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

🏫 Special Education Leaders: 9.14.26 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

*Special guest: Lori Kehoe, SunCloud Health

🚸 Instructional Coaches: 9.16.26 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

*Special guest: Seth Brady, 2026 ISBE Teacher of the Year

🚌 Student Services and SEL Network: 9.22.26 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

💬 EL and Multilingual Educators: 9.22.26 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 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 developing Network Schedule here.

Facilitated by Joy Kamp, Christine Zelaya, and Heather Siegel-Hickman

Support your new, curious, nervous, and excited teachers by signing them up for our New Teacher Network and Learning Series, which is designed to complement the work you are doing in your schools and districts. Our next session on September 16, 2026, will reinforce and build on the work we started this week, which includes building relationships and routines for classroom success.

Click here to register.

Facilitated by John Randich and Will Count Coaches

Assessment Best Practices in Mathematics:

• Monday, Oct. 5: Using key ideas from NCTM's Principles to Action: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All and Susan O'Connell's Math in Practice: A Guide for Teachers, this session will go over the most powerful ways to use assessment to address students' needs in mathematics. Classroom teachers and leaders will be able to implement more effective assessment practices to ensure response to students abilities and guide math instruction.

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 Tara Abello

Facilitated by Valerie Pena-Hernandez

Facilitated by Dr. Brandi Kelly, LCSW

Presenter: Dr. Robin J. Vannoy

Presenters: Dr. Lawrence B. Friedman and Dr. Orrin T. Murray

Presenter: LaTisha Cole

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

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)

Check out Spotify for the podcast entitled Unsupervised Leadership! Hosted by Lemont-Bromberek School District 113A Superintendent, Dr. Courtney Orzel, and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Kate Koch, this podcast is great for anyone navigating school administration, offering raw, high-energy, and unfiltered conversations on what it truly takes to lead. Drawing on decades of educational experience, Dr. Orzel and Dr. Koch bypass dry corporate jargon to tackle real-world challenges. From culture-building and burnout to uplifting women in leadership, their infectious humor and sharp tactical wisdom, provides a new perspective. Listening to their podcast leaves you validated, recharged, and ready to lead with authentic confidence.

(Submitted by Dr. Erica Berger, Assistant Director of Professional Development)

Be creative!

😊

Please click here.

Adam J. Lewis Academy was founded in memory of Adam Lewis, who died in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Adam’s life was enhanced by hard work, perseverance, and an educational opportunity provided to him at a very young age.

It is the intention of the AJLA founders to give all children the same life-changing opportunity that Adam had, in a vibrant and exciting environment.

Read more here.

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.

Districts are encouraged to review the Ensuring Success in School guidance, which outlines supports for students who are expectant parents, student parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence. Under the Ensuring Success in School law, school districts must work to eliminate barriers that may prevent these students from enrolling, attending school regularly, achieving academic success, and graduating.

We have wonderful partners in Will County to provide training for your faculty and staff. Reach out if you would like to explore opportunities.

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.

The series is broken into key areas of suicide prevention, allowing viewers to focus on the topics that matter most to them, including:

• Part One: Introduction - Why Parent Training Matters
• Part Two: Risk Factors, Warning Signs, & Protective Factors
• Part Three: How To Approach Your Child or Teen
• Part Four: Putting Your Knowledge & Skills to the Test
• Part Five: Levels of Care & Treatment Options

Click to watch

September 16 | 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Register for When Climate Events Force Us Indoors: Why Indoor Air Quality is Crucial to the Climate Conversation
Presenter: Lisa Gebhart, American Lung Association

September 23 | 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Register for A Framework for Engaging Students in Environmental Science

Presenter: Allie Boman, Boman Communications, LLC =

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