Professional Development Updates
Education, Innovation, & Service Center
Will County Regional Office of Education
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 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)
The Power of Networks
These are some of our networks:
- EL and Multilingual Network
- Instructional Coaching Network
- Physical Education and Health Network
- Professional Development and Curriculum Network
- School Health (RNs and CSNs) Network
- Special Education Leaders Network
- Student Services Network
- Technology Network
Why Networking Matters:
Meta-analyses by the Government Accountability Office show that professional development focused on collaboration and coaching leads to measurable results. Will County's networks offer collaboration on curricular materials and pedagogical practices while also providing space for resource sharing, reflection, and new ideas.
A #1 New York Times bestseller with a 4.43/5 Goodreads rating from more than 45,000 readers, Judge Stone clearly resonates with a wide audience. It certainly did with me. The book isn't the most nuanced exploration of race or justice, but I found myself fully invested in the characters and their journeys. More than anything, it reminded me that listening to one another's stories matters. Through those stories, we gain a deeper understanding of experiences that may be very different from our own. For me, that human connection is what makes me want more stories about Judge Stone.
