ROE 53 Newsletter
December 2025
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 resources and strategies to spark student learning and engagement. Pick the ones that fit your classroom and give them a try!
Suicide Prevention Training with Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
Date: December 3, 2025
Location: Peoria ROE Community Room, Peoria
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Cost: Free
Play Therapy 101
Date: January 12, 2026
Location: ROE 33, Galesburg
Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: $75
Resilience Supportive Schools Illinois (RSSI)
Administrators can take the survey in IWAS and get your school's data! Join us next semester and use your data to create a plan for strengthening Social Emotional Learning, Trauma Responsiveness, Mental Health Supports or Cultural Awareness and Equity.
January 20th - Self-Assessment and Data Day
April 2nd and April 24 - Team Planning Day
All trainings at Peoria ROE
PREPaRE Training for School Crisis Team Members
Date: March 2 - 3, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Location: TBD
Cost: $150
PREPaRE 2 is a 2-day workshop that trains school-based mental health professionals and crisis intervention team members to provide mental health crisis interventions following a school crisis event.
SEL - Engagement Strategies
Check out these quick & easy to use activities from CASEL that offer opportunities for students to grasp content & connect to their learning!
AI Usage
Check out this stoplight approach to provide clarity on AI use by students!
School of Practice Podcast
This podcast series from Edutopia brings teachers ready-to-use strategies to enhance teaching. The podcasts are less than 20 min.
Preparing Students for the 2026 ACT
January 16, 2026 in Peoria
Facilitated by Dr. Cathy Weber from Education Lane
This professional development will outline essential skills students need to ensure success on the ACT suite of assessments to be utilized Spring 2026. English Language Arts, Mathematics, and science staff will benefit from a deeper understanding about how the ACT suite of assessments can inform instruction as well as offer data about potential academic pathways for students.
Emerging Educators
ROE 53 is excited to offer this professional learning series for the 2025-26 school year. We will provide monthly sessions on pertinent topics for those new to teaching. Our next meeting is January 8, 2026. Learn more and sign up here!
Technology Leaders
ROE 53 coordinates meetings for 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 and organizations in our area! Our next meeting is December 5, 2025. Learn more & register here!
Instructional Coaches
Instructional coaches from schools in our region meet monthly to discuss and share coaching strategies and approaches. Our next meeting is January 15, 2026. Learn more & 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!
ISBE Attendance Cohort
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. It's not too late to join! The next meeting is January 14, 2026.
Contact Regional Office of Education #53
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