Professional Development Updates
Education, Innovation, & Service Center
Will County Regional Office of Education
Dr. Lisa Caparelli-Ruff, Regional Superintendent
Education, Innovation, & Service Center
Heather Siegel-Hickman, Ed.D.
Director of Professional Development
hsiegel-hickman@willroe.org * 815.630.3103
From goal setting to planning and scheduling, we can help build your 2026-2027 Professional Learning Calendar. Contact Heather (hsiegel-hickman@willroe.org) to set up a time to meet and begin planning. We use your goals and data to help outline ongoing professional learning ideas for 2026-2027 and beyond.
Special Dates to Hold:
- October 26, 2026 - Paraprofessional and Support Staff Learning Day
- February 26, 2026 - Mini County Professional Learning Day (focus on educators of non-core content areas: Theatre, Art, Music, PE, Health, CTE and more)
I marked The Next Conversation as a book to read months ago, and it finally came off hold at my library last weekend. I listened to it while doing some spring cleaning.
The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More is a quick, straightforward read with simple reminders about how to have more productive conversations. While there is nothing groundbreaking, it offers a helpful nudge to listen a little more closely, say a little less, and stay focused on what actually matters - relationships. I know that we all know these things, but the more we hear them, the more likely we are to practice them. That is why I recommend this one.
Plus, there is a bonus PDF chapter I will share below: "How to Handle Narcissists and Gaslighters."
