ROE 53 Newsletter
May 2025
Strategy Spotlight
Each month, the ROE 53 Instructional Coach, Courtney, will provide a short description of an instructional strategy educators can use with their students. A quick video showing the strategy in action is included!
Check out this month's strategy, See, Think, Me, We.- Students look closely at a visual text to spark meaningful discussions and tie ideas to real-world connections. Learn more here!
SEL Professional Learning
REGISTRATION IS OPEN - SUMMER SEL PD
Join us this summer !! FREE SEL Professional Learning !!
June 2 - Brain-based Classrooms with Stephanie Brown - MORNING or AFTERNOON
June 3 - SEL Integration with Krista Leh (full day)
June 5 - Restorative Practices for Educators (full day)
June 16 - Harmony Academy - Everyday Practices OR Teaching Students Empathy
~~ CLICK HERE for the complete Area 3 SEL Hub SUMMER COURSE LIST ~~
Mindful Moment
Upcoming Professional Development
AA 4050: June 11-12, 2025 in Washington
This Academy is for individuals who need to complete retraining to evaluate principals and assistant principals. Learn more and register here!
AA 2001: July 24-25, 2025 (Day 1 in Washington, Day 2 virtual)
This Academy is for individuals who need to complete initial training to evaluate teachers.
Literacy Summit 2025
Join us for an entire day of fun and learning focused on literacy!
June 11, 2025 at ICC - Peoria Campus
Click on the graphic to learn more and sign up to attend here!
SUMMER PD - CHECK IT OUT!
ROE 53 Cohorts
Emerging Educators
Technology Leaders
Instructional Coaches
Teacher Licensure Renewal
Educators will receive a reminder email from ISBE when it is time to renew their license. To renew, educators can log into their ELIS account starting April 1 of the year their license expires. Check out the ISBE Renewal Page for step-by-step renewal instructions & tutorials.
If your license requires professional development hours and/or Administrator Academies hours and the renewal option is not available, make sure all hours are met and entered on your Professional Development tab and adjust your employment status accordingly, if needed.
Click How Do I Update My Employment Status for step-by-step instructions. You will not be able to renew until all PD/AA requirements are met.
Free Online Professional Learning
Learning and Resource Hub from the Center for Childhood Resilience
Click HERE to visit the REACH Learning and Resource Hub platform
- Comprehensive courses you can complete at your own pace
- Curated resources to support schools that are safe, supportive, relationship-based, culturally attuned, and able to promote positive mental health and wellness
- Free credits for Illinois Professional Education License (PEL) holders, licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors, and psychologists (IDFPR), and those holding certifications through Gateways (INCCRRA).
FREE Social Emotional Learning Resources
- FREE PD opportunities
- SEL resources, articles and videos
- FREE audiobooks for educators
Email Theresa Olsen to request additional resources or support
Community Resources & Professional Development
Birth to Five Illinois - Region 53 is wanting to highlight the experiences that local families have with Early Childhood Education and Care on their website. You can submit a story using this link. Interested in being apart of their new Family & Action Councils? Find out more and sign up here!
Bradley's 2025 STEM Education Conference: June 10, 2025
Call for Proposals ends May 15
Grand Canyon University is offering a free learning opportunity in May focused on De-Escalating Student Behaviors. Learn more and sign up here!
Contact Regional Office of Education #53
Regional Superintendent: Jeff Ekena
Assistant Regional Superintendent: Jon Smith
Professional Development Coordinator: Kelli Ballard
Social Emotional Learning Specialist: Theresa Olsen
Instructional Literacy 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