ROE 53 Newsletter

The Regional Office of Education #53 would like to welcome all the students and educators back to school! We look forward to seeing the learning and growth of the students in our area's schools during the 2025-2026 school year!

How will you SPARK a light in your classroom this year? Each quarter, the ROE 53 Instructional Coach, Courtney, will highlight a theme and share practical strategies to spark student learning and engagement. Pick the ones that fit your classroom and give them a try!

Check Out This Quarter's Spark Box: Classroom Conversations

Area 3 SEL Hub Fall & Winter Course List (click here)

Professional learning sessions for social emotional learning - in-person and virtual!

Youth Mental Health First Aid 2025

Location: Peoria ROE Community Room, Peoria

Time: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Cost: $30

In-Person Blended Course - 2 hours online pre-work; 4.5 hours of live training

Click on DATE for INFO and LINK to REGISTER

September 4, 2025

October 21, 2025

December 4, 2025

SEL - Creating Class Agreements & Goals

This tool presents a process for co-creating agreements as a class community, reflecting how students want to be treated and how they plan to treat others.

10 Read Alouds to Build Classroom Community

This list for K-5 features thoughtfully selected picture books that are especially well-suited for reading aloud in the first days and weeks of the school year. Each title was chosen for its potential to spark conversations about identity, empathy, inclusion, kindness, and shared values.

Inclusive Illinois Calendar

The Calendar highlights important dates and holidays with related resources for each month.

Administrator Academy 4050: September 8-9, 2025 in Washington

This two-day in-person training will cover all aspects of evaluation, including principal and assistant principal professional practice and student growth data.

Registration ends September 3!

Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Kindergarten: Bridging Standards, Instruction & the Danielson Framework: October 6, 2025 in Peoria

This session will provide administrators with a clear understanding of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) in a kindergarten classroom and how these practices align with state standards and the Danielson Framework for Teaching.

Learn more here! Register here!

Google Admin Level I Certification: October 9, 2025 in Morton

This live, Level 1 bootcamp will guide you and your technical staff through educational best practices, Admin console skills & techniques, and key-setting configurations.

Learn more and register here!

Emerging Educators

ROE 53 is excited to offer this professional learning for the 2025-26 school year. We will provide monthly sessions on pertinent topics for those new to teaching. We have a meeting on September 11, 2025. Learn more and sign up here!

Technology Leaders

ROE 53 coordinates meetings with Technology Leaders in our region. We meet monthly through a partnership with ROE 53, ROE 48 & LTC to brainstorm, troubleshoot, and share information. We have been able to see technology innovation in action at schools in our area and can't wait for that to continue! Our first meeting is September 5, 2025. Learn more and register here!

Instructional Coaches

Instructional leaders meet monthly to discuss and share coaching strategies and approaches used in schools in our region. Our first meeting is September 18, 2025. Learn more and register here!

Illinois Elevating Special Educators (IESE)

IESE offers learning series on IEP development, behavior, student motivation & engagement, literacy & math strategies. Learn more and register for the monthly sessions here!

Learning Technology Center (LTC)

LTC offers a variety of ongoing networking opportunities centered on technology.

Computer Science & STEM Teachers

Library Media Specialists

Social Emotional Collaborative

The SEL Collaborative provides an opportunity for School Counselors, School Social Workers, Family Engagement Specialists and others in similar roles to learn and network with others across the region that support students' social, emotional and academic needs.

Register to attend here!

Join ROE 53 & Peoria ROE as we continue our deep dive into standards / skills based grading!

This networking cohort will meet in October & February.

On October 23, Olympia School District will share their journey with SBG.

Learn more & register here!

SAVE THE DATE

December 8-9, 2025

Oak Brook, IL

Early Bird Registration ends October 17!

Join ROE 53's Instructional Coach, Courtney, for this year's Writing Club. Together with fellow educators, we’ll have the opportunity to grow as both writers and teachers of writing. Whether you are an experienced writer or just beginning to explore your voice, this is a supportive space to create, learn, connect, and be inspired.

Click here for more information and the interest survey.

IT Workforce Accelerator Project:

This federally funded initiative, backed by a U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant, is specifically designed to supercharge our regional workforce. These are tangible, impactful programs delivered by the trusted academic institutions of Illinois Central College, Bradley University, and Eureka College.

Check out the Fall IT Workforce Accelerator Certificate programs!

Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC):

Help shape the future of Early Childhood Services by providing your input!

Co-Designer Recruitment

Interview Recruitment

Interest forms are open until Sept 12!

Contact Regional Office of Education #53

Serving Mason, Tazewell, & Woodford Counties

Regional Superintendent: Jeff Ekena

Assistant Regional Superintendent: Jon Smith

Professional Development Coordinator: Kelli Ballard

Instructional Coach: Courtney Prather

Email: office53@roe53.net
Website: https://www.roe53.net/
Location: 2400 N Main St suite C, East Peoria, IL, USA
Phone: (309) 477-2290
Facebook: facebook.com/mtwroe53
X: @mtwroe53

ROE 53 Spark Box ROE 53 Spark Box

Youth Mental Health First Aid 2025

Instructional Resources (click on graphic to access the resource) Instructional Resources (click on graphic to access the resource)

SEL - Creating Class Agreements & Goals

10 Read Alouds to Build Classroom Community

Inclusive Illinois Calendar

Upcoming Professional Development for Administrators Upcoming Professional Development for Administrators

ROE 53 Cohorts ROE 53 Cohorts

Emerging Educators

Technology Leaders

Instructional Coaches

Additional Ongoing Professional Learning Additional Ongoing Professional Learning

Illinois Elevating Special Educators (IESE)

Learning Technology Center (LTC)

Social Emotional Collaborative

Standards Based Grading Cohort Standards Based Grading Cohort

Raising Student Achievement Conference Raising Student Achievement Conference

ROE 53's Writing Club ROE 53's Writing Club

Community Resources & Professional Development Community Resources & Professional Development

Contact Regional Office of Education #53