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

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 will 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, 2027 - Mini County Professional Learning Day (focus on educators of non-core content areas: Theatre, Art, Music, PE, Health, CTE and more)

The Education, Innovation, and Service Center can help schools and districts put their school improvement funds to effective use. Call or email Heather to talk about the services we provide (hsiegel-hickman@willroe.org * 815.630.3103).

AA 4259: Comprehensive In-School Suspension Reform: A Leadership Framework for Compliance, Equity, and Student Support

This session challenges traditional approaches to ISS and repositions it as an IDEA-compliant, restorative, and instructionally meaningful intervention. Grounded in equity-focused discipline research and restorative practices, participants will explore how intentional design can:

• Reduce exclusionary discipline
• Address racial disproportionality
• Ensure continued access to appropriate educational services for students with disabilities

Participants will analyze their current ISS structures through an equity and compliance lens and leave with a clear, actionable framework that integrates academic instruction, social-emotional learning, and restorative supports.

May 14, 2026 from 9am - 3pm (Lunch Provided)

Click here to register.

This Administrative Academy course equips school and district leaders with strategies to leverage physical education and wellness programs as catalysts for a positive school climate and culture. Grounded in whole-child education and social-emotional learning principles, participants will explore how quality physical education fosters inclusivity, student engagement, and overall well-being. Through data analysis, case studies, and collaborative planning, administrators will develop actionable leadership strategies that align physical education initiatives with school improvement goals and district-wide wellness priorities.

Meta-analyses by the Government Accountability Office show that professional development focused on collaboration and coaching leads to measurable results. Will County's free networks offer collaboration on curricular materials and pedagogical practices while also providing space for resource sharing, reflection, and new ideas.

🎒Special Education Leaders Network: May 11, 2026 from 8:30-10:30am

🏫Instructional Coaches: May 12, 2026 from 9:00-11:00am

🏸Physical and Health Education Curriculum Workshop: May 12, 2026 from 8:30 - 11:30am

💉School Nurse Network: May 13, 2026 11:30am - 12:45pm (Virtual)

We offer:

• Trained coaches to support schools and districts from planning through implementation of continuous improvement plans.
• 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 Plan.
• Much more. Reach out and let us meet you where you are and take you where you want to go.

Illinois Mandated Trainings, visit https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Il-Mandated-Trainings.pdf

ISBE Teacher and Principal/Assistant Principal Performance Evaluation Qualifications, visit https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Pref-Eval-Qualifications.pdf

Holly Madison's memoir, Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny, is fascinating. Regardless of one's thoughts about Playboy as a magazine and company or Hugh Heffner, getting a glimpse inside a world that very few experience is kind of fun. Punctuated with excerpts from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking-Glass, the memoir is thoughtfully structured and thankfully, devoid of salacious detail. I had no idea that there was a reality show made about Heffner and his "Girls Next Door," but I confess that I am now binging it on Amazon Prime. It's mind-numbing and absurd, but also funny in an eye rolling kind of way. I gave this 4/5 ⭐ on Goodreads, which means I recommend it.

Be Creative!

😊

Please click here.

Check out Dan Harris's new Substack and podcast about the science behind exercising your vagus nerve to improve your calm.

• Calm through Connection
• Calm through Hot and Cold
• Calm through Meditation

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.

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.

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 available.

Research consistently shows that suicide rates increase in the spring and early summer. This is why Elyssa’s Mission reminds you to increase your vigilance as springtime approaches each year. Visit our website and/or contact Nichelle Campbell-Miller at nichellecampbell-miller@elyssasmission.org to learn more.

Below are links to resources from Elyssa's Mission:

Education; Speak Up, Research, Get Involved

Day 1 Registration

Day 2 Registration

Day 3 Registration

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