"Empowering every educator. Walking further together."

Discover professional learning opportunities along the following themes:

• AI & Technology Integration

• Assessment & Instructional Design

• Coaching & Leadership

• Literacy & Language Learning

• Paraprofessional Development

• Belonging & Social Emotional Learning

• Specialist (Fine Arts, Physical Education, World Languages, STEM, CTE)

AI & Technology Integration

AI in Action: Practical Tools to Save Time, Differentiate, and Engage
Presenter: Jessie Nicoson
Date: August 11 & 12, 2025 (not a series; session repeats)
Time: 12:15–3:15 PM (Aug 11), 8:15–11:15 AM (Aug 12)
Format: In Person at West40
Audience: All Educators
Description: Explore classroom-ready AI tools that support differentiation, feedback, engagement, and save time. Make & Take format includes collaboration and resource creation across districts.

Using AI to Boost Creativity, Movement, and Expression
Presenter: Eric Santos of LTC
Date: August 19, 2025
Time: 12:15–3:15 PM
Format: Virtual (Online)
Audience: All Educators
Description: Hands-on exploration of AI tools to enhance expression, language development, and movement-based learning. Walk away with creative and practical applications for your classroom.

Google: I Bet You Didn't Know
Presenter: Jessie Nicoson
Date: August 18 & 19, 2025 (not a series; session repeats)
Time: 12:30–1:30 PM
Format: Virtual (Online)
Audience: All Educators
Description: Discover hidden features in Google tools like Docs, Sheets, Classroom, and more. Boost engagement and streamline your workflows with these tech tips.

Social Work Services & Instructional Design

The Schools We Need Now: Moving from Trauma Informed to Healing Centered

Dr. Tim Dohrer and Dr. Tom Golebiewski

Authors of The Schools We Need Now

Dates & Formats: (not a series; session repeats)

August 12th Virtual 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM 

August 18th Virtual 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM 

Audience: All Educators
Description: Social Workers play a pivotal role in moving classrooms and schools from being trauma informed to healing centered. Learn how to enact a trauma-responsive model that focuses on healing.

How People Learn
Presenter: Mike Czerniawski
Date: August 11, 2025
Time: 12:15–3:15 PM
Format: In Person at West40
Audience: All Educators
Description: Explore four major principles from the science of learning that can transform how students engage with instruction. Leave with concrete strategies to redesign curriculum, instruction, and assessment for deeper success.

Coaching & Leadership

Cultivating Mentor Excellence: Strategies for Impactful Mentor Practices
Presenters: Mallory Lawler & Anna Mae Grams-Pullappally
Date: August 12th and 19th, 2025 (not a series; session repeats)
Time: 8:15–11:15 AM
Format: In Person at West40
Audience: Coaches, Teacher Leaders, Mentors, Administrators
Description: Explore differentiated mentoring strategies and gain tools for giving feedback, navigating tough conversations, and strengthening mentor-mentee relationships. Learn from real case studies and best practices that support educator growth and retention.

The Power of Language: Coaching Moves that Build Trust and Drive Growth
Presenters: Mallory Lawler & Anna Mae Grams-Pullappally
Date: August 12th and 19th, 2025 (not a series; session repeats)
Time: 12:15–3:15 PM
Format: In Person at West40
Audience: Coaches, Teacher Leaders, Mentors, Administrators
Description: Learn a powerful coaching framework that emphasizes trust-building and reflective questioning. Engage in practice scenarios and gain language tools for high-impact growth conversations.

Building Teacher Leader Capacity: Protocols and Strategies for Effective Team Facilitation
Presenter: Anna Mae Grams-Pullappally
Date: August 18, 2025
Time: 12:15–3:15 PM
Format: In Person at West40
Audience: Coaches, Teacher Leaders, Mentors, Administrators
Description: Develop your facilitation skills to lead strong, collaborative, and results-oriented teams. Leave with tools for setting group norms, planning agendas, and leading meaningful team conversations.

Ready to Shine: Confidently Navigating Your Early Childhood Compliance Visit
Presenter: Diane Schoenheider
Date: August 11th and 18th, 2025 (not a series; session repeats)
Time: 12:30–2:30 PM
Format: Virtual (Online)
Audience: All Educators (with focus on Early Childhood programming)
Description: Is your program ready for a state compliance visit? Learn how to prepare with confidence by organizing documentation, creating review-ready environments, and highlighting your program’s strengths. This session transforms a routine review into a meaningful opportunity to showcase your impact.

Math Specialist & Interventionists Working Group
Presenter: Annie Forest
Date: August 18, 2025
Time: 1:45–3:15 PM
Format: Virtual (Online)
Audience: Math Specialists and Math Interventionists
Description: As a math specialist or interventionist, you might be the only one in your role at your school. This session will be an opportunity to collaborate with others in similar roles. We will also explore ways to support students based on the research of Rachel Lambert and her book, Rethinking Disability and Mathematics. 

Literacy & Language Learning

Intervention & The Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan
Presenter: Erika Lukasik
Date: August 11th, 12th, 18th & 19th, 2025 (not a series; session repeats)
Times below:

• Aug 11 | 12:15–1:45 PM

• Aug 12 | 2:00–3:30 PM

• Aug 18 | 12:15–1:45 PM

• Aug 19 | 2:00–3:30 PM
  Format: Virtual (Online)
  Audience: Specialist Educators
  Description: Explore how the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan (IL-CLP) supports intervention planning across content areas. Collaborate with peers to align your supports and strengthen instruction for struggling readers.

Components of Literacy
Presenter: Erika Lukasik
Date: August 11th and 18th, 2025 (not a series; session repeats)
Time: 2:00–3:30 PM
Format: Virtual (Online)
Audience: All Educators
Description: An introduction to the IL-CLP and its 7 Components of Literacy. This session supports educators beginning their journey into the Science of Reading and offers guidance for aligning classroom instruction.

Empowering Multilingual Learners in Your Classroom: Overview
Presenter: Nimisha Bhatt
Date/Time: August 12, 2025 (2:30-3:30pm) & August 18, 2025 (12:15-1:15pm)  (not a series; session repeats)
Format: Virtual (Online)
Audience: All Educators
Description: Gain an overview of practical, high-leverage strategies for supporting Multilingual Learners (MLLs). Explore ways to foster both language development and academic achievement.

Paraprofessional Development

Paraprofessionals 101 (Newbies)
Presenter: Demian LaPointe
Date: August 11 & 12, 2025 (not a series; session repeats)
Time: 12:15–3:15 PM (Aug 11), 8:15–11:15 AM (Aug 12)
Format: In Person at West40
Audience: Paraprofessionals
Description: A foundational training that blends special education basics with practical tools like active listening, collaboration, and self-care strategies to support student learning and professional growth.

Paraprofessionals Supporting Independence (Veterans)
Presenter: Holly McCarthy
Date: August 11th and12th, 2025 (not a series; session repeats)
Time: 12:15–3:15 PM (Aug 11), 8:15–11:15 AM (Aug 12)
Format: In Person at West40
Audience: Paraprofessionals
Description: Empower paraprofessionals to support students with neurodiverse behavioral and learning needs. Grounded in trauma-informed practices and ABA strategies, this session offers practical techniques for fostering independence and trust.

Supporting in Math Class (Even if Math Isn't Your Thing!)
Presenter: Annie Forest
Date: August 18, 2025
Time: 12:15-1:45 PM
Format: Virtual
Audience: Paraprofessionals K-8
Description: Maybe it's been a while since you've done school math or maybe the math you see in the classroom looks different than you remember! Explore ways to be supportive while still allowing students to learn, thrive, and even have some productive struggle.

Leading Paraprofessionals: Collaborative Strategies for Teachers in Promoting Successful Outcomes for Students
Presenter: Kennedi Strickland-Dixon
Date: August 12, 2025
Time: 12:15–3:15 PM
Format: In Person at West40
Audience: Teachers working with Paraprofessionals
Description: Focus on building strong teacher-paraprofessional partnerships. Gain tools and strategies that support collaboration, communication, and student success across all settings.

More Than a Helping Hand: The Paraprofessional’s Role in Early Learning
Presenter: Diane Schoenheider
Date: August 12th (Virtual) & August 19th (In Person), 2025 (not a series; session repeats)
Time: 8:30–11:00 AM (Aug 12, Virtual), 12:15–3:15 PM (Aug 19, In Person)
Format: Virtual & In Person
Audience: Early Childhood Paraprofessionals
Description: Clarify the critical role of Pre-K paraprofessionals in shaping engaging and developmentally appropriate environments. Ideal for new staff, this session outlines the skills needed to support young learners effectively.

Belonging & Social Emotional Learning

Belonging

Exploring Identity Markers of Self by Reflecting on Historical Moments
Presenters: Julie Morris & Mallory Lawler
Date: August 11th and 18th, 2025 (not a series; session repeats)
Time: 12:15–3:15 PM
Format: In Person at West40
Audience: All Educators
Description: Reflect on key historical events from 1944 to the present and how they shape personal and collective identity. Build empathy and cultural awareness through community-building activities that promote respect for all identities.

Belonging Matters: Fostering School Cultures that Respect All Learners
Presenters: Julie Morris & Kennedi Strickland Dixon
Date: August 19, 2025
Time: 8:15–11:15 AM
Format: In Person at West40
Audience: All Educators
Description: Explore strategies to build school environments where all students feel valued, connected, and empowered to thrive. This session provides practical tools to support student belonging and strengthen relationships across all school communities.

Social Emotional Learning

SEL and Classroom Assessments: A Perfect Marriage
Presenter: Diane Wolf
Date: August 12th and 19th, 2025 (not a series; session repeats)
Time: 8:15–10:15 AM
Format: Virtual (Online)
Audience: All Educators
Description: Explore how integrating SEL into classroom assessments can transform learning. Grounded in the CASEL 5 framework, this session offers strategies to make assessments more student-centered, reflective, and empowering—building confidence, resilience, and real-world connections.

Specialist (Art, Music, World Languages PE, STEM)

Specialist Empowerment

“What About Us?” Elevating Assessment in Specialist Classrooms
Presenter: Diane Wolf
Date: August 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th, 2025 (not a series; session repeats)
Times below:

• August 11 | 12:45–2:45 PM

• August 12 | 12:45–2:45 PM

• August 18 | 12:15–2:15 PM

• August 19 | 12:45–2:45 PM
  Format: Virtual (Online)
  Audience: Specialist Educators (Arts, PE, World Languages, CTE, etc.)
  Description:  This session empowers specialist educators to articulate the impact of their instruction and assessments. Learn how to advocate for your content, align your work with school goals, and elevate your voice in professional learning and school improvement planning.

Faces of the Wild (Designed for teachers in Grades 5-12. All grade levels are welcome. 90- minute online session)

Presenter: Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Patricia Steinmeyer, Manager, Professional Learning & K-12 Academics

Date: August 18, 2025
Time: 12:15–1:45 PM
Format: VIRTUAL
Audience: Science Educators

Description: Among the animals and nature at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, are twelve Faces of the Wild sculptures created by British and Australian artists Gillie and Marc Schattner.  In this class, we will explore a lesson in which students choose one of these sculptures for close observation and design their own artwork to raise awareness about an endangered animal. Help your students to experience the power of art to inspire conservation action. Gain strategies to support student observation, descriptive writing, critical thinking and creativity.