Professional Development Updates

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

By the end of this session, Understanding ISBE's New Accountability System and Building Your School/District Profile, participants will have an understanding of the accountability system and profiles of performance and clarity on how their school/district's profile was developed. Participants will also discuss sharing the school/district's story and identifying priority areas for improvement decisions. *Participants are also encouraged to sign up for the Continuous Improvement and Excellence sessions for a deeper look at their profile. Click HERE to register.

The content of the ACT Instructional Mastery Math course provides candidates with the information necessary to provide effective ACT Math test preparation, identify and recommend test-taking strategies, and understand test structure and content. This course is focused on using a variety of techniques—applicable to different types and levels of student— to solve ACT math problems.

Includes:

• Structure of the Math ACT Test
• Initial Student Assessment
• Skills, vocab, symbols, formulas, and real-life settings on the Math ACT
• Using a Calculator
• Practicing with Authentic Math ACT Tests
• Tips and Memorizations

Why Take It?

• Comprehensive review of math coaching techniques
• Tools for teaching students of all levels
• Understand how each aspect of ACT math can be integrated into the general math curriculum
• Analyze Math test items and discern student misconceptions

The ACT Instructional Mastery English course provides candidates with the information necessary to facilitate effective preparation for the ACT English test, identify and recommend test-preparation and test-taking strategies, and understand test structure and content.

Includes:

• English content from Career and College Readiness Standards (CCRS).
• Item Analysis: What skills does each item measure?
• Coaching skills and remediation for improving
• English performance

Why Take It?

• Know what ACT English is really looking for
• What is typically tested
• What is typically not tested
• Learn how to thoroughly analyze student practice tests
• Learn how to replace fear of the unknown with practical question-by-question techniques

Numeracy Plan Series:

• Thursday, Oct. 15: Building Numeracy: Understanding the Six Components of the IL Comp. Numeracy Plan (primary audience: principals, curriculum directors, instructional coaches, other leaders)
• Thursday, Nov. 19: Teaching for Understanding: Using the Five Pedagogical Approaches in the IL Comp. Numeracy Plan (primary audience: classroom teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches, curriculum and content area leaders)
• Thursday, Jan. 21: Numeracy Plan K-5 Institute: Developing Numeracy from the Ground Up (primary audience: classroom teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches, curriculum and content area leaders)
• Thursday, Jan. 28: Numeracy Plan 6-8 Institute: Developing Mathematical Thinkers (primary audience: classroom teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches, curriculum and content area leaders)
• Thursday, Feb. 4: Numeracy Plan 9-12 Institute: Mathematics for Advanced Learning (primary audience: classroom teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches, curriculum and content area leaders)

Mathematics Network:

Learn and Network: The sessions will include targeted topics such as designing rich mathematical tasks, facilitating math discourse, the science of math, inquiry vs. direct instruction, and more as well as dedicated time to network with other educators and leaders.

Facilitated by Valerie Pena-Hernandez

Facilitated by Dr. Brandi Kelly, LCSW

Presenter: LaTisha Cole

Following a dynamic keynote from Brittany Richmond, paraprofessionals and school support staff will choose two breakouts from a series of sessions designed to be applied immediately. Topics include: Para-Power: Digital Hacks for Classroom Superheroes, Building Education & Community, Streamline Workflows & Master the Digital Desk, and Classroom Management & Student Relationships for Paraprofessionals and Student Support Staff.

Cost is $50 per attendee. Lunch is included.

Click here to register or contact Erica Berger (eberger@willroe.org) for special pricing and group registration.

Facilitator: Dr. Don Parker

Facilitator: Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith

😇 Student Services Network (Counseling, Social Work, and SEL Professionals) * October 13, 2026 * 7:30 a.m.

🚌 Instructional Coaches * October 21, 2026 * 9:00 a.m.

🏫 Special Education Leaders * November 9, 2026 * 8:00 a.m.

🎒 EL and Multilingual Network * November 10, 2026 * 1:00 p.m. VIRTUAL

Research reviewed by the Government Accountability Office shows that professional development centered on collaboration and coaching leads to measurable results. Will County’s networks bring together educators and educational leaders from elementary, middle, and high schools to problem-solve, share strategies, strengthen their practice, and leave with ideas they can use immediately.

Check out our full network schedule here.

We offer:

• Trained coaches to support schools and districts from planning through implementation of continuous improvement cycles.
• An extensive network of consultants and coaches to support the professional learning that administrators, teachers, and other school staff want and need.
• Support for implementing the IL Comprehensive Literacy and Numeracy Plans.
• Much more. Reach out and let us meet you where you are and take you where you want to go.

Illinois Mandated Trainings - click here

ISBE Teacher and Principal/Assistant Principal Performance Evaluation Qualifications - click here

Special Dates to Hold:

• October 26, 2026 - Paraprofessional and Support Staff Learning Day
• February 26, 2027 - Beyond the Core Professional Learning Day (focuses on educators of non-core content areas: Theatre, Art, Music, PE, Health, CTE and more)

Everyone Is Lying to You was such a fun, twisty read. Every time I thought I understood where the story was headed, it took another turn, and I thoroughly enjoyed being wrong. Although its main character is a tradwife influencer, this is nothing like Yesteryear. It is sharp, unsettling, and entertaining, with plenty to say about the versions of ourselves we create for other people and the stories we are willing to believe.

Recommend a Book, Podcast, TV Series...

Be creative!

😊

Please click here.

The Bitter Lesson video in Ethan Mollick's new substack post is worth a watch (3 minutes), as is his discussion of Dots and Muse. I am a little late to the OpenClaw idea, and still haven't used it. However, it is something I am thinking about and thought I would share.

1. Take the Resilience Supportive Schools Illinois Survey in IWAS

2. Log into RSSI to see your School Profile

3. Use the Learning Resource Hub and the ROE SEL Coaches for professional learning support and coaching to advance your work

Check out upcoming sessions offered in Will County and other area ROEs and ISCs to support SEL and Trauma-Informed Instruction and Leadership.

The Learning Resource Hub is a free tool with online classes that provide PD Hours. Professionals can also "obtain continuing education hours for the following Illinois-licensed professions: social workers, professional counselors, and psychologists." Use this link to register and learn more.

Check out upcoming events on topics like Teen Relationships in the Social Media Era and The Science of Wonder and Sensory Play to Help Kids Thrive. PD Hours and Continuing Education Units are available.

SunCloud Health offers free professional development on a variety of youth mental health topics. Check out their offerings on their website or call Heather to arrange customized PD through SunCloud for your schools and districts.

Steger School District 194 invites area educators and school leaders to join us for our Leader in Me Leadership Day on October 15 from 8:30–11:00 AM. Leader in Me is a whole-school approach that helps schools build a culture of leadership by empowering students, developing essential life skills, and creating opportunities for every student to lead.

During Leadership Day, guests will experience Leader in Me firsthand through school tours, classroom visits, student panels, and student-led leadership experiences across our three schools. Come see what student leadership looks like in action and take ideas back to your own school or district!

RSVP is required. Please use the QR code on the flyer to register.

October 19 | 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Register for: Exploring Nature's Timing and Climate Change: Phenology
Presenter: Lorna Shuman, Illinois Department of Natural Resources

October 28 | 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Register for Solutions to Climate Change, From Mitigation to Adaptation
Presenter: Ted Shieh, Illinois Clinicians for Climate Action

These learning opportunities are open to educators across grade levels and content areas interested in strengthening their understanding of climate science and environmental literacy.

Additional information about the Climate Education Strand and other science professional learning opportunities can be found on the ISBE Science Standards webpage.

images from freepik.com, giphy.com, and pexels.com