ROE 53 Newsletter

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

October 21, 2025

December 4, 2025

SEL - 50 Questions to Ask MS & HS

Free slides with unique questions to ask Middle School & High School students

Classroom Design Tips

Facing History & Ourselves describes 6 tips to set up your classroom to positively impact student behavior & deepen learning.

Media Literacy Videos

PBS has created a collection of videos & teacher tips to help students in Grades 3-5 sharpen their media literacy skills & explore the ups and downs of using technology.

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!

AA 3700: Health Life Safety Administrator Academy: October 28, 2025 in East Peoria

Participants will develop strategies to reduce your district's liability, engage stakeholders, learn the financial do’s and don’ts, as well as undertake a deep dive into your current 10 year HLS surveys and IWAS.

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 October 2, 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 next meeting is October 3, 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 next meeting is October 16, 2025. Learn more & sign up here!

ISBE Pearson Roadshow for IAR & ISA

The IL performance level descriptors were recently updated. Join ISBE & Pearson for an interactive workshop where they will explain why these updates were made & explore what they mean for bridging assessment results to the classroom. Learn about how PLDs can be used as a powerful tool for supporting the use of assessment data to better inform teaching & learning.

November 17, 2025 in Peoria
(other locations throughout the state to choose from)

Learn more & register to attend 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!

IL MTSS Network

The IL-MTSS Network provides ongoing professional learning through Learning Networks for teachers, interventionists, counselors, and more! Learn more here!

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.

Join Peoria ROE, IVRC, & Peoria Heights Library on Oct 17 for a session on the latest trends in children's literature! Register here!

Join IL Valley Reading Council on Oct 23 for a fun night of painting & ideas to take back to your classroom! Register here!

Join Northwestern for a series of virtual sessions focused on Teaching With & About Native Peoples. Starts Oct 20! Register here!

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 - 50 Questions to Ask MS & HS

Classroom Design Tips

Media Literacy Videos

Upcoming Professional Development for Administrators Upcoming Professional Development for Administrators

ROE 53 Cohorts ROE 53 Cohorts

Emerging Educators

Technology Leaders

Instructional Coaches

ISBE Pearson Roadshow for IAR & ISA

Additional Ongoing Professional Learning Additional Ongoing Professional Learning

Illinois Elevating Special Educators (IESE)

IL MTSS Network

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