Social Studies

12:30pm CST

MTSS - Building a Solid Structure

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

This session will explore a system to structuring a successful MTSS process for your school or district. Participants will reflect on and evaluate current systems and practices, and leave with a plan and resources to bring to their school.

Speakers

Rachel Sibley

Independent Math Coach & Consultant, Rachel Sibley Math Coaching & Consulting, LLC

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 3 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Math

12:30pm CST

Stronger Connections, Stronger Classrooms: SEL Strategies That Work

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

Ready to boost connections and make your classroom a place where students feel seen, heard, and ready to learn? In this session, we’ll dive into CASEL’s 3 signature practices and Greg Wolcott’s Significant 72—two powerful approaches to building relationships and creating a culture where students thrive. You’ll leave with practical, easy-to-use ideas that bring SEL to life and help you build a classroom that’s not just about learning, but about belonging.

Speakers

Elsa Glover

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 →

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 12 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12

12:30pm CST

Unlocking the Brain's Potential - Rewiring the Way We Teach

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

This session's goal is to support the educator’s understanding of the brain while taking time to reflect on the alignment of current practices with the foundational needs of the brain. Participants will walk away with an ability to view engagement and learning through the lens of the brain and will be able to cultivate a classroom environment that supports the neuropsychological needs of children.

Speakers

Amy Vernagallo

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 10 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12

12:30pm CST

Creating the Write Path: Strategies for Supporting Emergent Writers

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

Throughout this training session, educators will be equipped with essential strategies for fostering the
growth and development of emergent writers in early childhood settings. Participants will explore
evidence-based approaches to nurturing writing skills, from pre-writing activities to guided writing
techniques. Through interactive discussions and practical examples, attendees will gain insights into
building a supportive writing environment and scaffolding instruction to meet the diverse needs of young
learners throughout multiple stages of writing development.

Speakers

Jess Rodriguez

Writing Specialist, Illinois SLD Support Project

Illinois SLD Support Project

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 1 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-5
Subject Writing

12:30pm CST

Utilizing Paired Text and Text Sets to Present Challenge and Literary Analysis, Grades 2-5

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

Using paired text based on topics, or the exploration of overarching concepts and generalizations are methods of raising awareness of how texts having similar subjects compare as well as contract with one another to develop deeper levels of understanding. In this session we will explore how pairing texts and creating text sets (a bibliography will be shared) can benefit the development of higher order thinking as well as how story details and the integration of ideas can support literary analysis that is found in the Illinois Assessment of Readiness.

Speakers

Laura Beltchenko

Illinois Reading Council

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 4 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Literacy

12:30pm CST

Productive Struggle with Word Problems (Grades K-5)

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

Unlock the power of problem-solving in your math classroom in this session focused on transforming students' approach to word problems and gain strategies to engage students in deep, meaningful mathematical thinking.
In this session, you will:

Discover practical techniques to foster productive struggle and encourage perseverance in solving math word problems.
Learn how to facilitate rich math discussions that promote critical thinking and understanding.
Explore ways to integrate these strategies seamlessly into your existing curriculum, making problem-solving an integral part of your students' learning experience.
Gain insights into how to build students' confidence and empower them to tackle word problems with competence and creativity.

By focusing on student-centered approaches and encouraging active engagement, this session will help you transform how your students perceive and solve word problems. You'll leave with a toolkit of strategies to inspire and empower your students, turning confusion into confidence and making word problems a rewarding challenge rather than a daunting task. Join us to ignite a passion for problem-solving and empower your students to succeed!

Speakers

Mona Math

Chicago Math Group

Mona Iehl

Founding Coach

Mark Golden

Teacher + Coach

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 7 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Math

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-5
Subject Math

12:30pm CST

Game On! (SEL FUNdamentals)

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

Put the fun in SEL fundamentals! In this joyful and interactive workshop, participants play a variety of tabletop games that can be enjoyed with staff to support positive climate and culture or in the classroom to foster and support SEL skills.

Speakers

Nichole Ambrosia

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 9 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Social and Emotional Learning

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12

12:30pm CST

Using an Inquiry-Design Model in the Social Sciences- Planning and Assessment

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

Speakers

Amy Boyles

Northern Illinois University

John Alcalde

Northern Illinois University

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 5 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 6th-12th
Subject Social Science

12:30pm CST

Project Learning Tree: Explore Your Environment

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST

Join EEAI to dig into PLT’s flagship curriculum Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide. This curriculum includes 50 hands-on, multidisciplinary activities to connect children to nature and increase young people’s awareness and knowledge about their environment. Activities include detailed step-by-step instructions, academic correlations, time and material requirements, and corresponding student worksheets with green career connections. This supplementary curriculum is designed to develop students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The activities are practical, hands-on, and fun, and aligned with state and national academic standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards. In addition, PLT connects with nonformal education programs. For example, PLT activities meet the requirements for Girl Scout Badges and Journeys.

*Participants will be given print curriculum in this session.

Speakers

Environmental Education Association of Illinois

Friday February 28, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm CST
Breakout Room 11 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

STEAM

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level K-8th
Subject Science

2:00pm CST

*FEATURED SPEAKER * Artificial Intelligence / Natural Misuse - Managing AI in Schools

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

As beneficial as AI is, it also comes with challenges and the potential for misuse. In this session we will explore ways to address academic integrity concerns, tools and strategies to help monitor AI use, proper citation for AI generated content, ways to encourage positive use of AI in the classrooms, developing your own class set of AI guidelines for students, alternative assessment options, addressing AI bias and inaccuracies, student data privacy, identifying fake content, evaluating AI tools, and more.

Speakers

Eric Curts

Curtsworks LLC

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Fox River Ballroom - Section 3

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Technology

2:00pm CST

*FEATURED SPEAKER* Engagement: Everything I Learned about EDU, I Learned from Jimmy Fallon

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

This highly interactive and engaging workshop leverages gamification to keep students engaged in authentic learning
experiences. Walk away with a playlist of activities rooted in best pedagogical practices that you can use with your students tomorrow!

Speakers

Lindsay Zilly

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Fox River Ballroom - Section 2

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Engagement

2:00pm CST

*FEATURED SPEAKER* Just One, "I Believe in You" Can Change a Kid's Life

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

John’s childhood was one of extreme adversity. Growing up surrounded by drugs and violence, facing personal struggles, and being bullied for his differences, he had every reason to give up, but he pushed through thanks to a caring adult. In this speech, he shares how educators and caring adults can make a life-changing impact in the life of a kid.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Why educating the WHOLE CHILD matters
How to integrate practical, relational tools
How to connect with empathy

Speakers

Dr. John Gaines

Top Youth Speakers

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Fox River Ballroom - Section 1 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Relationships

2:00pm CST

Guiding Students Through Career Pathways

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

What kind of education is required to enter various careers? Have you talked with students about their career aspirations? Are you aware of the levels of education that are required for various careers? Come in and join the conversation about guiding students through the path of finding the right career.

Speakers

Terry Stroh

Director of the Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System

Todd Stirn

Work-Based Learning Specialist Northern Kane County

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 13 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 9th-12th
Subject CTE

2:00pm CST

Beyond the ABCs: Building Student Agency Across Grades and Subjects (6-12)

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

Speakers

Tracey Servé

Crescent Educational Consultants

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 6 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 6th-12th
Subject Student Agency

2:00pm CST

Blueprint for Behavior: Introduction to Functional Behavior Assessments

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

This session is designed to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of functional behavioral assessments (FBA) in the school environment. Throughout this session, our aim is to demystify FBA by defining its core concepts, exploring the four functions of behavior, and distinguishing between indirect and direct assessments. You'll have the opportunity to engage with various assessment types and real-life examples of results.

Speakers

Turning Pointe Autism Foundation

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 2 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Inclusion

2:00pm CST

I notice, I wonder

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

Speakers

D301 Students

Central Unit School District 301

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 14 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12

2:00pm CST

Navigating Crucial Conversations to Foster Effective Civic Participation

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

Join Facing History and Ourselves to experience and practice strategies that support respectful
conversations and perspective taking around potentially challenging topics, essential skills for
effective civic participation. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use tools for navigating crucial
conversations while building inclusive learning environments. This session is intended for secondary
(grades 6-12) Civics, Social Studies, History, and Humanities educators.

Presenter: Ken Garcia-Gonzales

Speakers

Facing History & Ourselves Inc.

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 8 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 6th-12th
Subject Civic Engagement

2:00pm CST

Unlocking Potential: Tools and Strategies to Build Executive Function Skills

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

Executive function skills, including planning, organization, and self-regulation, are essential for student success in the classroom and beyond. This session equips educators with research-backed strategies and digital tools to foster these critical skills in their students. Participants will explore how integrating simple, effective tools and techniques into daily teaching practices can enhance student learning, independence, and productivity.

Speakers

Dr. Mikaely Schmitz CCC-SLP

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 10 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12

2:00pm CST

Effective Writing Instructional Strategies for Secondary Students: Recommendations from the What Works Clearinghouse

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

The What Works Clearinghouse screened over 3,500 studies on writing instruction and developed
instructional recommendations based on the studies that met their rigorous criteria for research. These
evidence-based recommendations will be presented and broken down with specific examples and
strategies you can use in the classroom tomorrow.

Speakers

Jess Rodriguez

Writing Specialist, Illinois SLD Support Project

Illinois SLD Support Project

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 1 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 9th-12th
Subject Writing

2:00pm CST

Picture Books as Complex Text, Grades PreK-3

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

In this book-rich session, participants will experience the advanced messages that illustrations send in picture books. We will explore using observation and visual literacy, the physicality and structures of children’s picture books and the impact these structures support instructional practice and intriguing read alouds. We will take a purposeful, productive and thoughtful adventure in picture books to better understand the advanced comprehension implications illustrations convey that words may not reveal to the reader. This session supports a myriad of ELA Standards.

Speakers

Laura Beltchenko

Illinois Reading Council

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 4 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-3
Subject Literacy

2:00pm CST

Engaging Middle School Students in Productive Struggle through Math Discourse

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

Dive into the heart of middle school mathematics and gain practical strategies to encourage students to embrace productive struggle and deepen their understanding through rich mathematical discourse.
In this session, we will:

Explore effective methods to foster a classroom environment where productive struggle is valued and encouraged.
Examine real student work and classroom video to discover math discourse facilitation techniques that get every child meaningfully engaged.
Align the teacher moves in order to build students’ social and emotional skills and math mindset.

Through a blend of analysis and hands-on activities, participants will gain insights into how to motivate students to persevere through challenging problems and engage deeply with mathematical concepts. You'll leave equipped with a variety of strategies to seamlessly integrate productive struggle and discourse into your teaching, helping students to not only connect with the math content but also to develop critical thinking skills and resilience. Join us to transform your math classroom into a vibrant space of exploration, discussion, and discovery!

Speakers

Mona Math

Chicago Math Group

Mona Iehl

Founding Coach

Mark Golden

Teacher + Coach

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 7 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Math

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 5th-8th
Subject Math

2:00pm CST

Implementing the first Building Thinking Classrooms Toolkit

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

Peter Liljedahl's book Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics: 14 Teaching Practices for Enhanced Learning in Grades K-12 has become a game changer for teachers all over the country and is a very powerful way to structure your math routines! These strategies focus on best practices in math instruction & grading/feedback approaches, so your students are engaged, motivated, and growing in the math classroom. This session will introduce you to the Building Thinking Classrooms’ approach, then cover the first 3 strategies from the book, set up as a "toolkit" that is explained, dissected, and then can be implemented in any mathematics classroom. You do not need to have read or have the book to attend this session.

Speakers

Rachel Sibley

Independent Math Coach & Consultant, Rachel Sibley Math Coaching & Consulting, LLC

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 3 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Math

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12
Subject Math

2:00pm CST

SEL for Adults

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

This session is to explore, support, and develop the SEL needs and interests of educators based on CASEL’s framework of 5 Competencies: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. Participant Outcomes: To explore CASEL’s 5 Competencies of SEL as they apply to adults. To support participants to reflect and self-assess on SEL as part of impacting student learning. To develop a next step based on participant’s individual needs and interests.

Speakers

Laura Newmeyer

Dr. Anna Quinzio-Zafren

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 9 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Social and Emotional Learning

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12

2:00pm CST

Using an Inquiry-Design Model in the Social Sciences- Addressing Difficult Conversations in an Increasing Political Climate

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

Speakers

Amy Boyles

Northern Illinois University

John Alcalde

Northern Illinois University

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 5 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level 6th-12th
Subject Social Science

2:00pm CST

Bringing Computer Science to All Classrooms - Mock Workshop

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST

Explore the critical role of computer science in today’s classrooms during this professional development session. Participants will learn why embedding computer science into all subjects is vital for equipping students with future-ready skills. Guided by an instructional coach, attendees will engage in a mock SCRIPT workshop to understand the key components of a comprehensive K-12 computer science education plan and the steps schools can take to integrate computer science effectively.

Speakers

Faye Licari

Kane County Regional Office of Education

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Breakout Room 12 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

STEAM

Host Organization Kane County Regional Office of Education
Grade Level PreK-12

2:00pm CST

Earth Force & the RISE Challenge

Friday February 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST