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

The Will County ROE is so grateful to Crete-Monee High School for hosting our backpack event and helping us kick off the school year with such a wonderful community gathering!

A huge THANK YOU to the Will County Sheriff’s Department for bringing their rescue vehicle and giving students and families the opportunity to explore it up close! 🚓👮

We’re also incredibly thankful for all of our amazing community partners who joined us to connect families with valuable local resources, services, and supports.❤️🤝

It truly takes a community to support our students, and we are so grateful for everyone who helped make this event a success! Together, we’re making a difference! 🌟

Our next event is August 6, 2026, from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Brooks Middle School (350 Blair Lane, Bolingbrook). *While supplies last. * Parent must accompany child.

The first years in education can be both rewarding and challenging. The New Teacher Network & Learning Series is designed to enhance the mentoring and support teachers receive within their schools by connecting them with fellow early career educators from across the area.

Through seven interactive sessions, participants will explore practical strategies, engage in meaningful professional learning, and build relationships with peers in a safe, non-evaluative environment. Together, we will learn, reflect, problem-solve, and celebrate successes while developing the confidence, skills, and professional network needed to thrive in education.

AA 3908

Don't let the title of this book fool you. The lessons in Generation Z Unfiltered apply to all generations, and this academy lets you work at your own pace and on your own time.

Reflect on leadership in the context of Generation Z and develop an action plan to lead at the school or district level for all generations. This Administrator Academy uses a book study approach to frame reflection, discussions, and planning. Participants will:

• Identify and evaluate the effect of generational differences on leadership.
• Apply the model PROVE (Problem, Relationships, Ownership, Visuals, and Experience) to build coaching capacity.
• Create an action plan to address working with all generations as a leader.

Click here to register.

Why Networking Matters:

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.

New for the 2026-2027 school year: Mathematics Network for teachers, coaches, and leaders!

Check out our developing Network Schedule here.

💵

New in SY '27, there will be a $15 registration fee to reserve your spot for a network meeting. The fee will be refunded upon attendance. Registrants who do not attend or cancel in advance will forfeit the fee.

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

Conversation between Heather and Reader Friend:

Heather: I am reading Yesteryear. It's amazing. Highly recommend.

Friend: lol. I hated it.

Heather: Oh no. I'm fascinated and amused by it.

Friend: I thought it was the worst trash I've ever read 😁

Heather: Omg. 🙃

Friend: You'll have to tell me why you like it.

And this is where I’ve been stuck because I don’t quite know how to explain why I love Yesteryear. I just love everything about this book. In fact, I'm already planning to reread it.

It takes itself seriously, but it also doesn’t. It is a reflection of our society, but it also isn’t. It is absurd and clever and uncomfortable and deeply entertaining for me. The repetition and structure are amazing. “Mamma, mamma, mamma . . .”

It highlights the fragile egos of the men in the story, the strength of its women, and how exhausting it can all be.

Two other friends who haven’t read it told me they were worried it would enrage them, but it didn’t enrage me at all. In fact, until they said that, it hadn’t even occurred to me that the book might be considered controversial or enraging. I was too fascinated and amused by what it was doing and how it was doing it.

Apparently, Yesteryear is either amazing or the worst trash you’ve ever read. I’m firmly in the “amazing” camp. If you've read it, I'd love to hear what you think.

Be Creative!

😊

Please click here.

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.

In this Master of Arts in Educational Administration degree program, educators obtain the deep understanding needed to lead public and non-public schools to success through preparation in organizational, community, and student-focused leadership.

• Earn the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Educational Administration in six semesters
• Intensive field experiences and internships for real-world practice
• Cohort model to build relationships with future school leaders
• Flexible options for face-to-face and online coursework
• Engage with our experienced, diverse faculty

APPLY NOW

Classes begin August 31, 2026. Attend an information session above to receive a free code to waive the application fee. Visit https://apply.govst.edu/apply/ now and begin your application!

For More Information:

Christopher A. Dignam, Ed.D.

Educational Administration Coordinator

Assistant Professor of Education
cdignam@govst.edu

Program website: https://www.govst.edu/principalleadership/

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)

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