ROE 53 Newsletter
April 2026
How will you SPARK a light in your classroom this year? Each quarter, the ROE 53 Instructional Coach, Courtney, will highlight a theme and share practical resources and evidence-based practices to spark student learning and engagement. Pick the ones that fit your classroom and give them a try!
Resilience Supportive Schools Illinois (RSSI)
Administrators can take the survey in IWAS and get your school's data! Join us next semester and use your data to create a plan for strengthening Social Emotional Learning, Trauma Responsiveness, Mental Health Supports or Cultural Awareness and Equity.
April 24 - Team Planning Day at Peoria ROE
Sign up here!
Kagan Cooperative Learning Training
Engage students with teacher-friendly strategies you can implement tomorrow!
Date: June 16 & 17, 2026
Location: Peoria ROE
The first 35 signed up will receive a reduced registration rate!
National Math & Science Initiative (NMSI)
Check out the free STEM resources aligned to various subject areas and grade levels from NMSI!
Heggerty Phonemic Awareness
Heggerty has 6 weeks of free lessons focused on phonemic awareness! These could be used for summer school or tutoring.
Center for Civic Education
Association of IL Rural & Small Schools Conference
April 17, 2026 in Decatur
(an option to attend virtually is available)
If you are a rural educator, administrator, or CTE director, this event is designed for you! The first conference will focus on student career success. The sessions will explore the changing technologies such as AI and innovations in agriculture; student career pathways and CTE programming in rural schools; and hear from students and teachers about what works in their own schools.
Emerging Educators
ROE 53 is excited to offer this professional learning series for the 2025-26 school year. We will provide monthly sessions on pertinent topics for those new to teaching. Our last meeting is April 30, 2026. Learn more and sign up here!
Technology Leaders
ROE 53 coordinates meetings for Technology Leaders in our region. We meet monthly through a partnership with ROE 53, ROE 48, & LTC to brainstorm, troubleshoot, and share information. We have been able to see technology innovation in action at schools and organizations in our area! Our next meeting is April 10, 2026. Learn more & register here!
Instructional Coaches
Instructional coaches from schools in our region meet monthly to discuss and share coaching strategies and approaches. Our next meeting is April 16, 2026. Register here!
Autism Conference
Sharing Knowledge, Inspiring Action
April 29, 2026 at Illinois State University
Hosted by the A+ Project, ATTA Project & Autism McLean
In-person & virtual attendance options are available
An optional pre-conference session is scheduled for April 28
Illinois Author Visit
New Date!
The Illinois Valley Reading Council is partnering with the Peoria Heights Public Library to offer a free event with children's author, Alice B. McGinty! Attendees will have a chance to win a signed copy of one of Alice's books! Bring your family or colleagues for a fun night on April 30! Learn more & RSVP here!
Professional Learning from IATE (IL Assoc of Teachers of English)
Check out the upcoming free virtual sessions for ELA teachers! Click on the link to access the registration.
April 18, 2026: Mini-Conference
April 25, 2026: Poetry in the Classroom
April 30, 2026: Rural Illinois English Educator Affinity Group Quarterly Meeting
Contact Regional Office of Education #53
Regional Superintendent: Jeff Ekena
Assistant Regional Superintendent: Jon Smith
Professional Development Coordinator: Kelli Ballard
Instructional 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