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McHenry County ROE Excellence in Education 2026
Thursday, June 18
 

8:45am CDT

Keynote
Thursday June 18, 2026 8:45am - 9:50am CDT
Auditorium
AI cannot replace teachers or the human elements of learning, but it can help redesign classroom workflows so students take a more active role in thinking, decision-making, and sense-making. In this keynote, Dr. Catlin Tucker explores how AI can support a shift toward student-led learning by reducing the burden of information transfer and freeing teachers to focus on what humans do best: building...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Catlin Tucker
Thursday June 18, 2026 8:45am - 9:50am CDT
Auditorium
  Keynote

9:00am CDT

Classroom Management & Trauma
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 412
A nationally recognized specialist in classroom management and youth character development, Jim Kestner will present practical, hands-on strategies to address unique challenges for building bridges that empower your students to overcome barriers from traumatic environments and circumstances to find empathy, acceptance, predictability, and hope through their time in your class. Specifically, the...
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Speakers
JK

Jim Kestner

Founder, Excellence in Youth

Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 412
  Behavior & Management

9:00am CDT

Functions of Behavior and Replacement Strategies
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 332
During this session we will be looking at the four functions of behavior. We will discuss the importance of finding the correct function of a behavior to determine the appropriate replacement behavior. We will share some ideas and have discussions on challenging behaviors across all school settings.
Speakers
ND

Nicki Dindia

Behavior Coach, Crystal Lake School District 47


Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 332
  Behavior & Management

9:00am CDT

Going Beyond Rewards and Punishments
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 317
This training will provide educators with techniques to use in the classroom. There will be s focus on using restorative practices and positive supports in classroom management. This will include giving students the identify and address problem behaviors themselves and help create a collaborative and safe class environment for all students.
Speakers
avatar for Helena Hernquist

Helena Hernquist

Principal/Director, Harvard District 50/Chancelight
Helena is an ISBE-licensed special education teacher, principal, and board-certified behavior analyst.  She provides families and stakeholders with exceptional ABA and special education expertise, offering more than a decade of public and private education experience.  She has worked... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 317
  Behavior & Management

9:00am CDT

How to Build Stronger Relationships with Students - Advice from 8 Veteran Teachers
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 362
This presentation will give teachers more quick strategies to build stronger relationships with students and increase academic achievement in their classrooms. CLICK HERE to access presentation! 
Speakers
avatar for Kirsten Sanchez

Kirsten Sanchez

Business Education Teacher, District 158


Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 362
  Behavior & Management

9:00am CDT

Leading through Social Media and the Youth Mental Health Crisis
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 311
Social media has reshaped school culture in ways far beyond phones in classrooms. From group chats and gaming platforms to video sharing and messaging apps, online interactions now drive peer relationships, conflict, mistrust, and administrative burden that spill into schools every day. In response, many systems have defaulted to safety-driven, restrictive measures such as phone bans and...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Jane Kim

Jane Kim

703-909-8029, KindEd
Founder and CEO
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 311
  Behavior & Management

9:00am CDT

Building Innovators Through Choice-Based Enrichment
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 403
The key to building tomorrow’s innovators might not be more structure, but more choice! This session will explore how giving students the freedom to pursue their interests can ignite creativity, deepen engagement, and foster real-world problem-solving skills. When learners have voice and choice, they don’t just participate; they take ownership, experiment, and innovate. Join this session to...
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Speakers
avatar for Stacy Heiliger

Stacy Heiliger

Learning Media Center Director, McHenry District 15
I nerd out about dual language teaching, librarianship, and relationship-building. Besides "teacher things," I love cross stitching snarky things, color guard and marching band, and music (singing, playing, listening, etc).
avatar for Lindsay Hardy

Lindsay Hardy

STEAM Teacher, District 15
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 403
  Curriuclum & Instruction

9:00am CDT

Cross-Curriculur Book Clubs
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 409
Literacy is not just an ELA responsibility—it is the foundation of learning in every classroom. In this engaging and practical session, educators will explore how the structure of book clubs can be adapted across content areas to deepen comprehension, critical thinking, and student discourse.We will share ready-to-use strategies, discussion protocols, accountability structures, and assessment...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Caitlyn Burton

Caitlyn Burton

7th Grade Social Studies Teacher, District 15
avatar for Jessica Brown

Jessica Brown

Middle School Teacher, District 15
avatar for Tina Stirsman

Tina Stirsman

Social Studies Teacher, District 15
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 409
  Curriuclum & Instruction

9:00am CDT

CTE Reimagined: Growing Micro Internships from Zero to 300 Students
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 319
Are you ready to revolutionize career readiness in your district? Learn how 25% of our students graduate with real-world micro internship experience through a program that’s flexible, inclusive, and built to scale. In this session, discover how our innovative micro internship program engages students across CTE career clusters, supports state pathway endorsements by fulfilling work-based...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Veronica Gutzmer

Veronica Gutzmer

Career Experience Coordinator, School District 155
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 319
  Curriuclum & Instruction

9:00am CDT

Gamification & Student Motivation
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 287
This session will begin with an overview of gamification. Attendees will then explore key research on student motivation. The presentation will feature exemplar units that have successfully implemented gamification across various content areas, including psychology, US History, and World History. The workshop will be highly interactive, allowing participants to engage in a gamified activity and...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Cori Schwarzrock

Cori Schwarzrock

Division Leader / Dual Credit Instruction, District 155
I’m committed to meeting students where they are—academically, emotionally, and developmentally. I use empirically supported strategies to foster meaningful learning and support student well-being, blending research with real-world classroom application.

My work centers around blended learning and positive psychology, two powerful frameworks that inform my teaching and leadership. I’ve presented on these topics at local and national conferences, helping other educators implement research-based strategies in their own classrooms... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 287
  Curriuclum & Instruction

9:00am CDT

Ignite Engagement: Shifting Students from Consumers to Creators with EduProtocols
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 375
Shift your middle school classroom from passive consumption to dynamic creation using the power of EduProtocols! This workshop introduces a framework of highly engaging, structured lesson routines designed to empower students as critical thinkers and content creators. Participants will explore protocols like Iron Chef, which drives collaborative, evidence-based textual analysis, and Thin Slides,...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Rebecca Condon

Rebecca Condon

Instructional Coach, North Shore School District 112
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 375
  Curriuclum & Instruction

9:00am CDT

Local Challenges, Global Thinking: Modeling Illinois Environmental Systems with LEGO® Education Science
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 413
In this hands-on session, educators will explore how LEGO® Education Science can be used to help Illinois students model, investigate, and redesign solutions to real-world environmental challenges. Participants will engage in collaborative design tasks focused on local systems such as climate patterns, land management, and human impact on the environment, while strengthening students’ skills in...
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Speakers
avatar for Kristen Bidinger

Kristen Bidinger

Account Manager, LEGO Education
Welcome to LEGO® Education! There is magic when students are able to engage in impactful, hands-on experiences and I am here to support you and your student with that mission. Whether it is Early Learning, STEAM or Computer Science, we build student skills through the world of p... Read More →
avatar for Tracey Dingle

Tracey Dingle

Key Account Manager, LEGO Education

Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 413
  Curriuclum & Instruction

9:00am CDT

Small Group Instruction in Secondary Math Classrooms
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 334
Ideas on how to incorporate small group instruction in a secondary math classroom. Ideas on what to cover in small group, how to decide which students to pull, what should the remainder of the class be doing.
Speakers
avatar for Joanna Kline

Joanna Kline

Middle school teacher / Math coach, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 334
  Curriuclum & Instruction

9:00am CDT

Stressed to Death
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 301
Educators are facing the highest levels of stress and burnout in decades, often being forced to address and prioritize the health and well-being of others over their own. Stressed-out educators are less productive, struggle with absenteeism, and have a much higher risk for illness and major medical problems. In this session, learn about the negative impacts of stress on the body from a recovering...
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Speakers
avatar for Heather Baker

Heather Baker

Principal, Winnebago 323
On February 1st, 2018, Heather died on the floor at work after suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest at the age of 28.

Working long hours each day trying to make a name for herself in the world of education, Heather never knew that you could literally become stressed to death.

Since... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 301
  Mental Health & Well-being

9:00am CDT

TRS Express! - Tier One Information
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 363
We will talk about what you can expect from TRS and how you might ensure you will have enough money to enjoy the retirement you have earned. The considerations are different for those that are early in career compared to those that plan to retire in the next few years. This seminar will help you determine where you fit in and provide concepts for you to think about … including an up-to-date...
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Speakers
avatar for Sandie Benhart

Sandie Benhart

Outreach Coordinator, Teachers Retirement System
I work with TRS members, Regional Offices of Education, District Business Managers and the IRTA/IEA organizations to help our membership understand their retirement or disability benefits as well as to explain survivor benefits for loved ones. This incorporates both Tier I and Tier... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 363
  Other

9:00am CDT

Enhancing Learning Through Supporting Executive Functioning: A Starting Point for Educators
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 303
In this engaging one-hour presentation, participants will gain a clear understanding of executive functioning—its definition, role, and impact on student success in the classroom. We will explore real-world examples of how executive functioning challenges may manifest in academic settings, such as difficulties with organization, time management, and self-regulation. Additionally, attendees will...
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Speakers
avatar for Amy Weltin

Amy Weltin

Region 2 Specialist, Illinois Specific Learning Disability Support Project
Amy has been with the SLD Support Project since July of 2024. She is a Region 2 Specialist serving the educators and parents in the counties around the Chicagoland area. She loves to develop and deliver PD to support educators and parents that work with students with learning disabilities... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 303
  Special Education

9:00am CDT

Special Education: Harnessing the Power of AI to Write Legally Defensible IEPs
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 309
This topic will synthesize the work of the IEPq project and distill that work into a transmissable and shareable training paired with the most current tech (AI) supports to facilitate the work of the LBSI and related service provider across settings and grade levels as they create legally defensible and sound IEP documents.
Speakers
avatar for Joan Bowers

Joan Bowers

Special Education Curriculum Facilitator, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 309
  Special Education

9:00am CDT

Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 406
SDI—Specially Designed Instruction—is the core of special education. It is what legally and practically separates general education support from special education services.
Speakers
CB

Chrissy Brown

Regional Special Education Specialist, IESE
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 406
  Special Education

9:00am CDT

AI as Your Creative Thought Partner: Storytelling in Google Workspace
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 367
Transform how students demonstrate their learning by turning standard Google tools into a vibrant creative studio. In this session, we will use Google Gemini as a collaborative thought partner to help students move from initial ideas to structured project plans. Participants will then learn to bridge those brainstorms into visual and cinematic projects using the specialized features of Google...
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Speakers
avatar for Ben Sondegroth

Ben Sondegroth

Lead Regional EdTech Coordinator, LTC Illinois
Ben began his career as a history teacher in Morrison, IL, where he initiated and coordinated the district’s iPad and Chromebook integration. During this time, he developed a passion for sharing exciting new ways to leverage technology in education with other teachers.That passion... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 367
  Technology

9:00am CDT

Diffit for Teachers
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 369
Using AI powered differentiation for teachers to meet student needs and improve teacher productivity.
Speakers
avatar for Katie Brown

Katie Brown

Literacy Specialist/Learning Coach, District 156
Hi! I’m Katie, a Reading Interventionist and Learning/Literacy Coach at McHenry High School in Illinois. I have 16 years of teaching experience and began my career with a degree in Special Education. I later earned my Master’s in Reading and became a Reading Specialist. In my... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 369
  Technology

9:00am CDT

How to Make Digital Materials Accessible for ALL Students
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 404
With the rapid shift to digital learning, ensuring every student can access your materials is more important than ever. In this session, you’ll explore simple, high-impact accessibility practices that fit naturally into your workflow. Expect to leave with ready-to-use tools that benefit all learners—not just those with identified needs.
Speakers
avatar for Debra (Debi) Ryan

Debra (Debi) Ryan

Augmentative and Alternative Facilitator; Speech Pathologist, District 158, Huntley


avatar for Erin Wagner

Erin Wagner

Assistive Technology Facilitator, Huntley District 158
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 404
  Technology

9:00am CDT

Technology in the Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 283
Classroomscreen is a free, online digital whiteboard tool for teachers, offering customizable widgets like timers, random name pickers, traffic lights, and drawing tools to manage activities, set expectations, and boost student engagement in both physical and virtual classrooms. It helps streamline routines and add visual elements like instructions, polls, and media to a central display, making...
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Speakers
avatar for Kim Kosmen

Kim Kosmen

Reading Specialist, McHenry District 15
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 283
  Technology

10:00am CDT

Classroom Management
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 340
This presentation is a collaborative opportunity to share best practices and the A (attitude), B (behavior), and C's (community/culture) of classroom management. Tips, tools, and tricks to help navigate challenging classroom dynamics will be shared.
Speakers
avatar for Shannon Mooney

Shannon Mooney

8th Grade Science & Social Studies Teacher, District 47
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 340
  Behavior & Management

10:00am CDT

Classroom Management for Beginning Teachers
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 412
Jim Kestner will present his nationally recognized program in a high-energy session dedicated to helping teachers in their early career years address a wide range of classroom management issues. Teachers who attend will find strategies that lead students to make good choices, replacing controlling behaviors with strategies that lead students to monitor and take responsibility for their own...
See More →
Speakers
JK

Jim Kestner

Founder, Excellence in Youth

Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 412
  Behavior & Management

10:00am CDT

Functions of Behavior and Replacement Strategies
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 332
During this session we will be looking at the four functions of behavior. We will discuss the importance of finding the correct function of a behavior to determine the appropriate replacement behavior. We will share some ideas and have discussions on challenging behaviors across all school settings.
Speakers
ND

Nicki Dindia

Behavior Coach, Crystal Lake School District 47


Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 332
  Behavior & Management

10:00am CDT

Going Beyond Rewards and Punishments
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 317
This training will provide educators with techniques to use in the classroom. There will be s focus on using restorative practices and positive supports in classroom management. This will include giving students the identify and address problem behaviors themselves and help create a collaborative and safe class environment for all students.
Speakers
avatar for Helena Hernquist

Helena Hernquist

Principal/Director, Harvard District 50/Chancelight
Helena is an ISBE-licensed special education teacher, principal, and board-certified behavior analyst.  She provides families and stakeholders with exceptional ABA and special education expertise, offering more than a decade of public and private education experience.  She has worked... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 317
  Behavior & Management

10:00am CDT

Leading through Social Media and the Youth Mental Health Crisis
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 311
Social media has reshaped school culture in ways far beyond phones in classrooms. From group chats and gaming platforms to video sharing and messaging apps, online interactions now drive peer relationships, conflict, mistrust, and administrative burden that spill into schools every day. In response, many systems have defaulted to safety-driven, restrictive measures such as phone bans and...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Jane Kim

Jane Kim

703-909-8029, KindEd
Founder and CEO
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 311
  Behavior & Management

10:00am CDT

Verbal De-Escalation
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 338
Verbal De-escalation and its role in Tier 1 (universal) supports.  Identify early signs of distress and escalation in students.  Apply 5 evidence based strategies in daily techniques.  Practice techniques.
Speakers
KZ

Kristin Ziemba

Behavior Coach, Crystal Lake School District 47
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 338
  Behavior & Management

10:00am CDT

Building Computational Thinking and AI Literacy through Hands‑on Learning with LEGO® Education
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 413
In this interactive session invites, we will explore how LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI can help Illinois students understand how automated systems make decisions—and why those decisions matter. Through hands-on modeling and guided discussions, participants will examine foundational concepts such as computational thinking, data inputs, and algorithmic behavior, while also addressing...
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Speakers
avatar for Kristen Bidinger

Kristen Bidinger

Account Manager, LEGO Education
Welcome to LEGO® Education! There is magic when students are able to engage in impactful, hands-on experiences and I am here to support you and your student with that mission. Whether it is Early Learning, STEAM or Computer Science, we build student skills through the world of p... Read More →
avatar for Tracey Dingle

Tracey Dingle

Key Account Manager, LEGO Education

Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 413
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

Cross-Curriculur Book Clubs
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 409
Literacy is not just an ELA responsibility—it is the foundation of learning in every classroom. In this engaging and practical session, educators will explore how the structure of book clubs can be adapted across content areas to deepen comprehension, critical thinking, and student discourse.We will share ready-to-use strategies, discussion protocols, accountability structures, and assessment...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Caitlyn Burton

Caitlyn Burton

7th Grade Social Studies Teacher, District 15
avatar for Jessica Brown

Jessica Brown

Middle School Teacher, District 15
avatar for Tina Stirsman

Tina Stirsman

Social Studies Teacher, District 15
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 409
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

CTE Reimagined: Growing Micro Internships from Zero to 300 Students
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 319
Are you ready to revolutionize career readiness in your district? Learn how 25% of our students graduate with real-world micro internship experience through a program that’s flexible, inclusive, and built to scale. In this session, discover how our innovative micro internship program engages students across CTE career clusters, supports state pathway endorsements by fulfilling work-based...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Veronica Gutzmer

Veronica Gutzmer

Career Experience Coordinator, School District 155
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 319
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

Environmental Education in the Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 315
Let's discuss the benefits of bringing environmental education into classroom, the role MCSEEP has in facilitating it and details about how our program works.
Speakers
GC

Gigi Carlson

Environmental Educator, MCSEEP

Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 315
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

Gamification & Student Motivation
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 287
This session will begin with an overview of gamification. Attendees will then explore key research on student motivation. The presentation will feature exemplar units that have successfully implemented gamification across various content areas, including psychology, US History, and World History. The workshop will be highly interactive, allowing participants to engage in a gamified activity and...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Cori Schwarzrock

Cori Schwarzrock

Division Leader / Dual Credit Instruction, District 155
I’m committed to meeting students where they are—academically, emotionally, and developmentally. I use empirically supported strategies to foster meaningful learning and support student well-being, blending research with real-world classroom application.

My work centers around blended learning and positive psychology, two powerful frameworks that inform my teaching and leadership. I’ve presented on these topics at local and national conferences, helping other educators implement research-based strategies in their own classrooms... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 287
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

Ignite Engagement: Shifting Students from Consumers to Creators with EduProtocols
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 375
Shift your middle school classroom from passive consumption to dynamic creation using the power of EduProtocols! This workshop introduces a framework of highly engaging, structured lesson routines designed to empower students as critical thinkers and content creators. Participants will explore protocols like Iron Chef, which drives collaborative, evidence-based textual analysis, and Thin Slides,...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Rebecca Condon

Rebecca Condon

Instructional Coach, North Shore School District 112
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 375
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

Incorporating Local History into the Curriculum
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 313
When kids drive through the town or area they live in it is engaging. All the towns in McHenry County share a very familiar history. It is easily placed into American and World History. We would explore where to tie in local history and provide resources where this information can be found.
Speakers
JV

Jeff Varda

Field Supervisor, National Louis University
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 313
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

Integrating Reading and Writing in the Content Area Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 289
This session would focus on how to integrate best practices in the areas of reading and writing in the content area classrooms (science, social studies, and math). Participants will gain an understanding of foundational practices that can support the content in their classroom while also reaching reading and writing standard goals.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Heeren

Courtney Heeren

Literacy Instructional Coach and Teacher, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 289
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

It's Not Easy, But it Is Simple: Three Strategies to Increase Student Success and Decrease Staff Frustrations
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 288
This session will review the three strategies necessary for student success: attendance, doing the daily practice, and using resources. The presenter will discuss the role of adults (educators and parents) in helping students develop these three strategies and will also provide takeaways to implement.
Speakers
MB

Missy Berg

School Counselor, School District 155
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 288
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

Modern & Inclusive Classrooms
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 373
How can science and chemistry classrooms better support all learners while maintaining rigor, engagement, and equity? This breakout session introduces educators to the Modern Classrooms Project (MCP) model and demonstrates how its core components, blended instruction, self-pacing, and mastery-based assessment, can transform science classrooms and any other classroom into inclusive,...
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Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Thompson

Alexandra Thompson

Science Instructor / Assistant Divisional of Science, District 156
avatar for Samantha Carlson

Samantha Carlson

Science Instructor / Digital Learning Coach, District 156
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 373
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

Passive Programming for School Libraries, Classrooms, & Other Community Spaces
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 403
What if the most powerful learning moments in your school weren’t scheduled…but simply happened? Passive programming transforms everyday school environments into rich opportunities for growth, without adding to already packed schedules and responsibilities. From hallway displays that spark curiosity to subtle prompts that reinforce social-emotional learning, this approach meets students...
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Speakers
avatar for Stacy Heiliger

Stacy Heiliger

Learning Media Center Director, McHenry District 15
I nerd out about dual language teaching, librarianship, and relationship-building. Besides "teacher things," I love cross stitching snarky things, color guard and marching band, and music (singing, playing, listening, etc).
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 403
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

Small Group Instruction in Secondary Math Classrooms
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 334
Ideas on how to incorporate small group instruction in a secondary math classroom. Ideas on what to cover in small group, how to decide which students to pull, what should the remainder of the class be doing.
Speakers
avatar for Joanna Kline

Joanna Kline

Middle school teacher / Math coach, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 334
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

Strengthening Tier 1 Instruction Through Strategic Differentiation in Small Groups
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Auditorium
Strong Tier 1 instruction is the foundation of an effective MTSS framework, yet it is often delivered primarily through whole-group lessons. This session focuses on how strategic differentiation in small groups can strengthen Tier 1 by meeting learners where they are while maintaining access to grade-level standards. Participants will explore how small groups function as a preventative,...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Catlin Tucker
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Auditorium
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

The Use of Structured Discussions in Any Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 401
Providing a shared experience from text or media-related content is one way to have students learn. Take your students one step further with a structured discussion, where they can listen to and understand their peers' opinions and experiences. Create a community-building environment, and they will discuss topics, practice higher-level questioning, analyze and evaluate situations, cite evidence,...
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Speakers
avatar for JoAnn Coughlan

JoAnn Coughlan

AVID 6, 7, 8 Teacher; AVID Coach, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 401
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

Stressed to Death
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 301
Educators are facing the highest levels of stress and burnout in decades, often being forced to address and prioritize the health and well-being of others over their own. Stressed-out educators are less productive, struggle with absenteeism, and have a much higher risk for illness and major medical problems. In this session, learn about the negative impacts of stress on the body from a recovering...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Heather Baker

Heather Baker

Principal, Winnebago 323
On February 1st, 2018, Heather died on the floor at work after suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest at the age of 28.

Working long hours each day trying to make a name for herself in the world of education, Heather never knew that you could literally become stressed to death.

Since... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 301
  Mental Health & Well-being

10:00am CDT

They're Not Like Us: Find Balance Between Student Needs and Staff Well-Being
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 307
Just like Kendrick Lamar challenges the status quo with bold honesty and rhythm, this session explores the real life remix of education where educators pour into students every day while working to keep their own cups full. In today's classrooms, students bring diverse ways of learning, behaving, and processing the world. The challenge is not simply meeting those needs. It is doing so while...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Monqiue Belin

Monqiue Belin

Assistant Principal, District 158
Monique Belin is an Assistant Principal dedicated to fostering inclusive school communities that support both student success and adult well-being. Monique brings a practical, school-based perspective to their work.
avatar for Roshaunda Henson

Roshaunda Henson

Principal, District 158

Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 307
  Mental Health & Well-being

10:00am CDT

Trauma and Resilience in Educational Settings
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 402
In this session, attendees will learn about the impact trauma has on youth, how those behaviors can show in an academic setting, and what steps they can proactively take to create a trauma-sensitive environment. Attendees will also learn how to provide a high level of support and create a nurturing environment while maintaining high expectations for students.
Speakers
avatar for Clarissa Bartlett

Clarissa Bartlett

Youth Education and Engagement Coordinator, NAMI McHenry County
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 402
  Mental Health & Well-being

10:00am CDT

Enhancing Learning Through Supporting Executive Functioning: A Starting Point for Educators
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 303
In this engaging one-hour presentation, participants will gain a clear understanding of executive functioning—its definition, role, and impact on student success in the classroom. We will explore real-world examples of how executive functioning challenges may manifest in academic settings, such as difficulties with organization, time management, and self-regulation. Additionally, attendees will...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Amy Weltin

Amy Weltin

Region 2 Specialist, Illinois Specific Learning Disability Support Project
Amy has been with the SLD Support Project since July of 2024. She is a Region 2 Specialist serving the educators and parents in the counties around the Chicagoland area. She loves to develop and deliver PD to support educators and parents that work with students with learning disabilities... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 303
  Special Education

10:00am CDT

Special Education: Harnessing the Power of AI to Write Legally Defensible IEPs
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 309
This topic will synthesize the work of the IEPq project and distill that work into a transmissable and shareable training paired with the most current tech (AI) supports to facilitate the work of the LBSI and related service provider across settings and grade levels as they create legally defensible and sound IEP documents.
Speakers
avatar for Joan Bowers

Joan Bowers

Special Education Curriculum Facilitator, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 309
  Special Education

10:00am CDT

Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 406
SDI—Specially Designed Instruction—is the core of special education. It is what legally and practically separates general education support from special education services.
Speakers
CB

Chrissy Brown

Regional Special Education Specialist, IESE
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 406
  Special Education

10:00am CDT

Strategic AT Leadership: From Compliance Myths to Classroom Reality
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 404
This session is designed for district leaders, LEA administrators, and special education decision-makers tasked with navigating the complexities of Assistive Technology (AT). Using the CITES "Myths and Facts" framework, we will debunk common misconceptions regarding IDEA Part B and Part C requirements. Attendees will move beyond "checking the box" to explore actionable strategies for deploying,...
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Speakers
avatar for Debra (Debi) Ryan

Debra (Debi) Ryan

Augmentative and Alternative Facilitator; Speech Pathologist, District 158, Huntley


avatar for Erin Wagner

Erin Wagner

Assistive Technology Facilitator, Huntley District 158
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 404
  Special Education

10:00am CDT

Design with Purpose: 5 High-Impact Canva Projects for Educators
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 367
Transform your instructional materials from functional to engaging without the steep learning curve of professional design software. This interactive breakout session focuses on the five most effective ways to utilize Canva in a school setting, including the creation of dynamic presentations and collaborative student projects. We will examine how to leverage the platform's accessibility features...
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Speakers
avatar for Ben Sondegroth

Ben Sondegroth

Lead Regional EdTech Coordinator, LTC Illinois
Ben began his career as a history teacher in Morrison, IL, where he initiated and coordinated the district’s iPad and Chromebook integration. During this time, he developed a passion for sharing exciting new ways to leverage technology in education with other teachers.That passion... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 367
  Technology

10:00am CDT

Diffit for Teachers
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 369
Using AI powered differentiation for teachers to meet student needs and improve teacher productivity.
Speakers
avatar for Katie Brown

Katie Brown

Literacy Specialist/Learning Coach, District 156
Hi! I’m Katie, a Reading Interventionist and Learning/Literacy Coach at McHenry High School in Illinois. I have 16 years of teaching experience and began my career with a degree in Special Education. I later earned my Master’s in Reading and became a Reading Specialist. In my... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 369
  Technology

10:00am CDT

MagicSchool AI for Every Educator: Simple Tools, Big Impact
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 366
Discover how MagicSchool AI can help educators work smarter while fostering meaningful student learning. In this interactive session, teachers will explore practical strategies for integrating AI responsibly into lesson planning, differentiation, and classroom activities. Participants will learn how to guide students in evaluating AI-generated information, asking better questions, and using AI as...
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Speakers
LS

Laura Servedio

Instructional Coach Coordinator, McHenry County Regional Office of Education
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 366
  Technology

10:00am CDT

Teaching that Sticks: Leveraging AI for Long-Term Learning
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 305
What happens when we combine the science of learning with the power of AI? In this session, we'll explore how retrieval, spacing and interleaving can be enhanced through the use of AI tools, including Google Gemini, MagicSchool AI, Canva, Diffit, and more! Teachers will leave the season with lesson plans and ideas that can be implemented in the classroom immediately.
Speakers
avatar for Steph Sukow

Steph Sukow

Educator, CHSD 155
Steph Sukow is a high school English teacher in the suburbs of Chicago for 17 years, who has been adjuncting college-level speech communications courses since 2016. In addition to teaching, she advocates for digital literacy and is passionate about using educational technology to... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 305
  Technology

10:00am CDT

Technology in the Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 283
Classroomscreen is a free, online digital whiteboard tool for teachers, offering customizable widgets like timers, random name pickers, traffic lights, and drawing tools to manage activities, set expectations, and boost student engagement in both physical and virtual classrooms. It helps streamline routines and add visual elements like instructions, polls, and media to a central display, making...
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Speakers
avatar for Kim Kosmen

Kim Kosmen

Reading Specialist, McHenry District 15
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 283
  Technology

10:00am CDT

Strengthening Oracy and Writing through GLAD Strategies
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 336
How do we move from teacher-led input to independent student output? This session introduces key GLAD strategies designed to bridge the gap between language acquisition and academic performance. Our goal is to demonstrate how high impact strategies with minimal preparation can meet the needs of all learners while providing teachers with data in real time. We will utilize the following GLAD...
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Speakers
avatar for Alise Gaughan

Alise Gaughan

OCDE Project GLAD® Agency Trainer / Multilingual Instructional Coach, District 15


avatar for Megan Waxler

Megan Waxler

OCDE Project GLAD® Agency Trainer, Multilingual Instructional Coach, District 15


Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 336
  Curriuclum & Instruction

10:00am CDT

How to Build Stronger Relationships with Students - Advice from 8 Veteran Teachers
Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50pm CDT
Room 362
This presentation will give teachers more quick strategies to build stronger relationships with students and increase academic achievement in their classrooms. CLICK HERE to access presentation! 
Speakers
avatar for Kirsten Sanchez

Kirsten Sanchez

Business Education Teacher, District 158


Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50pm CDT
Room 362
  Behavior & Management

11:00am CDT

Classroom Management
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 340
This presentation is a collaborative opportunity to share best practices and the A (attitude), B (behavior), and C's (community/culture) of classroom management. Tips, tools, and tricks to help navigate challenging classroom dynamics will be shared.
Speakers
avatar for Shannon Mooney

Shannon Mooney

8th Grade Science & Social Studies Teacher, District 47
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 340
  Behavior & Management

11:00am CDT

FBA and BIP: What are They? & How do We Implement Them?
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 317
Educators will learn how to complete and implement FBAs and BIPs. Staff will gain an understanding of antecedents, behaviors, and consequences, as well as the functions of behavior. Educators will also learn special education laws around FBA and BIPs. Staff will learn each section of a BIP, including how to teach the replacement behavior and how to implement the plan with fidelity.
Speakers
avatar for Helena Hernquist

Helena Hernquist

Principal/Director, Harvard District 50/Chancelight
Helena is an ISBE-licensed special education teacher, principal, and board-certified behavior analyst.  She provides families and stakeholders with exceptional ABA and special education expertise, offering more than a decade of public and private education experience.  She has worked... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 317
  Behavior & Management

11:00am CDT

Functions of Behavior and Replacement Strategies
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 332
During this session we will be looking at the four functions of behavior. We will discuss the importance of finding the correct function of a behavior to determine the appropriate replacement behavior. We will share some ideas and have discussions on challenging behaviors across all school settings.
Speakers
ND

Nicki Dindia

Behavior Coach, Crystal Lake School District 47


Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 332
  Behavior & Management

11:00am CDT

Leading through Social Media and the Youth Mental Health Crisis
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 311
Social media has reshaped school culture in ways far beyond phones in classrooms. From group chats and gaming platforms to video sharing and messaging apps, online interactions now drive peer relationships, conflict, mistrust, and administrative burden that spill into schools every day. In response, many systems have defaulted to safety-driven, restrictive measures such as phone bans and...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Jane Kim

Jane Kim

703-909-8029, KindEd
Founder and CEO
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 311
  Behavior & Management

11:00am CDT

Verbal De-Escalation
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 338
Verbal De-escalation and its role in Tier 1 (universal) supports.  Identify early signs of distress and escalation in students.  Apply 5 evidence based strategies in daily techniques.  Practice techniques.
Speakers
KZ

Kristin Ziemba

Behavior Coach, Crystal Lake School District 47
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 338
  Behavior & Management

11:00am CDT

Building Innovators Through Choice-Based Enrichment
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 403
The key to building tomorrow’s innovators might not be more structure, but more choice! This session will explore how giving students the freedom to pursue their interests can ignite creativity, deepen engagement, and foster real-world problem-solving skills. When learners have voice and choice, they don’t just participate; they take ownership, experiment, and innovate. Join this session to...
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Speakers
avatar for Lindsay Hardy

Lindsay Hardy

STEAM Teacher, District 15
avatar for Stacy Heiliger

Stacy Heiliger

Learning Media Center Director, McHenry District 15
I nerd out about dual language teaching, librarianship, and relationship-building. Besides "teacher things," I love cross stitching snarky things, color guard and marching band, and music (singing, playing, listening, etc).
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 403
  Curriuclum & Instruction

11:00am CDT

Cross-Curriculur Book Clubs
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 409
Literacy is not just an ELA responsibility—it is the foundation of learning in every classroom. In this engaging and practical session, educators will explore how the structure of book clubs can be adapted across content areas to deepen comprehension, critical thinking, and student discourse.We will share ready-to-use strategies, discussion protocols, accountability structures, and assessment...
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Speakers
avatar for Caitlyn Burton

Caitlyn Burton

7th Grade Social Studies Teacher, District 15
avatar for Jessica Brown

Jessica Brown

Middle School Teacher, District 15
avatar for Tina Stirsman

Tina Stirsman

Social Studies Teacher, District 15
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 409
  Curriuclum & Instruction

11:00am CDT

CTE Reimagined: Growing Micro Internships from Zero to 300 Students
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 319
Are you ready to revolutionize career readiness in your district? Learn how 25% of our students graduate with real-world micro internship experience through a program that’s flexible, inclusive, and built to scale. In this session, discover how our innovative micro internship program engages students across CTE career clusters, supports state pathway endorsements by fulfilling work-based...
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Speakers
avatar for Veronica Gutzmer

Veronica Gutzmer

Career Experience Coordinator, School District 155
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 319
  Curriuclum & Instruction

11:00am CDT

Engagagement in the Social Sciences
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 313
During 32 years of teaching and 4 years supervising student teachers it became obvious that engagement was the key to the real learning in the Social Sciences and to creating active citizens using the knowledge from the Social Sciences. This presentation will be about thinking about real engagement in the Social Science classroom.
Speakers
JV

Jeff Varda

Field Supervisor, National Louis University
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 313
  Curriuclum & Instruction

11:00am CDT

Environmental Education in the Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 315
Let's discuss the benefits of bringing environmental education into classroom, the role MCSEEP has in facilitating it and details about how our program works.
Speakers
GC

Gigi Carlson

Environmental Educator, MCSEEP

Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 315
  Curriuclum & Instruction

11:00am CDT

Ignite Engagement: Shifting Students from Consumers to Creators with EduProtocols
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 375
Shift your middle school classroom from passive consumption to dynamic creation using the power of EduProtocols! This workshop introduces a framework of highly engaging, structured lesson routines designed to empower students as critical thinkers and content creators. Participants will explore protocols like Iron Chef, which drives collaborative, evidence-based textual analysis, and Thin Slides,...
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Speakers
avatar for Rebecca Condon

Rebecca Condon

Instructional Coach, North Shore School District 112
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 375
  Curriuclum & Instruction

11:00am CDT

Integrating Reading and Writing in the Content Area Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 289
This session would focus on how to integrate best practices in the areas of reading and writing in the content area classrooms (science, social studies, and math). Participants will gain an understanding of foundational practices that can support the content in their classroom while also reaching reading and writing standard goals.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Heeren

Courtney Heeren

Literacy Instructional Coach and Teacher, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 289
  Curriuclum & Instruction

11:00am CDT

It's Not Easy, But it Is Simple: Three Strategies to Increase Student Success and Decrease Staff Frustrations
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 288
This session will review the three strategies necessary for student success: attendance, doing the daily practice, and using resources. The presenter will discuss the role of adults (educators and parents) in helping students develop these three strategies and will also provide takeaways to implement.
Speakers
MB

Missy Berg

School Counselor, School District 155
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 288
  Curriuclum & Instruction

11:00am CDT

Local Challenges, Global Thinking: Modeling Illinois Environmental Systems with LEGO® Education Science
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 413
In this hands-on session, educators will explore how LEGO® Education Science can be used to help Illinois students model, investigate, and redesign solutions to real-world environmental challenges. Participants will engage in collaborative design tasks focused on local systems such as climate patterns, land management, and human impact on the environment, while strengthening students’ skills in...
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Speakers
avatar for Kristen Bidinger

Kristen Bidinger

Account Manager, LEGO Education
Welcome to LEGO® Education! There is magic when students are able to engage in impactful, hands-on experiences and I am here to support you and your student with that mission. Whether it is Early Learning, STEAM or Computer Science, we build student skills through the world of p... Read More →
avatar for Tracey Dingle

Tracey Dingle

Key Account Manager, LEGO Education

Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 413
  Curriuclum & Instruction

11:00am CDT

Modern & Inclusive Classrooms
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 373
How can science and chemistry classrooms better support all learners while maintaining rigor, engagement, and equity? This breakout session introduces educators to the Modern Classrooms Project (MCP) model and demonstrates how its core components, blended instruction, self-pacing, and mastery-based assessment, can transform science classrooms and any other classroom into inclusive,...
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Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Thompson

Alexandra Thompson

Science Instructor / Assistant Divisional of Science, District 156
avatar for Samantha Carlson

Samantha Carlson

Science Instructor / Digital Learning Coach, District 156
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 373
  Curriuclum & Instruction

11:00am CDT

Small Group Instruction in Secondary Math Classrooms
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 334
Ideas on how to incorporate small group instruction in a secondary math classroom. Ideas on what to cover in small group, how to decide which students to pull, what should the remainder of the class be doing.
Speakers
avatar for Joanna Kline

Joanna Kline

Middle school teacher / Math coach, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 334
  Curriuclum & Instruction

11:00am CDT

Teaching Writing Using Gamification
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 412
Writing instruction from nationally recognized Jim Kestner’s more than 30 years of experience as a dynamic speaker brings workshop participants an innovative, game-like approach to teaching writing skills, empowering teachers to differentiate instruction that truly meets a wide range of students’ individual needs simultaneously. The option of an incentives-based, game-like interface equips...
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Speakers
JK

Jim Kestner

Founder, Excellence in Youth

Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 412
  Curriuclum & Instruction

11:00am CDT

The Use of Structured Discussions in Any Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 401
Providing a shared experience from text or media-related content is one way to have students learn. Take your students one step further with a structured discussion, where they can listen to and understand their peers' opinions and experiences. Create a community-building environment, and they will discuss topics, practice higher-level questioning, analyze and evaluate situations, cite evidence,...
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Speakers
avatar for JoAnn Coughlan

JoAnn Coughlan

AVID 6, 7, 8 Teacher; AVID Coach, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 401
  Curriuclum & Instruction

11:00am CDT

Meet & Greet and Book Signing
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Auditorium
When you check in, you will be able to choose one of Dr. Tucker's books as our gift to you. Please use this time to speak with Dr. Tucker, ask questions, and get your free book signed!
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Catlin Tucker
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Auditorium
  Keynote

11:00am CDT

Stressed to Death
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 301
Educators are facing the highest levels of stress and burnout in decades, often being forced to address and prioritize the health and well-being of others over their own. Stressed-out educators are less productive, struggle with absenteeism, and have a much higher risk for illness and major medical problems. In this session, learn about the negative impacts of stress on the body from a recovering...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Heather Baker

Heather Baker

Principal, Winnebago 323
On February 1st, 2018, Heather died on the floor at work after suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest at the age of 28.

Working long hours each day trying to make a name for herself in the world of education, Heather never knew that you could literally become stressed to death.

Since... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 301
  Mental Health & Well-being

11:00am CDT

They're Not Like Us: Find Balance Between Student Needs and Staff Well-Being
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 307
Just like Kendrick Lamar challenges the status quo with bold honesty and rhythm, this session explores the real life remix of education where educators pour into students every day while working to keep their own cups full. In today's classrooms, students bring diverse ways of learning, behaving, and processing the world. The challenge is not simply meeting those needs. It is doing so while...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Monqiue Belin

Monqiue Belin

Assistant Principal, District 158
Monique Belin is an Assistant Principal dedicated to fostering inclusive school communities that support both student success and adult well-being. Monique brings a practical, school-based perspective to their work.
avatar for Roshaunda Henson

Roshaunda Henson

Principal, District 158

Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 307
  Mental Health & Well-being

11:00am CDT

Trauma and Resilience in Educational Settings
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 402
In this session, attendees will learn about the impact trauma has on youth, how those behaviors can show in an academic setting, and what steps they can proactively take to create a trauma-sensitive environment. Attendees will also learn how to provide a high level of support and create a nurturing environment while maintaining high expectations for students.
Speakers
avatar for Clarissa Bartlett

Clarissa Bartlett

Youth Education and Engagement Coordinator, NAMI McHenry County
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 402
  Mental Health & Well-being

11:00am CDT

Upstream Prevention for School Safety: Root Cause Solutions to the Youth Mental Health Crisis
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 287
Youth mental health challenges are increasingly linked to school safety concerns, including violence, self-harm, and behavioral escalation. In this session, Rachel’s Challenge CEO, Kristi Krings, outlines the current state of youth mental health through an upstream prevention lens and shares the story of Rachel Scott, whose legacy has helped avert at least nine school shootings as corroborated...
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Speakers
avatar for Kristi Krings

Kristi Krings

Chief Executive Officer, Rachel's Challenge
Hi! I'm the CEO at Rachel's Challenge, the most extensive multi-tier violence prevention, anti-bullying, anti-youth suicide program in the world. We were founded by the family of Columbine victim, Rachel Scott. Across 27 years, we've worked in 20K+ schools nationally, preventing 9... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 287
  Mental Health & Well-being

11:00am CDT

TRS Express! - Tier One Information
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 363
We will talk about what you can expect from TRS and how you might ensure you will have enough money to enjoy the retirement you have earned. The considerations are different for those that are early in career compared to those that plan to retire in the next few years. This seminar will help you determine where you fit in and provide concepts for you to think about … including an up-to-date...
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Speakers
avatar for Sandie Benhart

Sandie Benhart

Outreach Coordinator, Teachers Retirement System
I work with TRS members, Regional Offices of Education, District Business Managers and the IRTA/IEA organizations to help our membership understand their retirement or disability benefits as well as to explain survivor benefits for loved ones. This incorporates both Tier I and Tier... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 363
  Other

11:00am CDT

Enhancing Learning Through Supporting Executive Functioning: A Starting Point for Educators
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 303
In this engaging one-hour presentation, participants will gain a clear understanding of executive functioning—its definition, role, and impact on student success in the classroom. We will explore real-world examples of how executive functioning challenges may manifest in academic settings, such as difficulties with organization, time management, and self-regulation. Additionally, attendees will...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Amy Weltin

Amy Weltin

Region 2 Specialist, Illinois Specific Learning Disability Support Project
Amy has been with the SLD Support Project since July of 2024. She is a Region 2 Specialist serving the educators and parents in the counties around the Chicagoland area. She loves to develop and deliver PD to support educators and parents that work with students with learning disabilities... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 303
  Special Education

11:00am CDT

Special Education: Harnessing the Power of AI to Write Legally Defensible IEPs
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 309
This topic will synthesize the work of the IEPq project and distill that work into a transmissable and shareable training paired with the most current tech (AI) supports to facilitate the work of the LBSI and related service provider across settings and grade levels as they create legally defensible and sound IEP documents.
Speakers
avatar for Joan Bowers

Joan Bowers

Special Education Curriculum Facilitator, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 309
  Special Education

11:00am CDT

AI as Your Creative Thought Partner: Storytelling in Google Workspace
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 367
Transform how students demonstrate their learning by turning standard Google tools into a vibrant creative studio. In this session, we will use Google Gemini as a collaborative thought partner to help students move from initial ideas to structured project plans. Participants will then learn to bridge those brainstorms into visual and cinematic projects using the specialized features of Google...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Ben Sondegroth

Ben Sondegroth

Lead Regional EdTech Coordinator, LTC Illinois
Ben began his career as a history teacher in Morrison, IL, where he initiated and coordinated the district’s iPad and Chromebook integration. During this time, he developed a passion for sharing exciting new ways to leverage technology in education with other teachers.That passion... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 367
  Technology

11:00am CDT

Diffit for Teachers
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 369
Using AI powered differentiation for teachers to meet student needs and improve teacher productivity.
Speakers
avatar for Katie Brown

Katie Brown

Literacy Specialist/Learning Coach, District 156
Hi! I’m Katie, a Reading Interventionist and Learning/Literacy Coach at McHenry High School in Illinois. I have 16 years of teaching experience and began my career with a degree in Special Education. I later earned my Master’s in Reading and became a Reading Specialist. In my... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 369
  Technology

11:00am CDT

How to Make Digital Materials Accessible for ALL Students
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 404
With the rapid shift to digital learning, ensuring every student can access your materials is more important than ever. In this session, you’ll explore simple, high-impact accessibility practices that fit naturally into your workflow. Expect to leave with ready-to-use tools that benefit all learners—not just those with identified needs.
Speakers
avatar for Debra (Debi) Ryan

Debra (Debi) Ryan

Augmentative and Alternative Facilitator; Speech Pathologist, District 158, Huntley


avatar for Erin Wagner

Erin Wagner

Assistive Technology Facilitator, Huntley District 158
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 404
  Technology

11:00am CDT

MagicSchool AI for Every Educator: Simple Tools, Big Impact
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 366
Discover how MagicSchool AI can help educators work smarter while fostering meaningful student learning. In this interactive session, teachers will explore practical strategies for integrating AI responsibly into lesson planning, differentiation, and classroom activities. Participants will learn how to guide students in evaluating AI-generated information, asking better questions, and using AI as...
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Speakers
LS

Laura Servedio

Instructional Coach Coordinator, McHenry County Regional Office of Education
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 366
  Technology

11:00am CDT

Teaching that Sticks: Leveraging AI for Long-Term Learning
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 305
What happens when we combine the science of learning with the power of AI? In this session, we'll explore how retrieval, spacing and interleaving can be enhanced through the use of AI tools, including Google Gemini, MagicSchool AI, Canva, Diffit, and more! Teachers will leave the season with lesson plans and ideas that can be implemented in the classroom immediately.
Speakers
avatar for Steph Sukow

Steph Sukow

Educator, CHSD 155
Steph Sukow is a high school English teacher in the suburbs of Chicago for 17 years, who has been adjuncting college-level speech communications courses since 2016. In addition to teaching, she advocates for digital literacy and is passionate about using educational technology to... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 305
  Technology

11:00am CDT

Technology in the Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 283
Classroomscreen is a free, online digital whiteboard tool for teachers, offering customizable widgets like timers, random name pickers, traffic lights, and drawing tools to manage activities, set expectations, and boost student engagement in both physical and virtual classrooms. It helps streamline routines and add visual elements like instructions, polls, and media to a central display, making...
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Speakers
avatar for Kim Kosmen

Kim Kosmen

Reading Specialist, McHenry District 15
Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 283
  Technology

12:00pm CDT

Lunch & Vendor Visits
Thursday June 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:20pm CDT
Cafeteria
Please join us in the cafeteria for Chick-fil-A. We would also encourage you to visit our wonderful vendors during this time.
Thursday June 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:20pm CDT
Cafeteria
  Lunch

1:30pm CDT

Classroom Management
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 340
This presentation is a collaborative opportunity to share best practices and the A (attitude), B (behavior), and C's (community/culture) of classroom management. Tips, tools, and tricks to help navigate challenging classroom dynamics will be shared.
Speakers
avatar for Shannon Mooney

Shannon Mooney

8th Grade Science & Social Studies Teacher, District 47
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 340
  Behavior & Management

1:30pm CDT

FBA and BIP: What are They? & How do We Implement Them?
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 317
Educators will learn how to complete and implement FBAs and BIPs. Staff will gain an understanding of antecedents, behaviors, and consequences, as well as the functions of behavior. Educators will also learn special education laws around FBA and BIPs. Staff will learn each section of a BIP, including how to teach the replacement behavior and how to implement the plan with fidelity.
Speakers
avatar for Helena Hernquist

Helena Hernquist

Principal/Director, Harvard District 50/Chancelight
Helena is an ISBE-licensed special education teacher, principal, and board-certified behavior analyst.  She provides families and stakeholders with exceptional ABA and special education expertise, offering more than a decade of public and private education experience.  She has worked... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 317
  Behavior & Management

1:30pm CDT

How to Build Stronger Relationships with Students - Advice from 8 Veteran Teachers
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 362
This presentation will give teachers more quick strategies to build stronger relationships with students and increase academic achievement in their classrooms. CLICK HERE to access presentation! 
Speakers
avatar for Kirsten Sanchez

Kirsten Sanchez

Business Education Teacher, District 158


Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 362
  Behavior & Management

1:30pm CDT

Verbal De-Escalation
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 338
Verbal De-escalation and its role in Tier 1 (universal) supports.  Identify early signs of distress and escalation in students.  Apply 5 evidence based strategies in daily techniques.  Practice techniques.
Speakers
KZ

Kristin Ziemba

Behavior Coach, Crystal Lake School District 47
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 338
  Behavior & Management

1:30pm CDT

Building Computational Thinking and AI Literacy through Hands‑on Learning with LEGO® Education
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 413
In this interactive session invites, we will explore how LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI can help Illinois students understand how automated systems make decisions—and why those decisions matter. Through hands-on modeling and guided discussions, participants will examine foundational concepts such as computational thinking, data inputs, and algorithmic behavior, while also addressing...
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Speakers
avatar for Kristen Bidinger

Kristen Bidinger

Account Manager, LEGO Education
Welcome to LEGO® Education! There is magic when students are able to engage in impactful, hands-on experiences and I am here to support you and your student with that mission. Whether it is Early Learning, STEAM or Computer Science, we build student skills through the world of p... Read More →
avatar for Tracey Dingle

Tracey Dingle

Key Account Manager, LEGO Education

Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 413
  Curriuclum & Instruction

1:30pm CDT

Cross-Curriculur Book Clubs
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 409
Literacy is not just an ELA responsibility—it is the foundation of learning in every classroom. In this engaging and practical session, educators will explore how the structure of book clubs can be adapted across content areas to deepen comprehension, critical thinking, and student discourse.We will share ready-to-use strategies, discussion protocols, accountability structures, and assessment...
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Speakers
avatar for Caitlyn Burton

Caitlyn Burton

7th Grade Social Studies Teacher, District 15
avatar for Jessica Brown

Jessica Brown

Middle School Teacher, District 15
avatar for Tina Stirsman

Tina Stirsman

Social Studies Teacher, District 15
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 409
  Curriuclum & Instruction

1:30pm CDT

Environmental Education in the Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 315
Let's discuss the benefits of bringing environmental education into classroom, the role MCSEEP has in facilitating it and details about how our program works.
Speakers
GC

Gigi Carlson

Environmental Educator, MCSEEP

Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 315
  Curriuclum & Instruction

1:30pm CDT

Incorporating Local History into the Curriculum
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 313
When kids drive through the town or area they live in it is engaging. All the towns in McHenry County share a very familiar history. It is easily placed into American and World History. We would explore where to tie in local history and provide resources where this information can be found.
Speakers
JV

Jeff Varda

Field Supervisor, National Louis University
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 313
  Curriuclum & Instruction

1:30pm CDT

Integrating Reading and Writing in the Content Area Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 289
This session would focus on how to integrate best practices in the areas of reading and writing in the content area classrooms (science, social studies, and math). Participants will gain an understanding of foundational practices that can support the content in their classroom while also reaching reading and writing standard goals.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Heeren

Courtney Heeren

Literacy Instructional Coach and Teacher, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 289
  Curriuclum & Instruction

1:30pm CDT

It's Not Easy, But it Is Simple: Three Strategies to Increase Student Success and Decrease Staff Frustrations
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 288
This session will review the three strategies necessary for student success: attendance, doing the daily practice, and using resources. The presenter will discuss the role of adults (educators and parents) in helping students develop these three strategies and will also provide takeaways to implement.
Speakers
MB

Missy Berg

School Counselor, School District 155
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 288
  Curriuclum & Instruction

1:30pm CDT

Modern & Inclusive Classrooms
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 373
How can science and chemistry classrooms better support all learners while maintaining rigor, engagement, and equity? This breakout session introduces educators to the Modern Classrooms Project (MCP) model and demonstrates how its core components, blended instruction, self-pacing, and mastery-based assessment, can transform science classrooms and any other classroom into inclusive,...
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Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Thompson

Alexandra Thompson

Science Instructor / Assistant Divisional of Science, District 156
avatar for Samantha Carlson

Samantha Carlson

Science Instructor / Digital Learning Coach, District 156
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 373
  Curriuclum & Instruction

1:30pm CDT

Passive Programming for School Libraries, Classrooms, & Other Community Spaces
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 403
What if the most powerful learning moments in your school weren’t scheduled…but simply happened? Passive programming transforms everyday school environments into rich opportunities for growth, without adding to already packed schedules and responsibilities. From hallway displays that spark curiosity to subtle prompts that reinforce social-emotional learning, this approach meets students...
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Speakers
avatar for Stacy Heiliger

Stacy Heiliger

Learning Media Center Director, McHenry District 15
I nerd out about dual language teaching, librarianship, and relationship-building. Besides "teacher things," I love cross stitching snarky things, color guard and marching band, and music (singing, playing, listening, etc).
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 403
  Curriuclum & Instruction

1:30pm CDT

The Use of Structured Discussions in Any Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 401
Providing a shared experience from text or media-related content is one way to have students learn. Take your students one step further with a structured discussion, where they can listen to and understand their peers' opinions and experiences. Create a community-building environment, and they will discuss topics, practice higher-level questioning, analyze and evaluate situations, cite evidence,...
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Speakers
avatar for JoAnn Coughlan

JoAnn Coughlan

AVID 6, 7, 8 Teacher; AVID Coach, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 401
  Curriuclum & Instruction

1:30pm CDT

Keynote
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Auditorium
AI cannot replace teachers or the human elements of learning, but it can help redesign classroom workflows so students take a more active role in thinking, decision-making, and sense-making. In this keynote, Dr. Catlin Tucker explores how AI can support a shift toward student-led learning by reducing the burden of information transfer and freeing teachers to focus on what humans do best: building...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Catlin Tucker
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Auditorium
  Keynote

1:30pm CDT

Rachel's Challenge: Current State of Youth Mental Health Through an Upstream Prevention Lens
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 287
Youth mental health challenges are increasingly linked to school safety concerns, including violence, self-harm, and behavioral escalation. In this session, Rachel’s Challenge CEO, Kristi Krings, outlines the current state of youth mental health through an upstream prevention lens and shares the story of Rachel Scott, whose legacy has helped avert at least nine school shootings as corroborated...
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Speakers
avatar for Kristi Krings

Kristi Krings

Chief Executive Officer, Rachel's Challenge
Hi! I'm the CEO at Rachel's Challenge, the most extensive multi-tier violence prevention, anti-bullying, anti-youth suicide program in the world. We were founded by the family of Columbine victim, Rachel Scott. Across 27 years, we've worked in 20K+ schools nationally, preventing 9... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 287
  Mental Health & Well-being

1:30pm CDT

They're Not Like Us: Find Balance Between Student Needs and Staff Well-Being
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 307
Just like Kendrick Lamar challenges the status quo with bold honesty and rhythm, this session explores the real life remix of education where educators pour into students every day while working to keep their own cups full. In today's classrooms, students bring diverse ways of learning, behaving, and processing the world. The challenge is not simply meeting those needs. It is doing so while...
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Speakers
avatar for Monqiue Belin

Monqiue Belin

Assistant Principal, District 158
Monique Belin is an Assistant Principal dedicated to fostering inclusive school communities that support both student success and adult well-being. Monique brings a practical, school-based perspective to their work.
avatar for Roshaunda Henson

Roshaunda Henson

Principal, District 158

Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 307
  Mental Health & Well-being

1:30pm CDT

Trauma and Resilience in Educational Settings
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 402
In this session, attendees will learn about the impact trauma has on youth, how those behaviors can show in an academic setting, and what steps they can proactively take to create a trauma-sensitive environment. Attendees will also learn how to provide a high level of support and create a nurturing environment while maintaining high expectations for students.
Speakers
avatar for Clarissa Bartlett

Clarissa Bartlett

Youth Education and Engagement Coordinator, NAMI McHenry County
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 402
  Mental Health & Well-being

1:30pm CDT

TRS Express! - Tier Two Information
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 363
We will talk about what you can expect from TRS and how you might ensure you will have enough money to enjoy the retirement you have earned. The considerations are different for those that are early in career compared to those that plan to retire in the next few years. This seminar will help you determine where you fit in and provide concepts for you to think about … including an up-to-date...
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Speakers
avatar for Sandie Benhart

Sandie Benhart

Outreach Coordinator, Teachers Retirement System
I work with TRS members, Regional Offices of Education, District Business Managers and the IRTA/IEA organizations to help our membership understand their retirement or disability benefits as well as to explain survivor benefits for loved ones. This incorporates both Tier I and Tier... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 363
  Other

1:30pm CDT

Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 406
SDI—Specially Designed Instruction—is the core of special education. It is what legally and practically separates general education support from special education services.
Speakers
CB

Chrissy Brown

Regional Special Education Specialist, IESE
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 406
  Special Education

1:30pm CDT

Build It with Google Gemini Canvas Workspace
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 366
Ready to go beyond the basics? In this session, we'll dig into how Google Gemini's Canvas Workspace can help you personalize learning, build lessons, resources, flashcards, study guides, interactive quizzes, slide decks, and more. AI does the heavy lifting so you can spend your energy on what matters most. Leave with materials that are high quality, relevant, and right for your context and the...
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Speakers
avatar for Stephanie Cardella

Stephanie Cardella

Executive Director, AI Education Network, Leap Innovations
Stephanie Cardella is a seasoned instructional leader with over 20 years of experience in education, including executive roles focused on advancing personalized and competency-based learning. She has led district- and network-wide initiatives to implement personalized learning models... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 366
  Technology

1:30pm CDT

Design with Purpose: 5 High-Impact Canva Projects for Educators
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 367
Transform your instructional materials from functional to engaging without the steep learning curve of professional design software. This interactive breakout session focuses on the five most effective ways to utilize Canva in a school setting, including the creation of dynamic presentations and collaborative student projects. We will examine how to leverage the platform's accessibility features...
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Speakers
avatar for Ben Sondegroth

Ben Sondegroth

Lead Regional EdTech Coordinator, LTC Illinois
Ben began his career as a history teacher in Morrison, IL, where he initiated and coordinated the district’s iPad and Chromebook integration. During this time, he developed a passion for sharing exciting new ways to leverage technology in education with other teachers.That passion... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 367
  Technology

1:30pm CDT

Diffit for Teachers
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 369
Using AI powered differentiation for teachers to meet student needs and improve teacher productivity.
Speakers
avatar for Katie Brown

Katie Brown

Literacy Specialist/Learning Coach, District 156
Hi! I’m Katie, a Reading Interventionist and Learning/Literacy Coach at McHenry High School in Illinois. I have 16 years of teaching experience and began my career with a degree in Special Education. I later earned my Master’s in Reading and became a Reading Specialist. In my... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 369
  Technology

1:30pm CDT

Teaching that Sticks: Leveraging AI for Long-Term Learning
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 305
What happens when we combine the science of learning with the power of AI? In this session, we'll explore how retrieval, spacing and interleaving can be enhanced through the use of AI tools, including Google Gemini, MagicSchool AI, Canva, Diffit, and more! Teachers will leave the season with lesson plans and ideas that can be implemented in the classroom immediately.
Speakers
avatar for Steph Sukow

Steph Sukow

Educator, CHSD 155
Steph Sukow is a high school English teacher in the suburbs of Chicago for 17 years, who has been adjuncting college-level speech communications courses since 2016. In addition to teaching, she advocates for digital literacy and is passionate about using educational technology to... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 305
  Technology

1:30pm CDT

AP Teacher Symposium
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 420
Session Objectives: 1. Build a Collaborative Network - Establish connections among AP teachers across McHenry County to foster ongoing collaboration, resource sharing, and peer support throughout the academic year. 2. Identify and Share Effective Practices - Exchange successful strategies, curriculum resources, and instructional approaches that improve student access, engagement, and performance...
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Speakers
avatar for Patrick Enright

Patrick Enright

Assistant Superintendent, Nippersink D2 and Richmond-Burton D157
My career in education began in the AP Government classroom, where I spent years learning firsthand the dedication and rigor required to help students succeed in advanced coursework. While my path eventually led me through roles as a Principal and Assistant Superintendent, those ... Read More →
avatar for Carl Vallianatos

Carl Vallianatos

Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Innovation, District 156
Carl is the Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Innovation for McHenry High School District#156 in McHenry, IL.
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 420
  Curriuclum & Instruction

1:30pm CDT

Strengthening Oracy and Writing through GLAD Strategies
Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 336
How do we move from teacher-led input to independent student output? This session introduces key GLAD strategies designed to bridge the gap between language acquisition and academic performance. Our goal is to demonstrate how high impact strategies with minimal preparation can meet the needs of all learners while providing teachers with data in real time. We will utilize the following GLAD...
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Speakers
avatar for Alise Gaughan

Alise Gaughan

OCDE Project GLAD® Agency Trainer / Multilingual Instructional Coach, District 15


avatar for Megan Waxler

Megan Waxler

OCDE Project GLAD® Agency Trainer, Multilingual Instructional Coach, District 15


Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 336
  Curriuclum & Instruction

2:30pm CDT

Classroom Management
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 340
This presentation is a collaborative opportunity to share best practices and the A (attitude), B (behavior), and C's (community/culture) of classroom management. Tips, tools, and tricks to help navigate challenging classroom dynamics will be shared.
Speakers
avatar for Shannon Mooney

Shannon Mooney

8th Grade Science & Social Studies Teacher, District 47
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 340
  Behavior & Management

2:30pm CDT

Classroom Management & Trauma
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 412
A nationally recognized specialist in classroom management and youth character development, Jim Kestner will present practical, hands-on strategies to address unique challenges for building bridges that empower your students to overcome barriers from traumatic environments and circumstances to find empathy, acceptance, predictability, and hope through their time in your class. Specifically, the...
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Speakers
JK

Jim Kestner

Founder, Excellence in Youth

Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 412
  Behavior & Management

2:30pm CDT

Functions of Behavior and Replacement Strategies
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 332
During this session we will be looking at the four functions of behavior. We will discuss the importance of finding the correct function of a behavior to determine the appropriate replacement behavior. We will share some ideas and have discussions on challenging behaviors across all school settings.
Speakers
ND

Nicki Dindia

Behavior Coach, Crystal Lake School District 47


Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 332
  Behavior & Management

2:30pm CDT

How to Build Stronger Relationships with Students - Advice from 8 Veteran Teachers
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 362
This presentation will give teachers more quick strategies to build stronger relationships with students and increase academic achievement in their classrooms. CLICK HERE to access presentation! 
Speakers
avatar for Kirsten Sanchez

Kirsten Sanchez

Business Education Teacher, District 158


Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 362
  Behavior & Management

2:30pm CDT

Leading through Social Media and the Youth Mental Health Crisis
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 311
Social media has reshaped school culture in ways far beyond phones in classrooms. From group chats and gaming platforms to video sharing and messaging apps, online interactions now drive peer relationships, conflict, mistrust, and administrative burden that spill into schools every day. In response, many systems have defaulted to safety-driven, restrictive measures such as phone bans and...
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Speakers
avatar for Jane Kim

Jane Kim

703-909-8029, KindEd
Founder and CEO
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 311
  Behavior & Management

2:30pm CDT

Verbal De-Escalation
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 338
Verbal De-escalation and its role in Tier 1 (universal) supports.  Identify early signs of distress and escalation in students.  Apply 5 evidence based strategies in daily techniques.  Practice techniques.
Speakers
KZ

Kristin Ziemba

Behavior Coach, Crystal Lake School District 47
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 338
  Behavior & Management

2:30pm CDT

CTE Reimagined: Growing Micro Internships from Zero to 300 Students
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 319
Are you ready to revolutionize career readiness in your district? Learn how 25% of our students graduate with real-world micro internship experience through a program that’s flexible, inclusive, and built to scale. In this session, discover how our innovative micro internship program engages students across CTE career clusters, supports state pathway endorsements by fulfilling work-based...
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Speakers
avatar for Veronica Gutzmer

Veronica Gutzmer

Career Experience Coordinator, School District 155
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 319
  Curriuclum & Instruction

2:30pm CDT

Engagagement in the Social Sciences
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 313
During 32 years of teaching and 4 years supervising student teachers it became obvious that engagement was the key to the real learning in the Social Sciences and to creating active citizens using the knowledge from the Social Sciences. This presentation will be about thinking about real engagement in the Social Science classroom.
Speakers
JV

Jeff Varda

Field Supervisor, National Louis University
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 313
  Curriuclum & Instruction

2:30pm CDT

Environmental Education in the Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 315
Let's discuss the benefits of bringing environmental education into classroom, the role MCSEEP has in facilitating it and details about how our program works.
Speakers
GC

Gigi Carlson

Environmental Educator, MCSEEP

Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 315
  Curriuclum & Instruction

2:30pm CDT

Ignite Engagement: Shifting Students from Consumers to Creators with EduProtocols
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 375
Shift your middle school classroom from passive consumption to dynamic creation using the power of EduProtocols! This workshop introduces a framework of highly engaging, structured lesson routines designed to empower students as critical thinkers and content creators. Participants will explore protocols like Iron Chef, which drives collaborative, evidence-based textual analysis, and Thin Slides,...
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Speakers
avatar for Rebecca Condon

Rebecca Condon

Instructional Coach, North Shore School District 112
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 375
  Curriuclum & Instruction

2:30pm CDT

Integrating Reading and Writing in the Content Area Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 289
This session would focus on how to integrate best practices in the areas of reading and writing in the content area classrooms (science, social studies, and math). Participants will gain an understanding of foundational practices that can support the content in their classroom while also reaching reading and writing standard goals.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Heeren

Courtney Heeren

Literacy Instructional Coach and Teacher, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 289
  Curriuclum & Instruction

2:30pm CDT

It's Not Easy, But it Is Simple: Three Strategies to Increase Student Success and Decrease Staff Frustrations
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 288
This session will review the three strategies necessary for student success: attendance, doing the daily practice, and using resources. The presenter will discuss the role of adults (educators and parents) in helping students develop these three strategies and will also provide takeaways to implement.
Speakers
MB

Missy Berg

School Counselor, School District 155
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 288
  Curriuclum & Instruction

2:30pm CDT

Metacognition: Building Students' Capacity for Deeper Learning
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Auditorium
Teachers cannot be the only ones doing the cognitive heavy lifting in the classroom. For learning to stick and transfer, students must actively think about, monitor, and reflect on their own learning. Metacognition helps students make sense of what they are learning, recognize when they are stuck, and choose strategies that move them forward. This session focuses on practical strategies teachers...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Catlin Tucker
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Auditorium
  Curriuclum & Instruction

2:30pm CDT

Modern & Inclusive Classrooms
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 373
How can science and chemistry classrooms better support all learners while maintaining rigor, engagement, and equity? This breakout session introduces educators to the Modern Classrooms Project (MCP) model and demonstrates how its core components, blended instruction, self-pacing, and mastery-based assessment, can transform science classrooms and any other classroom into inclusive,...
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Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Thompson

Alexandra Thompson

Science Instructor / Assistant Divisional of Science, District 156
avatar for Samantha Carlson

Samantha Carlson

Science Instructor / Digital Learning Coach, District 156
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 373
  Curriuclum & Instruction

2:30pm CDT

Small Group Instruction in Secondary Math Classrooms
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 334
Ideas on how to incorporate small group instruction in a secondary math classroom. Ideas on what to cover in small group, how to decide which students to pull, what should the remainder of the class be doing.
Speakers
avatar for Joanna Kline

Joanna Kline

Middle school teacher / Math coach, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 334
  Curriuclum & Instruction

2:30pm CDT

The Use of Structured Discussions in Any Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 401
Providing a shared experience from text or media-related content is one way to have students learn. Take your students one step further with a structured discussion, where they can listen to and understand their peers' opinions and experiences. Create a community-building environment, and they will discuss topics, practice higher-level questioning, analyze and evaluate situations, cite evidence,...
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Speakers
avatar for JoAnn Coughlan

JoAnn Coughlan

AVID 6, 7, 8 Teacher; AVID Coach, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 401
  Curriuclum & Instruction

2:30pm CDT

Rachel's Challenge: Current State of Youth Mental Health Through an Upstream Prevention Lens
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 287
Youth mental health challenges are increasingly linked to school safety concerns, including violence, self-harm, and behavioral escalation. In this session, Rachel’s Challenge CEO, Kristi Krings, outlines the current state of youth mental health through an upstream prevention lens and shares the story of Rachel Scott, whose legacy has helped avert at least nine school shootings as corroborated...
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Speakers
avatar for Kristi Krings

Kristi Krings

Chief Executive Officer, Rachel's Challenge
Hi! I'm the CEO at Rachel's Challenge, the most extensive multi-tier violence prevention, anti-bullying, anti-youth suicide program in the world. We were founded by the family of Columbine victim, Rachel Scott. Across 27 years, we've worked in 20K+ schools nationally, preventing 9... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 287
  Mental Health & Well-being

2:30pm CDT

Stressed to Death
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 301
Educators are facing the highest levels of stress and burnout in decades, often being forced to address and prioritize the health and well-being of others over their own. Stressed-out educators are less productive, struggle with absenteeism, and have a much higher risk for illness and major medical problems. In this session, learn about the negative impacts of stress on the body from a recovering...
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Speakers
avatar for Heather Baker

Heather Baker

Principal, Winnebago 323
On February 1st, 2018, Heather died on the floor at work after suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest at the age of 28.

Working long hours each day trying to make a name for herself in the world of education, Heather never knew that you could literally become stressed to death.

Since... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 301
  Mental Health & Well-being

2:30pm CDT

They're Not Like Us: Find Balance Between Student Needs and Staff Well-Being
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 307
Just like Kendrick Lamar challenges the status quo with bold honesty and rhythm, this session explores the real life remix of education where educators pour into students every day while working to keep their own cups full. In today's classrooms, students bring diverse ways of learning, behaving, and processing the world. The challenge is not simply meeting those needs. It is doing so while...
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Speakers
avatar for Monqiue Belin

Monqiue Belin

Assistant Principal, District 158
Monique Belin is an Assistant Principal dedicated to fostering inclusive school communities that support both student success and adult well-being. Monique brings a practical, school-based perspective to their work.
avatar for Roshaunda Henson

Roshaunda Henson

Principal, District 158

Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 307
  Mental Health & Well-being

2:30pm CDT

Trauma and Resilience in Educational Settings
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 402
In this session, attendees will learn about the impact trauma has on youth, how those behaviors can show in an academic setting, and what steps they can proactively take to create a trauma-sensitive environment. Attendees will also learn how to provide a high level of support and create a nurturing environment while maintaining high expectations for students.
Speakers
avatar for Clarissa Bartlett

Clarissa Bartlett

Youth Education and Engagement Coordinator, NAMI McHenry County
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 402
  Mental Health & Well-being

2:30pm CDT

TRS Express! - Tier Two Information
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 363
We will talk about what you can expect from TRS and how you might ensure you will have enough money to enjoy the retirement you have earned. The considerations are different for those that are early in career compared to those that plan to retire in the next few years. This seminar will help you determine where you fit in and provide concepts for you to think about … including an up-to-date...
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Speakers
avatar for Sandie Benhart

Sandie Benhart

Outreach Coordinator, Teachers Retirement System
I work with TRS members, Regional Offices of Education, District Business Managers and the IRTA/IEA organizations to help our membership understand their retirement or disability benefits as well as to explain survivor benefits for loved ones. This incorporates both Tier I and Tier... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 363
  Other

2:30pm CDT

Special Education: Harnessing the Power of AI to Write Legally Defensible IEPs
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 309
This topic will synthesize the work of the IEPq project and distill that work into a transmissable and shareable training paired with the most current tech (AI) supports to facilitate the work of the LBSI and related service provider across settings and grade levels as they create legally defensible and sound IEP documents.
Speakers
avatar for Joan Bowers

Joan Bowers

Special Education Curriculum Facilitator, Woodstock CUSD 200
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 309
  Special Education

2:30pm CDT

Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 406
SDI—Specially Designed Instruction—is the core of special education. It is what legally and practically separates general education support from special education services.
Speakers
CB

Chrissy Brown

Regional Special Education Specialist, IESE
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 406
  Special Education

2:30pm CDT

Strategic AT Leadership: From Compliance Myths to Classroom Reality
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 404
This session is designed for district leaders, LEA administrators, and special education decision-makers tasked with navigating the complexities of Assistive Technology (AT). Using the CITES "Myths and Facts" framework, we will debunk common misconceptions regarding IDEA Part B and Part C requirements. Attendees will move beyond "checking the box" to explore actionable strategies for deploying,...
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Speakers
avatar for Debra (Debi) Ryan

Debra (Debi) Ryan

Augmentative and Alternative Facilitator; Speech Pathologist, District 158, Huntley


avatar for Erin Wagner

Erin Wagner

Assistive Technology Facilitator, Huntley District 158
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 404
  Special Education

2:30pm CDT

From Insights to Action: Strengthening Your AI Roadmap
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 366
AI is creating real opportunities for districts to strengthen teaching, support educators, and design learning that prepares students for the future. The leaders who will make the most of this moment are the ones who move with intention, ground their work in pedagogy, and learn from others doing the same.This session draws on what we are learning from leaders across the country who are in the...
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Speakers
avatar for Stephanie Cardella

Stephanie Cardella

Executive Director, AI Education Network, Leap Innovations
Stephanie Cardella is a seasoned instructional leader with over 20 years of experience in education, including executive roles focused on advancing personalized and competency-based learning. She has led district- and network-wide initiatives to implement personalized learning models... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 366
  Technology

2:30pm CDT

Teaching that Sticks: Leveraging AI for Long-Term Learning
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 305
What happens when we combine the science of learning with the power of AI? In this session, we'll explore how retrieval, spacing and interleaving can be enhanced through the use of AI tools, including Google Gemini, MagicSchool AI, Canva, Diffit, and more! Teachers will leave the season with lesson plans and ideas that can be implemented in the classroom immediately.
Speakers
avatar for Steph Sukow

Steph Sukow

Educator, CHSD 155
Steph Sukow is a high school English teacher in the suburbs of Chicago for 17 years, who has been adjuncting college-level speech communications courses since 2016. In addition to teaching, she advocates for digital literacy and is passionate about using educational technology to... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 305
  Technology

2:30pm CDT

Technology in the Classroom
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 283
Classroomscreen is a free, online digital whiteboard tool for teachers, offering customizable widgets like timers, random name pickers, traffic lights, and drawing tools to manage activities, set expectations, and boost student engagement in both physical and virtual classrooms. It helps streamline routines and add visual elements like instructions, polls, and media to a central display, making...
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Speakers
avatar for Kim Kosmen

Kim Kosmen

Reading Specialist, McHenry District 15
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 283
  Technology
 
McHenry County ROE Excellence in Education 2026
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