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

I'm excited to begin a new chapter in my career with the Regional Office of Education! I've spent nearly 20 years in education as a teacher and as a building-level administrator. No matter my role, I've always been most passionate about building relationships, supporting educators, and helping schools create meaningful experiences for students.

I'm especially excited for this opportunity to work with educators across the region, learn from others, and share the experiences I've gained throughout my career. I'm looking forward to meeting new people, building new relationships, and continuing to do what I love -- supporting educators and students.

Front Row: Super Cooper; Back Row: Nina Easto, Heather Siegel-Hickman, Erica Berger, and Alberta Grinston

💻 Technology Network for Directors, Coaches, and Coordinators: 9.10.26 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

😷 School Nurse Network: 9.10.26 1:00 p.m. - 2 p.m. (Virtual)

*Responding to Behavioral Health Emergencies in Schools

🛠️CTE Network: 9.10.26 4:30 - 6:00 (more details below)
📑 Professional Learning and Curriculum Leaders: 9.11.26 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
🏫 Special Education Leaders: 9.14.26 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

*Special guest: Lori Kehoe, SunCloud Health

🚸 Instructional Coaches: 9.16.26 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

*Special guest: Seth Brady, 2026 ISBE Teacher of the Year

🚌 Student Services and SEL Network: 9.22.26 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

💬 EL and Multilingual Educators: 9.22.26 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Virtual)

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.

Check out our developing Network Schedule here.

Presenter: Dr. Don Parker

Facilitated by Joy Kamp, Christine Zelaya, and Heather Siegel-Hickman

Support your new, curious, nervous, and excited teachers by signing them up for our New Teacher Network and Learning Series, which is designed to complement the work you are doing in your schools and districts. Our next session on September 16, 2026, will reinforce and build on the work we started this week, which includes building relationships and routines for classroom success.

Click here to register.

Facilitated by Tara Abello

Click here to register or contact Erica Berger (eberger@willroe.org) for special pricing and group registration.

Assessment Best Practices in Mathematics:

• Monday, Oct. 5: Using key ideas from NCTM's Principles to Action: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All and Susan O'Connell's Math in Practice: A Guide for Teachers this session will go over the most powerful ways to use assessment to address students' needs in mathematics. Classroom teachers and leaders will be able to implement more effective assessment practices to ensure response to students abilities and guide math instruction.

Numeracy Plan Series:

• Thursday, Oct. 15: Building Numeracy: Understanding the Six Components of the IL Comp. Numeracy Plan (primary audience: principals, curriculum directors, instructional coaches, other leaders)
• Thursday, Nov. 19: Teaching for Understanding: Using the Five Pedagogical Approaches in the IL Comp. Numeracy Plan (primary audience: classroom teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches, curriculum and content area leaders)
• Thursday, Jan. 21: Numeracy Plan K-5 Institute: Developing Numeracy from the Ground Up (primary audience: classroom teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches, curriculum and content area leaders)
• Thursday, Jan. 28: Numeracy Plan 6-8 Institute: Developing Mathematical Thinkers (primary audience: classroom teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches, curriculum and content area leaders)
• Thursday, Feb. 4: Numeracy Plan 9-12 Institute: Mathematics for Advanced Learning (primary audience: classroom teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches, curriculum and content area leaders)

Mathematics Network:

Learn and Network: The sessions will include targeted topics such as designing rich mathematical tasks, facilitating math discourse, the science of math, inquiry vs. direct instruction, and more as well as dedicated time to network with other educators and leaders.

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

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 Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier is a thoughtful reminder that helping does not always mean having the answer. Stanier explores the “Advice Monster” and its familiar tendencies: the urge to jump in, take control, and save others from challenges when things feel uncertain.

One idea that is resonating with me is the importance of committing to the process over the outcome. As the EISC grows, I know we need strong, intentional processes that make our work more replicable, consistent, and successful across our team. I have to slow down long enough to ask better questions, clarify steps, and build systems that allow each of us to support Will County educators.

This is a super-quick and helpful read for teachers, leaders, parents, or anyone trying to quiet their own Advice Monster. I hope to turn this one into an Administrator Academy. Stay tuned.

Be creative!

😊

Please click here.

Check out the "Share Table Toolkit for Schools -- your go-to for all things share tables!" with this link, and learn more about it from NPR or directly from the legislation.

1. Take the Resilience Supportive Schools Illinois Survey in IWAS

2. Log into RSSI to see your School Profile

3. Use the Learning Resource Hub and the ROE SEL Coaches for professional learning support and coaching to advance your work

Check out upcoming sessions offered in Will County and other area ROEs and ISCs to support SEL and Trauma-Informed Instruction and Leadership.

Districts are encouraged to review the Ensuring Success in School guidance, which outlines supports for students who are expectant parents, student parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence. Under the Ensuring Success in School law, school districts must work to eliminate barriers that may prevent these students from enrolling, attending school regularly, achieving academic success, and graduating.

We have wonderful partners in Will County to provide training for your faculty and staff. Reach out if you would like to explore opportunities.

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.

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 are available.

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.

Email Lori Kehoe (lkehoe@suncloudhealth.com) to register.

The series is broken into key areas of suicide prevention, allowing viewers to focus on the topics that matter most to them, including:

• Part One: Introduction - Why Parent Training Matters
• Part Two: Risk Factors, Warning Signs, & Protective Factors
• Part Three: How To Approach Your Child or Teen
• Part Four: Putting Your Knowledge & Skills to the Test
• Part Five: Levels of Care & Treatment Options

Click to watch

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