Lake County Institute Day 2025 Grade 6-12/K-12 Fine Arts/ K-12 Librarians: Full Schedule

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8:00am CST

Introduction & Morning Keynote - The Educator's Atlas: Your Roadmap to Joyful, Engaging & Successful Classrooms

Friday February 14, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CST

Based on the critically acclaimed book, The Educator’s ATLAS offers a groundbreaking roadmap for capturing student engagement in the first moments of class, and sustaining it all the way to the last. In keeping with Weston Kieschnick’s mission and vision for education, ATLAS holds both learner needs and teacher wisdom in equal importance. Central to this is alignment and clarification of student engagement that—once and for all—offers teachers an actionable role. Educators will leave this session joyfully inspired, motivated, and with a plan in hand for cultivating curiosity, creating participatory classrooms, and nurturing a desire to persevere in all students. And as is always the case with Kieschnick’s keynotes, participants will laugh and have a lot of fun along the way.

Speakers

Weston Kieschnick

Weston Kieschnick is considered one of the world’s most recognizable and sought-after speakers and educational leaders. He is an award-winning teacher, best-selling author, TEDx speaker, coach, husband, and father. He is the author of, The Educator’s ATLAS, Bold School, Bre... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CST
Main Gym A121 1350 W. Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL 60060

9:20am CST

Recent Trends Among LGBTQ+ Youth and How to Support Them

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B115

LGBTQ+ youth, and especially gender expansive youth, experience disparities as a result of violent and non-violent victimization as compared with their heterosexual and cisgender peers. This session will highlight these risks and explore ways schools and educators can work to reduce these risks among their students.

Speakers

Kristal Larson

Executive Director, LGBTQ+ Center Lake County

Kristal Lynn Larson is the Executive Director of the LGBTQ+ Center Lake County, an organization committed to making Lake County a place for LGBTQ+ identifying persons and their families a place to feel welcome and thrive in their personal and professional lives. She blends her passion... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B115 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management

9:20am CST

Serve Teachers First FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B136

Far too many leaders have been indoctrinated towards perfection and correction. This method fails to highlight for staff their integral worth by virtue of existing. This presentation will work to show, through story telling and data, how taking a human centered approach to supporting staff increases their performance.

Speakers

Stephanie Kallis Meek

Principal, Beach Park School District #3

Stephanie is a veteran administrator focused on leading with humanity. Host of the upcoming podcast dropping in April, she shares her ways of managing the change process effectively and with humans at the center.

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B136 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management

9:20am CST

Trauma-Invested: Cultivating Middle School Resilient Learners FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C203

This session equips middle school educators with trauma-informed strategies based on Relationship, Responsibility, and Regulation: Trauma-Invested Practices for Fostering Resilient Learners. Educators will reflect on trauma’s impact, explore its relevance to their practice, and learn actionable ways to create supportive, inclusive classrooms. Through reflection and data-informed interventions, participants will gain tools to enhance student resilience, engagement, and connection while adopting mindset shifts that prioritize regulation, relationships, and responsibility in their teaching.

Speakers

Kiirsti Linna

Middle School Math Teacher

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C203 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management

9:20am CST

Whole Class Discussion Strategies to Promote Empathy, Collaboration, and Communication FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B132

Four whole class discussions strategies will be presented. Resources, assessment processes, and instructional tips will be included. The strategies will be applicable for any subject area that wants to develop reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, and self-reflection.

Speakers

Anne Eichman

Emma Craig

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B132 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management

9:20am CST

Building Resilience Across Stakeholder Groups LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B131

Participants will develop knowledge and understanding of resilience in students and family stakeholder groups. Participants will understand how resilience has an impact on academic achievement and school performance, will learn strategies for supporting different stakeholder groups in building resilience.

Speakers

Lauren McArdle

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B131 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

9:20am CST

Engage and Inspire: Strategies to Energize Your Classroom FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C213

Ready to energize your teaching? Join this hands-on session packed with creative, low-prep & high-impact strategies to boost student ownership and engagement. Learn how small changes lead to big wins, fostering rigorous learning, higher-order thinking, and belonging. Strategies are designed to fit seamlessly in your curriculum and are applicable to all learners. Leave inspired with fresh ideas to energize your classroom!

Speakers

Stephanie Cardella

Executive Director of Strategy, LEAP Innovations

Stephanie Cardella, drives organizational improvement and change management through systems approach, human-centered design, and innovation. As an Executive Director of Strategy, she creates conditions for student success by supporting teachers, leaders, and schools in revolutionizing... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C213 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

9:20am CST

Igniting Critical Thinking: A Deep Dive into Building Thinking Classrooms FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B129

Discover the transformative power of Building Thinking Classrooms! Join us as we explore the implementation of this innovative approach, sharing firsthand experiences, successes, and challenges. We'll delve into the strategies that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity in the classroom.

Speakers

Brendan Murphy

8th grade math teacher, North Chicago District 187

Brendan has been in education since 2000. He has taught 4th grade, 8th grade Mathematics, worked as a curriculum specialist, and technology integration currently he teaches 8 th graders the joy of mathematics. His passion is creating a more engaging learning environment for teachers... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B129 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

9:20am CST

The Great Eight - Strategies for Engagement FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B104

Add eight powerful, easy-to-implement teaching strategies to your toolbox in this hands-on workshop! Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the classroom, you'll walk away with practical tools that can be used immediately to engage students, boost learning, and enhance classroom management. Come ready to learn, collaborate, and leave with fresh ideas to make a lasting impact. This session is for teachers of all levels to help grow brains at all levels.

Speakers

Katie Yarc

Justine Braskich

Instructional Coach

Justine is a passionate educator who understands the incredible power of fun in the classroom and how to use it as a tool to help with content retention. She has found it increasingly necessary to explicitly build learning opportunities in the classroom to grow curiosity in a generation... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B104 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

9:20am CST

The Struggle is Real: Cultivating Grit, Problem Solving & Productive Struggle FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room A120 Auditorium

When we spoon-feed information to students, we do the work for them. But the side effects go beyond merely handing students the solution to academic challenges. We rob them of all the long-term benefits of rigorous learning. We rob them of effort. We rob them of productive struggle and in turn, we rob them of opportunities to develop grit, perseverance, and resilience. We condition students to think if they sit there long enough, someone will eventually come along and tell them the answer and how to get it. This is dull, passive, ineffective. Our challenge is to create rigorous and relevant learning scenarios, whereby students are engaged in productive struggle in learning environments that are equal parts joyful, engaging, and successful. In this session, Weston will unlock the power of Problem Solving Teaching and demonstrate a methodology that all teachers can use to create classrooms of highly engaged problem solvers.

Speakers

Weston Kieschnick

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room A120 Auditorium 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

9:20am CST

Music to my Ears and Brain: How Music Can Help Struggling Students be Successful. FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B147

Music has a direct effect on the brain and it's growth. Learning to play an instrument isn't the only way to encourage this growth - just listening to a song can too! Have you ever had a song change your mood. Do you need your favorite music to clean the house? Channeling the effects of music on the brain can help struggling students find success!

Speakers

Sarah Amrein

Music Teacher, Antioch District #34

I have been teaching music for over 20 years in both Milwaukee Wi and Antioch, Il. I am a mother of twin middle schoolers and my husband is a 2nd grade teacher in a neighboring school district.

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B147

Fine Arts

9:20am CST

Real-Life Vocational Experience: Student-Managed Businesses FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C205

This informative session will focus on how to develop student-led businesses that provide real-life, hands on, job skills and promote social awareness among the students’ peers, staff, and community members. By working outside of the classroom setting, students improve their generalization of skills learned in class. We will explore how to start a student managed business from the ground up incorporating real life business practices; from budgeting, shopping for supplies, advertising, customer service, communication skills and more. Mundelein High School has had two different successful business endeavors in the past six years, the MHS Drink Oasis (students making and selling milkshakes and smoothies) and Mustang Mornings (students making and selling frappes, hot coffee, and other beverages to staff). Presenters will be providing curricular examples and resources participants can use to begin their own vocational classroom business.

Speakers

Maureen Baker

Special Education Teacher, Mundelein High School

I have been working at Mundelein High School for over 18 years. I was asked to start the district’s first life skills, functionally based program that we named, The Supported Learning Program. Morgan Spitz and I started the program together in the fall of 2007. We have started 2... Read More →

Heather Ryan

Morgan Spitz

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C205 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Fine Arts

9:20am CST

Reimagining Art: Gen AI in Creativity, Assessment, and Motivation FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C104

Discover how generative AI transforms creativity, assessment, and student motivation in the middle and high school art classroom. This interactive session explores practical strategies for integrating AI tools into visual arts instruction, fostering creative expression, and reimagining evaluation methods. Engage in dynamic discussions and gain insights on leveraging AI as a creative and ethical partner to enhance student learning and artistic growth. Unleash the potential of Gen AI to inspire and empower your students!

Speakers

Gerry James

Fine Arts Division Chair/Administrator, Lyons Township High School District 204

Gerry James currently serves as the Fine Arts Division Chair at Lyons Township High School District 204 (LT) in LaGrange, IL. In his third year at LT, he oversees certified teaching staff in the LT World Language, Music, and Art departments. Gerry has served as a department chair... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C104

Fine Arts

9:20am CST

A Framework for Instructional Consistency and Staff Success: Leveraging Marzano's "The New Art and Science of Teaching" at Neal Math & Science Academy- a Culture Shift! LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C214

Want to boost teacher effectiveness and student learning? This interactive session dives into Marzano's research-based best practices to help you:

-Build a robust instructional framework aligned with your evaluation tools.
-Master strategies for clear learning goals, knowledge application, engagement, and relationships.
-Create a roadmap for consistent, high-quality instruction across your school or district.
-Leave with actionable strategies and a framework ready to implement!

Speakers

Michele Cozza

Marzano Resources

Michael Grenda

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C214 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

Company Marzano Resources

9:20am CST

All Hands on Deck: Building-Wide Ownership of Transition Services FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C202

“All Hands on Deck: Building-Wide Ownership of Transition Services” highlights how all school staff—regardless of role, and with or without special education background—can support students with disabilities in preparing for life after high school. Through practical strategies, examples, and collaborative discussions, this session empowers educators, counselors, and all support staff to embed transition skills into daily interactions, fostering student independence and success. Join us to discover how small actions can make a big difference in shaping brighter futures!

Speakers

Andrew Seketa

Special Education Coordinator, Community High School District 117

Michelle Bank

Transition Coordinator, D120 Transition Center

A Mundelein community member, Michelle found joy in working with individuals that have disabilities as a teenager. Inspired by working at NWSRA summer camps, she developed an affection for education that followed her through college, leading to her career in special education. Thirty... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C202 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

9:20am CST

Best Practices for Genrefying Your Library LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B114

In this session, we will take a deep dive into Follett Content's Genre Services and best practices to help you plan and execute a successful transformation of your library space.

Speakers

Joe Folliard

Content Consultant, Follett Content Solutions

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B114 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General, K-12 Librarians

9:20am CST

Communication Skills 101 LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B140

This session will provide the participants an overview of sound communication practices that are steeped in research. Strategies such as the use of candor, effective listening skills and getting to yes will be discussed, shared and practiced.

Speakers

Danielle Carter

Assistant Superintendent for HR, Grayslake High School District 127

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B140

General, Admin Assistants/ Secretary

9:20am CST

Empowering Students Through Career Exploration: The Career Explorers Program FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B145

Introduce participants to the Career Explorers Program, an initiative to engage students in meaningful career exploration. Developed collaboratively with administrators and teachers, this session is designed for teachers, school counselors, and administrators interested in career readiness, student engagement, and building partnerships to enhance postsecondary outcomes for students.

Participants will learn about the program's framework, including its alignment with the state career readiness standards, and strategies for fostering collaboration between students, educators, and industry professionals.

Speakers

Lori Lev

Andy Flaker

Blythe Masura

College & Career Counselor, GRANT COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

I am currently the College & Career Counselor at Grant Community High School. This is currently my 3rd year at Grant and the 3rd year since the programs inception. Starting a program from scratch has been both exciting and stressful at times but I have loved every minute of it... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B145 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

9:20am CST

The Power of Talent in Great Teams FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B137

The greatest teams live at the intersection of high performance and high relationships. At the foundation of both of these is Talent. Learn how to discover, develop and maximize the innate talents within your team to impact performance and build relationships. Whether you're a leader building your First Team, or a coach pulling together a school sports team, this session is for you!

Speakers

Matt Munson

Humanex Ventures

Talent, Culture and Teams. I love the possibilities and process of helping schools and athletic programs select great talent - "one more like their best," build culture by design, and develop the teams in place!

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B137 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

9:20am CST

2026 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Nominees FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B130

The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award is an annual award given to the book voted most outstanding by students in grades four through eight in participating Illinois schools and libraries. Come and learn about the 20 books that made the 2026 RCYRBA nominee list. Attendees will hear a book talk; share ways to use the books in your classroom, library, and school; and learn how to become more involved as an evaluator.

Speakers

Ruth Gheysen

Teacher/Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Board Member, CCSD 46

School year 24/25 marks thirty years in sixth grade ELA. I love books and reading, which is why I got involved with the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, a student choice award for grades four through eight. Besides teaching and books, I love my cats, poetry, playing handbells... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B130 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

9:20am CST

Adult Titles with Teen Appeal LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B118

Learn about diverse and engaging books published for adults, which are a hit with high school students.

Speakers

Elizabeth Broemmelsiek

Teaching Librarian, Palatine High School

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B118

Instruction, K-12 Librarians

9:20am CST

Appropriately Identifying Migrant Children with Speech and Language Disorders LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C211

Speakers

Sharon Rzyski

Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist, Mundelein High School 120/District 75

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C211 1350 West Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL 60060, USA

Instruction, Social Emotional Learning/Diversity

9:20am CST

Digital Storytelling: Get it Write! FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C206

Harness the power of visual storytelling. Apply basic reading and writing skills to your students making short videos about any subject matter. Commercials, movie trailers, interviews with people living or dead, mini-documentaries, book reports/reviews are all fair game for students teaching their classmates. One to one schools can use your devices' built in tools. Flipping your classroom or employing some of strategy's techniques? Liven up your videos.

Speakers

Joe Brennan

Digital Storytelling Evangelist, Mundelein H.S.

I taught Spanish for 20 years before my students got camcorders and started doing their dialogues and skits on tape. That pulled me into multimedia and I finished the last 12 years of my career as the AV/Media Coordinator at Niles West, eventually overseeing Niles North too. In "retirement... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C206 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

9:20am CST

Drones for Computer Science & Creativity LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C130

Get ready to fly high in this hands-on workshop! Explore the exciting world of drones and learn how to integrate them into your STEM curriculum. We'll cover coding, multimedia projects, drone sports, career paths, responsible flying, and how to make the right purchase. Experience thrilling drone demos and discover how to unleash creativity and learning with these amazing devices!

Speakers

Eric C. Santos

Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Learning Technology Center

Eric Santos is the Regional Educational Technology Coordinator for the Learning Technology Center serving the Chicagoland region. Eric believes in advocating for greater equity in educational opportunities as well as engaging, inspiring, and empowering all educators through effective... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C130 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

9:20am CST

El próximo nivel: Dual Language and Multilingual Programs at the Middle School LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B117

Is your Middle School new to Dual Language or Multilingual Programs, or are you looking to expand your current Dual Language or Multilingual programming into Middle School? Are you looking to grow your toolbox of incentives/strategies for Multilingual students at the Middle School level? If you answered yes to either of these questions, this session is for you! Serving a PreK-8th student population, Mundelein Elementary School District 75 offers two-way immersion Dual Language programs and Co-Taught Multilingual programming at the Middle School level. Come join us as we share “El próximo nivel: Dual Language and Multilingual Programs at the Middle School” This session is guaranteed to leave you feeling empowered about “el próximo nivel” with your own Dual Language and Multilingual programming.

Speakers

Ryan Zak

Director of Linguistic Programs, District 75 Mundelein

Tracy Fuentes

Dual Language/Multilingual Teacher, Mundelein Elementary District 75

I have been a middle school educator for the past 18 years serving Multilingual and Dual Language students. Currently, I am an8th Grade Dual Language teacher at Carl Sandburg Middle School in Mundelein, Illinois. My passions include Multilingual and Dual Language Programming... Read More →

Germaine Whitney

Carol Rabaja

ML Teacher, Carl Sandburg Middle School

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B117 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

9:20am CST

If you get it and you know it clap your hands! Enhancing Math Instruction for MLs Using the C.O.R.E. Framework LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B133

How do you know your students 'get it'? This session will equip educators with the C.O.R.E. instructional framework to support multilingual students by implementing clear routines, scaffolds, structured discussions, and explanations to deepen math understanding. Take away valuable strategies to enrich your toolbox and empower multilingual learners in classroom discourse for deep understanding.

Speakers

Maggie Munoz

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B133 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

9:20am CST

Make it Matter. Aligning CCSS with students' interests and bridging the gap between curriculum and what is relevant to today's students. LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B128

With the 2010 inception of the ELA CCSS, the push for a cohesive, common curriculum and literacy experiences came to the forefront of schools. However, the resources and materials of the past do not necessarily connect with our current demographic of students. Research shows that students are motivated and engaged in texts and tasks when they perceive them as pertinent to their lives. Literacy instruction should include the cultures, backgrounds, and language practices of all students. This session will provide strategies for bridging CCSS standards and texts with multimodality and relevancy that appeal to students’ interests, identity formation, and range of ability levels to account for multiliteracies and view language as a resource. These facilitate students’ self-efficacy, a primary motivational determinant of achievement and a critical precursor to student success.

Speakers

Yvonne Schmid

Reading Specialist, CCSD 46

I have taught ELA and reading for 31 years and my passions are helping students feel more confident in their reading skills and finding ways to make what they read relevant and meaningful to them. I am working on my dissertation for my PhD in Reading, Language, and Literacy with a... Read More →

Jennifer Everett

Reading Specialist, CCSD 46

My name is Jennifer Everett, I am the 7th grade reading specialist at Grayslake Middle School.

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B128 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

9:20am CST

Making Math Multilingual LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C207

This session encourages teachers to reflect on their current instructional practices, and offers a variety of strategies for supporting language beyond vocabulary instruction. Topics such as assessment, content differentiation and language scaffolds will be addressed.

Speakers

Lauren Morley

Bilingual Math Teacher, Consortium for Teachers of Multilingual Learners in Secondary Mathematics

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C207 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

9:20am CST

Stop Mimicking, Start Thinking LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B134

Interested in learning more about Building Thinking Classrooms from Peter Liljedahal? Experience the beginning elements behind a Building Thinking Classroom and gain practical tools to deepen mathematical learning.

Speakers

Jerod Smith

Sr. Manager of School Partnership, Carnegie Learning

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B134 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

9:20am CST

Teaching Math Through Problem Solving as a Means of Promoting Student Engagement LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C204

Our presentation will describe how our professional learning community has used teaching math through problem solving as a means to encourage student to student dialogue as the basis for whole group and small group math discussions. We will also share how the relationship between student note-taking and teacher board work can be a powerful tool for engagement and mathematical understanding.

Speakers

Nicole Blackburn

Instructional Coach, Grayslake Middle School

Andrew Friesema

Math Teacher, GMS

Hi! I'm an 8th grade math teacher at GMS. This is my first year in CCSD 46 after 19 years in Chicago Public Schools.

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C204 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

9:20am CST

The Ongoing Move to NGSS: Life Sciences LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C201

In this session, a physics and chemistry teacher with over 40 years of combined teaching experience will share their different journeys towards the 3-dimensional teaching and learning called for by the NGSS. The goal of this session is to ignite discussion of all participants about successes and failures in movement towards NGSS to better equip all to continue to grow towards true NGSS alignment.

Speakers

Jamie Brongiel

Joey Philipp

Science Department Chair, Mundelein High School

Alyssa Wiltjer

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C201 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

9:20am CST

Transitioning to the ACT: An Introduction to the ACT College & Career Readiness Assessment System LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B138

As Illinois High Schools transition to the PreACT-ACT assessments as part of the State Assessment System, this presentation will focus on the elements of the ACT College & Caree Readiness System – ACT College Readiness Standards, ACT College Readiness Benchmarks, ACT Research, and the ACT Holistic Framework. Participants will be introduced to the elements of the ACT College Readiness System Assessments and Reports. Information on student and staff preparation strategies will be provided in this session.

Speakers

George Schlott

Senior Account Executive and State Lead for Illinois, ACT Client Relations

George Schlott is a Client Relations Senior Account Executive for ACT, Inc. working with PK-12 educational institutions in the States of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. George’s primary responsibilities include work with elementary/secondary schools to assist them in their selection... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B138 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

9:20am CST

AI & Teaching FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C103

In their book, AI & Teaching, Bowen and Watson explain that very soon, "AI will eliminate some jobs, but it seems very likely to change every job." With this in mind, we'll take both philosophical and practical approaches to thinking, teaching, and learning with artificial intelligence. We'll approach this pedagogical and cognitive shift not from fear, but curiosity and innovation.

Speakers

Victoria Lobb

Instructional Technology Coach & English teacher, Grayslake Central High School

Scott Ewen

Technology Coach and AP Human Geography Teacher, Grayslake North

Husband, father, teacher, coach, world traveler.

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C103 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

9:20am CST

AI-mazing Differentiation: Tools to Tailor Your Teaching FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B127

In this interactive session, we'll dive into the time-saving tools that help tailor your teaching to meet the unique needs of every student. Explore how Diffit, MagicSchool, and other tools can transform your classroom into a personalized learning haven. You'll discover practical strategies for creating custom lessons, simplifying planning, and boosting student engagement. Whether you're a tech newbie or an AI enthusiast, this session will equip you with the tools to make your instruction truly AI-mazing!

Speakers

Matt Sherrill

Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Learning Technology Center of Illinois

Matt Sherrill (he/him) is a Regional Educational Technology Coordinator for the Learning Technology Center, serving Illinois’ East Central region. Always an early adopter, Matt is passionate about utilizing technology to drive impactful learning and supporting fellow educators as... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B127 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

9:20am CST

Empowering Educators with AI: A Practical Introduction FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C107

In this practical session, we will go over the basics of how LLM’s (Claude, ChatGPT) work, what Claude and ChatGPT are each better for, effective prompting techniques to get the results you want, and demonstrate prompts to help you with lesson planning and material creation. No tech background is needed, just bring your laptop with you.

Speakers

Rahul Sethna

Ed Tech and Data Coach / Business Education Teacher, Mundelein High School

I have spent the last 28 years at MHS teaching Business Education, English, Economics, and PE. This year, I moved into the EdTech/Data Coach role, where I co-lead our AI task force to integrate AI ethically and responsibly into our school. I'm passionate about helping teachers harness... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C107 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

9:20am CST

Teacher & Student-Created Animated GIFs to Support Instruction and Creativity FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B139

Animated GIFs are versatile tools for teaching and learning, helping visualize concepts, tell stories, and create engaging mnemonics. Teachers can use GIFs to enhance presentations and handouts or as “how-to” videos. Students can create GIFs for both class assignments and creative projects creativity. Easy to create with tools like Slides, Adobe Express, DoInk, Photoshop, among many others. GIFs can accommodate diverse learning styles and are simple to share, making them invaluable in classrooms.

Speakers

Dr. Jason Meltzer

Technology Teacher and Coach, Oak Grove School District #68

Jason Meltzer, Ph.D. is currently a technology integrator and technology teacher at Oak Grove School District #68 in Green Oaks, IL., In this K-8 one-school, school district, he has worked with students and teachers of all grade levels on strategies of incorporating creative digital... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B139 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

9:20am CST

The Transformative Potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room C212

This professional development session introduces teachers to the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and strives to take away some of the fears and stigma. Learn how AI can streamline teacher workloads and improve student achievement. Explore practical applications of AI tools, discover ethical considerations, and gain hands-on experience with AI-powered educational resources.

Speakers

Ron Chernobrov

Technology Specialist, Illinois Virtual Schools & Academy

I am the lead social studies teacher and instructional technology specialist for Illinois Virtual. I support the teaching staff in instructional technology - providing 1 on 1 and group lessons on a variety of technology tools in addition to providing student technology support for... Read More →

Justin Milner

Illinois Virtual Schools & Academy

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room C212 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

9:20am CST

Unlocking AI: Tools and Tips for Educators FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B112

A dynamic session exploring practical AI tools and tips for 3-12 teachers! Discover how to enhance classroom engagement, streamline tasks, and support differentiated learning. Whether you’re new to tech or looking to expand your toolkit, this session will empower you to harness the potential of AI in education.

Speakers

Kathy Strathman

Educational Technology Teacher, Antioch CCSD 34

Position at Company ABC.

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B112 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

9:20am CST

Using Google Tools to Create Digital Escapes FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST

Room B116

In this session, science educators will learn to create digital escape rooms using tools like Google Forms and Sheets. These escape rooms promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration, helping reinforce science concepts. Attendees will get step-by-step guidance on designing puzzles and challenges tailored to learning goals. By the end, educators will be equipped with practical resources to make any content area more interactive and engaging for students across various topics and grade levels.

Speakers

Tyra Stall

Friday February 14, 2025 9:20am - 10:05am CST
Room B116 1350 W. Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

10:10am CST

Using Your PreACT-ACT Assessment Data for Student and School Improvement LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 10:25am CST

Room B138

This session will introduce participants to the ACT Online Reporting System (https://success.act.org). The session will cover creating an Online Reporting account; accessing PreACT-ACT data in the Online Reporting system; and creating roster and summary reports to inform student and school improvement activities. The majority of this workshop will be a live demonstration of the features of the ACT Online Reporting System. Participants with Success.ACT.org accounts will be encouraged to follow along with their own access/data.

Speakers

George Schlott

Senior Account Executive and State Lead for Illinois, ACT Client Relations

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 10:25am CST
Room B138 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

10:10am CST

From Conflict to Connection: Restorative Tools for 6–12 Teachers FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C208

Transform classroom conflicts into opportunities for connection and growth. This engaging workshop equips K–12 educators with practical restorative practices to prevent disruptions, resolve peer-to-peer conflicts, and build mutual respect. Learn how to foster empathy, establish positive relationships, and create a supportive classroom culture where every student feels valued. With actionable tools and real-world strategies, you'll leave prepared to nurture harmony and collaboration, making your classroom a space where everyone thrives.

Speakers

Dr. Don Parker

Keynote Speaker, DPCP Corporation

Dr. Don Parker is a transformational keynote speaker and professional development provider. Hespecializes in social-emotional learning, supporting teachers to build trusting relationships withstudents, restorative practices, trauma-informed practices, and improving the culture and... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C208 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management

10:10am CST

Overcome Unconscious Bias FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C211

Unconscious bias can have a significant impact on the mental health of educators, students and their families. Through this introductory presentation, we aim to provide realistic and turn-key information that aids educators in both bringing awareness to unconscious biases in their environment and providing actionable steps to reducing them. Built upon foundational DEI concepts and Simply Bee's 5-step Growth & Resiliency Model©, participants will walk away with knowledge and strategies to foster a more inclusive environment.

Speakers

Angel Arnold, LCPC, NCC

DEI Consultant and Therapist, Simply Bee

Angel is a creative and passionate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion trainer with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity International University. She is also a certified DEI professional from Cornell University. Angel enjoys creating a judgment and shame-free... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C211 1350 West Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL 60060, USA

Climate/Classroom Management

10:10am CST

Recent Trends Among LGBTQ+ Youth and How to Support Them FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B115

Speakers

Kristal Larson

Executive Director, LGBTQ+ Center Lake County

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B115 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management

10:10am CST

Serve Teachers First LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B136

Speakers

Stephanie Kallis Meek

Principal, Beach Park School District #3

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B136 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management

10:10am CST

Whole Class Discussion Strategies to Promote Empathy, Collaboration, and Communication FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B132

Speakers

Anne Eichman

Emma Craig

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B132 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management

10:10am CST

Building Belonging: Strengthening Student Connections for Second Semester FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C213

Building community and fostering belonging are key to academic growth. When students feel valued, they take more risks and engage deeply in learning. Explore strategies to strengthen student relationships, create an inclusive environment, and promote collaboration. Learn how to cultivate a supportive classroom culture where students feel safe to express themselves and thrive and finish the year strong.

Speakers

Stephanie Cardella

Executive Director of Strategy, LEAP Innovations

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C213 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

10:10am CST

Engaging Students who Struggle FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C207

This session will provide participants with a variety of strategies and recommendations for working with students who struggle to engage in the classroom. We will address topics such as assessment, executive functioning, building a culturally responsive classroom, and supporting students with scaffolds and differentiation.

Speakers

Lauren Morley

Bilingual Math Teacher, Consortium for Teachers of Multilingual Learners in Secondary Mathematics

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C207 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

10:10am CST

From Theory to Action: Integrating Behavioral Support Strategies into the Classroom FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B131

In this session, participants will learn about key principles for supporting student behavior - including the importance of co-regulation across learning spaces. Participants will learn basics about theory for supporting diverse student behavioral/social-emotional regulation needs, as well as strategies that can be implemented within their classrooms to support student needs.

Speakers

Lauren McArdle

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B131 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

10:10am CST

Igniting Critical Thinking: A Deep Dive into Building Thinking Classrooms FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B129

Speakers

Brendan Murphy

8th grade math teacher, North Chicago District 187

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B129 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

10:10am CST

Power Strategies: The 5 Strategies every teacher should know to accelerate learning & enhance student engagement LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room A120 Auditorium

Conversations about learning loss, acceleration, and achievement gaps are ubiquitous in our schools. All too often we think the solution to these problems lives in the acquisition of innovative tools. It does not. It lives in the application of highly effective strategies. When we use innovative tools to support these strategies, we can make them both more effective and efficient. Discover the 5 strategies every teacher should have in his/her back pocket to accelerate growth and create joyful, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences for kids.

Speakers

Weston Kieschnick

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room A120 Auditorium 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

10:10am CST

The Great Eight - Strategies for Engagement FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B104

Speakers

Katie Yarc

Justine Braskich

Instructional Coach

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B104 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

10:10am CST

Art Teacher Troubleshooting (k-5) LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B147

This is a session for elementary art teachers. The purpose of this session is to tackle typical challenges in the art room, from lack or materials to clean-up procedures. Participants can ask for support and share systems that work to develop an art room that hums. Also, I will share a small make-n-take that can be useful across many grade levels as well as a few elementary level standards based lessons. Please bring a pair a scissors and simple drawing materials if you are able

Speakers

Dianna Burns

Art Teacher, Beach Park School District #3

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B147

Fine Arts

10:10am CST

Creating Community: Restorative Practices in the Art Classroom LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C104

Explore how restorative practices can transform your visual arts classroom into a vibrant, inclusive community. This session highlights strategies for fostering belonging, collaboration, and empathy while promoting social-emotional learning (SEL) skills through art. Learn how restorative approaches go beyond discipline to create meaningful connections and empower students to express themselves authentically. Leave with practical tools and ideas to cultivate a positive, supportive environment that enhances creativity and strengthens classroom relationships.

Speakers

Gerry James

Fine Arts Division Chair/Administrator, Lyons Township High School District 204

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C104

Fine Arts

10:10am CST

Every Second Counts: Music that inspires leadership FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C205

Every Second Counts: Music that inspires leadership.

A middle-level Principal outlines five song tracks - a mixtape, if you will - that inspires strategies for reflection and moving forward throughout a school year.

Speakers

Tom Cardamone

Principal: Harvard Junior High School, Harvard CUSD50

Tom Cardamone is a husband, father, son, administrator, educator, and advocate with over 28 years of experience building and leading positive cultures where people can grow and thrive. Tom is a lifelong learner and enthusiastic advocate of educator wellness and the balance of physical... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C205 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Fine Arts

10:10am CST

Calling all High School College Counselors LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B128

The University Center of Lake County is a great opportunity for Lake County High School students who are planning to complete a bachelor's degree while living and working in Lake County. The University Center has 13 accredited Illinois university partners offering 50 undergraduate degree programs in a wide variety of disciplines and different modalities. Students can start their BA completion program after completing 60 credits or an Associate's degree.

Speakers

Leslie Bertholdt

University Center of Lake County

Izobella Estano

University Center of Lake County

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B128 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

Company University Center of Lake County

10:10am CST

Empowering Students Through Career Exploration: The Career Explorers Program LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B145

Speakers

Lori Lev

Andy Flaker

Blythe Masura

College & Career Counselor, GRANT COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B145 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

10:10am CST

Expanding Options for Students - While Getting Reimbursed by ISBE LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B137

We know there are several paths to success for students, and ISBE has a program to help fund those paths to success. We are one of four providers of online courses that can expand offerings, solve for educator vacancies, and meet the needs of more kids in your district. We will share an overview of the courses, ISBE program for reimbursement, and provide time to brainstorm/share with your colleagues how to serve more students - without raising your budget.

Vendors

John Rocco

District Partnership Lead, Imagine Learning

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B137 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

10:10am CST

Feedback People Can Hear FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B140

This session will provide participants with an overview of providing feedback to others while maintaining a positive relationship, strong culture, and commitment to the District's identified values and standards. Participants will walk away with an easy to use template to use in their environments.

Speakers

Danielle Carter

Assistant Superintendent for HR, Grayslake High School District 127

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B140

General, Admin Assistants/ Secretary

10:10am CST

Person-Centered Transition Planning: Going Beyond the IEP FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B130

Proposal: Staff from the District 120 Transition Center will present on the topic of Person – Centered Transition Planning through the implementation of structured transition planning meetings in place of traditional parent teacher conferences to supplement the IEP and focus transition planning, agency connection, and supports for the individual and their family.

Speakers

Jennifer Adame

Michelle Bank

Transition Coordinator, D120 Transition Center

Eric Billittier

Eric Billittier is a special education teacher and case manager at the District 120 Transition Center in Mundelein, IL. He has 15 years of experience in the field of special education teaching, coaching, and managing cases for secondary and post-secondary students with a wide range... Read More →

Jennifer Ryan

Chelsea Troesch

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B130 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

10:10am CST

3D Printing for the Greater Good FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C130

Learn how 3D printing can empower your students to become agents of change! This workshop dives into design thinking, real-world problem-solving, and innovative applications of 3D printing. Go beyond trinkets and explore projects that make a difference. Learn the basics of 3D printing, what you need to get started, and a demonstration of the most state of the art consumer 3d printers. Leave inspired to transform your classroom!

Speakers

Eric C. Santos

Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Learning Technology Center

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C130 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

10:10am CST

El próximo nivel: Dual Language and Multilingual Programs at the Middle School LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B117

Speakers

Ryan Zak

Director of Linguistic Programs, District 75 Mundelein

Tracy Fuentes

Dual Language/Multilingual Teacher, Mundelein Elementary District 75

Germaine Whitney

Carol Rabaja

ML Teacher, Carl Sandburg Middle School

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B117 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

10:10am CST

Navig8 Lake: Exploring Careers Across Lake County LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B107

This session will explore the shifting landscapes of Career and Technical Education, Career Pathways, PWR, the Work Based Learning Continuum, and support stakeholders in navigating CTE as the interconnective tissue of education in all of our schools.

Speakers

Blair Schoell

Ali Finn

Director of College and Career Readiness, Lake Zurich Community Unity District 95

Carolyn Corcoran

CTE & CCR Curriculum and Instruction Specialist, Round Lake Area School District

Ask me about Work Based Learning! College and Career Pathway Endorsements! Hosting a large scale Career Exploration Event!

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B107

Instruction

10:10am CST

Standards Based Grading at the High School Level LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B133

Grant Community High School has been running a standards-based grading pilot in a number of subject areas for the past two years. We would like to share our experience with implementing standards-based grading into our high school curriculums. Our presentation will include the journey that led us to begin our pilot, our experience with aligning our curriculum, the current state of the pilot in multiple subject areas, and wins and challenges experienced along the way. We hope this can help with others who may be considering a standards-based model. Presented by Tim Viscioni, Nick Nenni, Chris Robinson and others.

Speakers

Tim Viscioni

Math Teacher, Grant Community High School

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B133 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

10:10am CST

Stop Mimicking, Start Thinking LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B134

Speakers

Jerod Smith

Sr. Manager of School Partnership, Carnegie Learning

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B134 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

10:10am CST

Teaching Math Through Problem Solving as a Means of Promoting Student Engagement FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C204

Speakers

Nicole Blackburn

Instructional Coach, Grayslake Middle School

Andrew Friesema

Math Teacher, GMS

Hi! I'm an 8th grade math teacher at GMS. This is my first year in CCSD 46 after 19 years in Chicago Public Schools.

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C204 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

10:10am CST

The Ongoing Move to NGSS: Life Sciences LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C201

Speakers

Jamie Brongiel

Joey Philipp

Science Department Chair, Mundelein High School

Alyssa Wiltjer

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C201 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

10:10am CST

The Secret Magic to Literature Circle Success LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C203

Literature Circles, in my experience with teachers, have had hit or miss success. If you are committed to embracing the energy and power of student choice but not sure what’s getting in the way of these units fully clicking into place, this session is for you. In this session we will design Essential Question threads that unite book choices and give teachers the opportunity to focus on skill building and supplementary content. You’ll walk out of our session with at LEAST one fully planned unit!

Speakers

Amanda Cardenas

Curriculum Designer & Podcast Host, Mud and Ink Teaching

Amanda is a former veteran high school English teacher from the Illinois/Wisconsin border. Amanda specializes in backwards design, inquiry based curriculum and authors many articles on her website to help other teachers get started. She has taught AP Language, co-taught at multiple... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C203 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

10:10am CST

What's New in Middle and High School Books FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B118

Come and learn about Reader's Choice Awards: Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award for 4th - 8th grade and the Lincoln Award for high school readers. We will booktalk titles on these newest reads and share some ideas on how to run the program in your own school to allow students a voice!

Speakers

Jeanne' Aken

District Librarian, Beach Park School District 3

Deborah Altoff Will

IMC Coordinator, Zion-Benton Township H.S.District 126

For the past twenty-five years I have been a teacher-librarian at Zion-Benton Township High School. I also co-sponsor our drug prevention program, Healthy YOUth (Youth Opportunities Unlimited), and I am a board member of the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B118

Instruction, K-12 Librarians

10:10am CST

AI & Teaching LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C103

Speakers

Victoria Lobb

Instructional Technology Coach & English teacher, Grayslake Central High School

Scott Ewen

Technology Coach and AP Human Geography Teacher, Grayslake North

Husband, father, teacher, coach, world traveler.

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C103 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

10:10am CST

AI-mazing Differentiation: Tools to Tailor Your Teaching FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B127

Speakers

Matt Sherrill

Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Learning Technology Center of Illinois

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B127 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

10:10am CST

Empowering Educators with AI: A Practical Introduction LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C107

Speakers

Rahul Sethna

Ed Tech and Data Coach / Business Education Teacher, Mundelein High School

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C107 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

10:10am CST

Leveraging AI for Effective Teaching and Learning with MagicSchool AI FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C214

Uncover the limitless possibilities that MagicSchool can offer to enhance both student learning and educator effectiveness. Embark on this MAGICAL journey with us and discover the transformative impact of responsible AI integration in education.

Speakers

Kurt Beer

Senior Account Executive, MagicSchool AI

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C214 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

10:10am CST

Sync Your Steps: AI Tools to Enhance Your Teaching FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B139

Discover how AI can enhance your workflow, giving you valuable time back while supporting personalized learning, efficiency, and content creation. Explore ChatGPT, Magic School, and Parlay Genie through hands-on activities and leave with ready-to-use resources tailored to the work you do. Whether you’re seeking to optimize productivity or elevate classroom engagement, this session will empower you with practical tools to transform your work.

Speakers

Whitney Walsh

Sarah Ogborn

Instructional Coach, Antioch Community High School

Stacy Krabbe

Instruction Coach + Science Teacher, Antioch Community High School

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B139 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

10:10am CST

The Basics of Podcasting to Enhance Classroom Engagement FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B114

Discover how to bring podcasting into your schools with ease! This introductory session is designed for teachers who may feel unsure or intimidated by technology. You'll learn the basics of podcasting, from planning and recording to editing and sharing, with simple, accessible tools. Gain confidence as you explore how podcasting can enhance student engagement, creativity, and communication skills. No prior experience needed—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to try something new!

Speakers

Kelli Blakeslee

Library Media Specialist, Zion Elementary School District 6

Kerri Gilbert

Instructional Programs Coordinator, Zion Elementary School District 6

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B114 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology, K-12 Librarians

10:10am CST

The Transformative Potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C212

Speakers

Ron Chernobrov

Technology Specialist, Illinois Virtual Schools & Academy

Justin Milner

Illinois Virtual Schools & Academy

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C212 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

10:10am CST

Unlocking AI: Tools and Tips for Educators FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B112

Speakers

Kathy Strathman

Educational Technology Teacher, Antioch CCSD 34

Position at Company ABC.

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B112 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

10:10am CST

Using Google Tools to Create Digital Escapes FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room B116

Speakers

Tyra Stall

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room B116 1350 W. Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

10:10am CST

Writing Instruction in the Age of AI: Now What? FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Room C206

Educators’ responses to artificial intelligence (AI) range from banning it entirely to embracing it fully. Like all new technology, AI is a tool that can be used for good or not-so-good. Unfortunately, middle and high school writing teachers must now deal with students’ AI-generated papers. In this session, we will discuss the pros and cons of AI in writing instruction along with pedagogical approaches that help reduce adolescents’ inappropriate use of it.

Speakers

April D. Nauman

Professor of Literacy Education, Northeastern Illinois University

Dr. April Nauman has been teaching Literacy Education at Northeastern Illinois University since 2000. Her areas of expertise include writing instruction and adolescent literacy. If you're interested in possibly earning a Reading Teacher Endorsement or MA in Literacy Education/Reading... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Room C206 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

11:05am CST

Increasing Student Engagement in the Art Classroom LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C107

Discover strategies to captivate and inspire your elementary art students! This session will explore practical techniques for increasing student engagement, fostering creativity, and building a positive classroom environment. Learn how to use hands-on activities, interactive discussions, and innovative projects to spark excitement and participation. Walk away with fresh ideas and tools to help every student connect with and express themselves through art. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your art classroom experience!

Speakers

Alissa Webster

Art Teacher, Zion 6 School District Illinois

Nathan Sweet

Art Teacher, Zion Elementary Dist. 6

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C107 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

11:05am CST

Using Canva To Promote Literacy FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B118

Let's bring literacy to life with Canva! As librarians, reading teachers, and multilingual educators, we can design vibrant, customizable posters, reading challenges, and book recommendations to engage our community. Canva’s easy tools will help us create eye-catching materials that inspire a love of reading, encourage library participation, and make learning fun for all ages.
School Librarians can support our students with library programming through eye-catching posters, reading challenges, book recommendations, newsletters, social media, and more! Passive programming using Canva will ensure that you engage your patrons without overworking yourself. You can also use Canva to collaborate with classroom teachers to support instruction from afar!
Reading Teachers can use Canva to create engaging reading strategies, flashcards, and interactive worksheets that make learning to read exciting and effective. Whether it's for phonics practice, comprehension activities, or vocabulary building, Canva provides the perfect platform to bring creative and educational resources to life.
Multilingual Teachers can design bilingual or multilingual content to support diverse learners. Canva allows for seamless integration of various languages, helping students feel seen and supported as they develop their reading and language skills. With templates designed to accommodate multiple languages, educators can foster inclusive environments that celebrate cultural diversity and language acquisition.
Together, these tools enable us to make literacy accessible, enjoyable, and engaging for all learners!

Speakers

Sarah Duncan

Library Information Specialist, Mundelein Elementary District 75

Disclaimer: I belong to a community of wonderful librarians and educators. We share our resources and collaborate freely. Many of my ideas and resources come from or are adapted from the work of others.

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B118

11:05am CST

Be The Driving Force: Leading Your School on the Road to Equity FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C208

In this session, we will explore evidence-based best practices that teachers can use to ensure every student feels seen, heard, and supported in the classroom.

For school and district leaders, we’ll dive into actionable strategies to build and sustain systems that promote equity and excellence at all levels including student achievement, school vision and mission statement, and leadership practices.

Speakers

Dr. Don Parker

Keynote Speaker, DPCP Corporation

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C208 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management

11:05am CST

Every Child Has a Story: Supporting Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship Children FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B130

"Participants will be equipped and empowered to care for adopted, foster and kinship students with the following knowledge gains and skills:
The myths and misconceptions of adoption and foster care.
The complexities involved in assessing and supporting children with attachment and complex developmental traumas.
The tricky element of trust.
The profound impact of grief and loss on the brain, beliefs and biology.
How emotions and behaviors can look like mental health diagnoses and turn into them when not properly supported
Foundational principles for support of adoptive, foster and kinship students.
The benefits of coordination with parents for enhanced assessment, service utilization and improved student outcomes.
How to integrate parent perspectives and historical information for student success.
How to better navigate the divide between school policies and best practices for student support.
How incorporating this knowledge facilitates more equitable care and inclusive support.

Through this presentation you will be able to improve adopted, foster and kinship student outcomes through more compassionate and effective support of children and their families. It encompasses learning standards of knowledge, equity, transformational processes, culture of collaboration and leadership.

Speakers

Laura Adams

Founder and President, iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families

Laura is a dedicated advocate for children and families with over 30 years of experience across nonprofits, schools, churches, and businesses. After raising her own internationally adopted daughters, she founded iCARE4 Adoptive and Foster Families, and Sequoia Families to support... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B130 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management

11:05am CST

Mental Health Crisis Interventions from a Parent (and Teacher) perspective FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B132

When a student leaves school for a mental health program, how do we as teachers support them? This session explains what happens to kids who enter mental health programs from the child, parent, and teacher perspective. We will examine what the student's day in program looks like, and exactly how much work is appropriate while they are away. This will cover IOP, PHP, and inpatient programs.

We will also look at: parent concerns regarding cost/insurance, possible medical treatments, how the parents are involved in different levels of care, what the child actually goes through when entering a program, and what a transition back to school actually looks like for the child.

Speakers

Paul Cook

English Teacher, CHSD 117

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B132 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management

11:05am CST

Understanding and Caring For Vicarious Trauma: A Helper’s Guide LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room A120 Auditorium

This presentation equips educators with the knowledge and tools to understand and address vicarious trauma using the 5-Step Growth and Resiliency Model©, created by therapist and mental health advocate Audrey Grunst, LCSW. Participants will explore the effects of vicarious trauma, learn to navigate stress states, and develop strategies for self-awareness, resilience, and sustainable self-care. The session aims to support educators in prioritizing their well-being while maintaining their commitment to helping others.

Speakers

Audrey Grunst

CEO/Therapist, Simply Bee

Audrey Grunst has been a provider in the mental health field since 2007, most known for her therapy skills in outpatient and intensive therapeutic programs. She opened Simply Bee in 2018 after spending 10 years in residential, group homes, intensive outpatient and partial hospital... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room A120 Auditorium 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management, Social Emotional Learning/Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

11:05am CST

Building a Culture of Learning: Differentiation for Every Learner FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C207

The reality of teaching is that there are days where not all students are prepared to engage in the same exact activity. In this session, we will address how to meet a wide range of student needs and interests in the classroom. Teachers will discuss the logistics of creating differentiated, student-led stations, as well as a few lower-prep alternatives.

Speakers

Lauren Morley

Bilingual Math Teacher, Consortium for Teachers of Multilingual Learners in Secondary Mathematics

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C207 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

11:05am CST

Building Resilience Across Stakeholder Groups LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B131

Speakers

Lauren McArdle

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B131 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

11:05am CST

CSMS Tiger SEL Leaders: Empowering Students by Incorporating Students Voice LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B117

Does your middle school allow for your students to have a voice? Does your advisory program incorporate the voices/feedback of your students? Come join us as our Tiger SEL Leaders take you on our CSMS journey on how we have created students leadership opportunities that allow for students to have a voice within our advisory program.

Speakers

Tracy Fuentes

Dual Language/Multilingual Teacher, Mundelein Elementary District 75

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B117 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Engagement- Student or Educator

11:05am CST

Art for All, by All: Auditing Your Program for Equity and Community Impact LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C104

Uncover hidden inequities in your arts program with practical audit tools designed to align your curriculum with the needs of your school community. This session provides simple strategies to evaluate your program’s inclusivity and representation, ensuring every student sees themselves reflected in the art they create, study, or perform. Gain actionable insights to build a program that celebrates diversity, fosters equity, and meets the unique needs of your school’s population.

Speakers

Gerry James

Fine Arts Division Chair/Administrator, Lyons Township High School District 204

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C104

Fine Arts

11:05am CST

Every Second Counts: Music that inspires leadership LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C205

Speakers

Tom Cardamone

Principal: Harvard Junior High School, Harvard CUSD50

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C205 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Fine Arts

11:05am CST

Music For All - Helping All Learners Succeed in Music! FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B147

Student success often means a variety of needs...So how to you accommodate and modify in your Music Class! This is a learn and share class so bring you ideas with you to share with all who attend!

Speakers

Sarah Amrein

Music Teacher, Antioch District #34

I have been teaching music for over 20 years in both Milwaukee Wi and Antioch, Il. I am a mother of twin middle schoolers and my husband is a 2nd grade teacher in a neighboring school district.

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B147

Fine Arts

11:05am CST

Building Bridges to College Success: Backward Design for Honors, Dual Credit and Transitional Preparation FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C202

More students are earning college credit in high school, and our goal is to help them gain the skills they need to succeed. This panel will demonstrate how working backward from university-level syllabi can help educators create structured preparatory steps. This exercise can be used by honors, dual credit, and transitional teachers, focusing mostly on junior and senior year students. Our presentation will have teachers explore university-level syllabi in order to create steps to ready students.

Speakers

Anna Kaszuba

Colin Franklin

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C202 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

11:05am CST

Career Exploration in a Middle School Environment FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B145

Learn how to introduce career exploration in your middle school classroom with simple and engaging strategies! This session will provide practical activities to help students discover their interests, strengths, and potential career paths. Explore ways to integrate career awareness into existing subjects through hands-on projects, creative resources, and community connections. Help your students start thinking about their futures in meaningful and impactful ways.

Speakers

Krystal Pipes

Career Explorations, Zion 6 School District Illinois

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B145 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

11:05am CST

Communication Skills 101 LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B140

Speakers

Danielle Carter

Assistant Superintendent for HR, Grayslake High School District 127

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B140

General, Admin Assistants/ Secretary

11:05am CST

Instructional Coaches Connect LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C204

Speakers

Tyra Stall

Randie Reynolds

Classroom Teacher/Instructional Coach, CHSD 117

Travis Shepherd

Math/ Instructional Coach, Lakes Community HS

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C204 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

11:05am CST

IVSA's Slam Dunk Solutions: Filling Gaps and Supporting Students LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C212

Join us to explore how Illinois Virtual Schools & Academy (IVSA) is addressing the unique challenges faced by students through innovative virtual solutions. IVSA helps schools ensure that all students continue to progress academically, even amidst teacher shortages and resource gaps. IVSA offers three solutions: Teacher Shortage, Single-Course, and a Full-Time Academy. These are flexible and cost-effective solutions that can be customized to meet the specific needs of each school. Join us to learn about IVSA, the reimbursement from ISBE, and the strategies that work to partner with schools around the state.

Speakers

Ed Cook

Operations Coordinator, Illinois Virtual School & Academy

Melissa Lundgaard

Executive Director, Illinois Virtual Schools & Academy

Melissa is the Executive Director of Illinois Virtual Schools & Academy, overseeing the Supplemental & Credit Recovery Solutions, Teacher Shortage Solutions, and the Full-Time Academy. Melissa has worked in education since 1994, having served various leadership roles in high school... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C212 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

11:05am CST

Resources to Support Newcomer Students FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B115

Speakers

Wayne Eichen

National Account Executive, Savvas Learning

Wayne has been dedicated to using technology to increase student achievement for over 30 years, as a consultant, trainer, Account Executive, Area VP of Sales, and currently serves as the National Account Executive for Supplemental, Acceleration, and Assessment programs at Savvas Learning... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B115 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

11:05am CST

Schools as Sorting Machines LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B137

Exploring the profound impact of academic tracking, this workshop examines how student sorting practices can perpetuate educational inequities. Educators will investigate strategies to create inclusive learning environments supporting students across diverse backgrounds and readiness levels. Attendees will network with districts implementing equitable academic structures designed to expand learning opportunities and challenge systemic educational barriers.

Speakers

Shawn Messmer

Stacey Gorman

Teacher, Mundelein High School District 120

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B137 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

11:05am CST

Simplifying Special Programs FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B128

According to the National Coalition on Personnel Shortages in Special Education and Related Services, 98% of school districts report special education staff shortages. Leading causes include excessive time spent on paperwork and unmanageable workloads. Come learn best practices districts are using with modern documentation software to significantly reduce time spent on paperwork, prevent compliance issues, and promote collaboration district-wide. Note: Vendor presentation

Speakers

Elizabeth Surfus

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B128 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

Company SameGoal

11:05am CST

TitleWise Collection Analysis for analyzing, weeding and building your library collection LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B114

Titlewave is an online collection development and curriculum support tool for librarians and school administrators. This session will cover how you can utilize Titlewave's TitleWise Collection Analysis to analyze, weed, and build your library collection.

Speakers

Joe Folliard

Content Consultant, Follett Content Solutions

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B114 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General, K-12 Librarians

11:05am CST

What Teacher Leaders Want You to Know About Professional Development LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B136

Is the professional development in your building helping teacher grow? Or is it holding them back? In this session we will share feedback from teacher leaders all over Illinois regarding thier feelings about the current state of PD in their schools- and what they wish thier administration would recognize about thier professional development needs.

Speakers

Renee Gugel

I began my career in education as a high school English and Theatre teacher. Additionally, I have served as Dean of Students, Department Chair, and Associate Principal in school districts in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. After twenty years in the public school system... Read More →

Geri Chesner

Associate Professor, National Louis University

Geri Chesner, Ph.D., is the chair of Strategic Educational Leadership programs at National Louis University. She is dedicated to supporting and nurturing leaders in all educational contexts.

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B136 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

General

11:05am CST

"Science of Reading" Hits and Misses FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B104

In this session we will interrogate the claims made in the Science of Reading (SOR) movement through reflection on the sources of our current "reading crisis" compared to historical tends and the current inequity gap for students in poverty, students from minority races, students with special needs, and multilingual learners.

Speakers

Bill Sullivan

Teacher - 6th ELA, Gavin School District 37

My career spans 24 years or so, with 14 years teaching in high schools (Warren Township, Niles Township) and 10 in middle school. The words "middle school" usually fall on uncomprehending ears, and people generally react in one of three ways: 1. "I could never handle middle schoolers... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B104 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

11:05am CST

Exploring Real World Phenomena Using the Science and Engineering Practices FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C201

Phenomena are science superpowers that transform otherwise dull lessons into a mystery students are excited to unravel. Come hear how real-world phenomena are used to drive engagement and enhance student learning of important scientific concepts. This session explores integrating real-world phenomena into high school biology and chemistry. Discover how CRISPR technology and wildfire impacts are used to inspire inquiry and help students do the work of professional scientists. Come with "phenomenal" ideas to share.

Speakers

Aaron Dame

Science Teacher, Mundelein High School

Trevor Hitzler

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C201 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

11:05am CST

If you get it and you know it clap your hands! Enhancing Math Instruction for MLs Using the C.O.R.E. Framework FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B133

Speakers

Maggie Munoz

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B133 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

11:05am CST

Navig8 Lake: Exploring Careers Across Lake County LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B107

Speakers

Carolyn Corcoran

CTE & CCR Curriculum and Instruction Specialist, Round Lake Area School District

Ask me about Work Based Learning! College and Career Pathway Endorsements! Hosting a large scale Career Exploration Event!

Ali Finn

Director of College and Career Readiness, Lake Zurich Community Unity District 95

Blair Schoell

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B107

Instruction

11:05am CST

New Mandates -Acceleration Procedures for Gifted/ Talented and Advance Students LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B129

I would like to present the new Mandates from the State and Procedure Guidelines as recently issued by the Illinois Association for Gifted Children. I recently completed the coursework and training on trends and issue surrounding selections and instruction for advanced students and differentiation.I have been the Coordinator for Zion 6's Honors-Talented and Gifted Program for 4.5 years. I believe all teachers should be aware of the clues and signals to identify advance students and know how best to serve Twice Exceptional Students as well. I am happy to forward a brief presentation if required.

Speakers

Jacqueline Thomas-Veal

Academic Enrichment Coordinator, Zion 6 School District Illinois

I am the Academic Enrichment Coordinator for Zion Elementary School District 6. I received my B.A. degree from Wayne State University, my MAT Trinity International University,M.Ed, from Concordia University, I am currently a Ph.D. candidate at DePaul University. I am extremely interested... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B129 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

11:05am CST

Prioritize Student Voice Through Inquiry, Media, and Collaboration in Social Studies FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B112

Learn how to combine the building blocks of inquiry: questions, sources, and tasks, with captivating videos and collaborative learning activities that will intrigue students and get them up and talking about social studies. Walk away with an easy-to-use structure for daily inquiry, routines to get your students engaged in discussion tomorrow, and an introduction to Imagine Learning’s brand new, cutting-edge social studies curriculum, Traverse!

Speakers

Tom Stricklin

Curriculum Advisor, Imagine Learning

Passionate about coherence, effective instructional leadership, the marriage of building thinking classrooms with problem based learning, culturally responsive instruction and equitable grading.

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B112 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

Company Imagine Learning

11:05am CST

Stop Mimicking, Start Thinking FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B134

Speakers

Jerod Smith

Sr. Manager of School Partnership, Carnegie Learning

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B134 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

11:05am CST

The Secret Magic to Literature Circle Success LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C203

Speakers

Amanda Cardenas

Curriculum Designer & Podcast Host, Mud and Ink Teaching

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C203 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

11:05am CST

Transitioning to the ACT: An Introduction to the ACT College & Career Readiness Assessment System LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B138

Speakers

George Schlott

Senior Account Executive and State Lead for Illinois, ACT Client Relations

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B138 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Instruction

11:05am CST

Building AI-Savvy Students: Strategies for Any Classroom FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B127

AI Literacy is a vital skill for students, but many educators are left wondering where to even start the crucial conversation with students about safe, ethical, and responsible use of AI. This workshop offers practical strategies and resources for educators to seamlessly integrate AI Literacy into any subject area, including pre-made lesson plans, interactive activities, engaging student-facing tools, and quick discussion starters that make introducing AI concepts simple and effective.

Speakers

Matt Sherrill

Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Learning Technology Center of Illinois

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B127 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

11:05am CST

From Doodling to Da Vinci: Get Artsy with AI FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C130

Unleash your inner artist with the power of AI! This workshop explores how AI tools can transform your doodles into masterpieces. From image generation and photo editing to music composition and podcast creation, discover how AI can amplify your creative potential. Get hands-on with cutting-edge AI and leave inspired to create like never before!

Speakers

Eric C. Santos

Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Learning Technology Center

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C130 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

11:05am CST

Fun Free Formative Assessment Tools That Aren't Kahoot FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C103

Are you looking for some tools to spice up your formative assessment? Come learn about the wonders of Plickers, Quizizz, Desmos (Card Sort and Polygraph), Socrative, Blooket, and more in this interactive workshop. Bring an internet-connected device to experience what each of these tools has to offer for your class, no matter the subject.

Speakers

Marissa Grayson

Math Teacher, Mundelein High School

I am in my 12th year of teaching, and third year teaching math at Mundelein High School. I currently teach Algebra I, Algebra 2/Trig, and Transitional Math. In previous years, I have also taught Algebra I, Honors Geometry, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, Honors Integrated... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C103 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

11:05am CST

Getting Hands on With Gen AI to Personalize Learning FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C213

Join us to get Hands-on with Gen AI. Learn the fundamentals of AI, explore tools for personalizing learning, and discover how AI can enhance your teaching and preparation. Leave with practical and customized Playlab apps designed by LEAP Innovations.

Speakers

Stephanie Cardella

Executive Director of Strategy, LEAP Innovations

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C213 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

11:05am CST

Leveraging AI for Effective Teaching and Learning with MagicSchool AI FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C214

Speakers

Kurt Beer

Senior Account Executive, MagicSchool AI

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C214 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

11:05am CST

Teacher & Student-Created Animated GIFs to Support Instruction and Creativity FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B139

Speakers

Dr. Jason Meltzer

Technology Teacher and Coach, Oak Grove School District #68

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B139 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

11:05am CST

The Not So Podcast, Podcast Part Deux! LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room B116

We will expand our discussions on topics that concern students and impact their learning.

Speakers

Winona Jackson

Teacher, Beach Park School District #3

Jessica Lauret

Teacher, Beach Park School District #3

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room B116 1350 W. Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

11:05am CST

Writing Instruction in the Age of AI: Now What? FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST

Room C206

Speakers

April D. Nauman

Professor of Literacy Education, Northeastern Illinois University

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55am CST
Room C206 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Technology

11:05am CST

Overcome Unconscious Bias LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55pm CST

Room C211

Speakers

Angel Arnold, LCPC, NCC

DEI Consultant and Therapist, Simply Bee

Friday February 14, 2025 11:05am - 11:55pm CST
Room C211 1350 West Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL 60060, USA

Climate/Classroom Management

12:00pm CST

Lunch/ Vendor Session FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Cafeteria

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Cafeteria

12:00pm CST

Caring For The Caregiver: Conversations On Trauma FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Room C206

Speakers

Audrey Grunst

CEO/Therapist, Simply Bee

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Room C206 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management, Social Emotional Learning/Diversity

12:00pm CST

AI in Administration: Ethics, Transparency, and Practical Use LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Room C104

Navigate the ethical landscape of generative AI in educational leadership. This session explores the responsible use of AI for teacher evaluations, staff and parent communications, and creative tasks like sign and image creation. Learn practical strategies for transparency and effective communication when addressing AI use as an administrator. Equip yourself with insights to harness AI’s potential while maintaining trust and professionalism in your school community.

Speakers

Gerry James

Fine Arts Division Chair/Administrator, Lyons Township High School District 204

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Room C104

Wellness/Articulation

12:00pm CST

Board & Brush Painting Session! LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Art Room 35- 36

“Tap into your creative side by joining us for a Board & Brush painting session! No need to be artistic! You will receive one of their @home kits with everything you need to paint a stenciled design on pre-stained wood. Choose from a variety of design options when you walk in! Customize your piece with the paint colors you choose during the session!”

Speakers

Ashley Schulz

Special Education Teacher, AUGS

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Art Room 35- 36

Wellness/Articulation

12:00pm CST

Building Trust One Drop at a Time LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Room B140

Round table discussion where all participants will share their strategies, knowledge and tips on how to build trust during every interaction.

Speakers

Danielle Carter

Assistant Superintendent for HR, Grayslake High School District 127

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Room B140

Wellness/Articulation

12:00pm CST

Burning Up Instead of Burning Out: Educator Physical, Intellectual and Emotional Well-being FILLING

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Room C208

Warning! If you are not open to opening up and being vulnerable and lending an ear and providing emotional support to other educators, this is not the session for you!
This is an interactive sharing and listening session that empowers educators to develop habits that enhance physical health, foster intellectual growth, and nurture emotional resilience. This is a hands-on session that supports educators to thrive professionally and personally, ensuring you can inspire students without compromising your own health and happiness.

Speakers

Dr. Don Parker

Keynote Speaker, DPCP Corporation

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Room C208 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Wellness/Articulation

12:00pm CST

Intervention Round Table FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Room B116

Come share ideas of what intervention looks like at your school. We'll discuss things that are working and things that we are still looking for ways to improve. We'll share professional development that has been helpful and management systems that people are using. The best way to learn is from each other so come and share your expertise.

Speakers

Sean Connor

Academic Interventionist, District 117

Math, English, and EF Interventionist

Jill Farrell

Intervention Specialist

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Room B116 1350 W. Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL 60060

Wellness/Articulation

12:00pm CST

Let's talk about AI FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Room B127

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Room B127 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Wellness/Articulation

12:00pm CST

Leveling Up With SEL LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Room C130

The sessions will discuss ways to use bite-sized SEL strategies to build stronger student relationships and enhance a supportive and safe learning environment. Strategies will include the exploration of opportunities for active and open communication, the roles of structure and flexibility of expectations and routines, and activities to increase student engagement.

Speakers

Geoffrey Williams

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Room C130 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Wellness/Articulation

12:00pm CST

Messages of the Monarch – How to Find Your Wings and Fly LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Room B131

Discover how the Monarch butterfly’s life journey reveals powerful lessons for navigating personal transformation. Through authentic storytelling, Cheri shares how shedding old beliefs, embracing change, and stepping into the unknown can unlock your true potential, empowering you to rise stronger, freer, and more confident. This engaging session includes thought-provoking prompts and time to consider how to apply these principles to your own life, followed by a live coaching opportunity with Cheri.
Key Takeaways:

The Power of Perspective: Learn to reframe hardships as catalysts for personal growth.
Shedding Limiting Beliefs: Identify and release the mental and emotional layers that hold you back.
Trusting the Transformation: Embrace uncertainty as a necessary part of personal evolution.
Discovering Your Wings: Unlock your hidden potential and take inspired action to live a more empowered life.

Speakers

Cheri L. Neal

Supervisor, Zion Township

Being a certified life coach since 2006 and having raised Monarch butterflies for 24 years AND serving in public service, I am passionate about helping others find their wings and fly.

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Room B131 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Wellness/Articulation

12:00pm CST

Yoga FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Room A121A - Upper Gym

Speakers

Rachel Chenier

Yoga Instructor/Executive Director, Family First Center of Lake County

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Room A121A - Upper Gym 1350 West Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL 60060, USA

Wellness/Articulation

12:00pm CST

Zentangling: The art of stress relief FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Room C107

In this session, we will be taking doodling to the next level. Teachers will learn to use the Art of doodling and turning it into Zentangling as a method to relax, unwind and relief stress. To embrace the journey of creating something, instead of the outcome of what it look like.

Speakers

Amy Pieniazkiewicz-Grude

Art Teacher, Antioch CCSD 34

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Room C107 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Wellness/Articulation

12:00pm CST

Zumba LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Room D08 North Gym

Speakers

Catherine (Kay) Witmer

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Room D08 North Gym 1350 West Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL 60060, USA

Wellness/Articulation

12:00pm CST

“Teaching Today Just Feels… Different”: An Honest Conversation About Teaching in 2025 and the Challenges That Come with the Anxious Generation LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST

Room A120 Auditorium

This session will focus on current issues that are limiting the growth of our students and the role that social media has played in the rewiring of kids and teens today. Using information from Jonathan Haidt’s New York Times Best Selling book,The Anxious Generation, this session will discuss numerous calls to action for all educators and give advice on how we can work together to combat the challenges that come with being an educator today, tomorrow, and in the future.

Speakers

Josy Bosworth

English Teacher, Grant Community High School

I currently teach Honors English 10 and English 10 at Grant Community High School. I have been teaching at Grant for 15 years. I am passionate about teaching and have always been interested and invested in building a culture within the classroom. Outside of work, I enjoy doing house... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 12:00pm - 12:55pm CST
Room A120 Auditorium 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Wellness/Articulation

1:00pm CST

Lunch/ Vendor Session LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST

Cafeteria

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST
Cafeteria

1:00pm CST

Caring For The Caregiver: Conversations On Trauma FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST

Room C206

Speakers

Audrey Grunst

CEO/Therapist, Simply Bee

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST
Room C206 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Climate/Classroom Management, Social Emotional Learning/Diversity

1:00pm CST

AI in Administration: Ethics, Transparency, and Practical Use LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST

Room C104

Speakers

Gerry James

Fine Arts Division Chair/Administrator, Lyons Township High School District 204

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST
Room C104

Wellness/Articulation

1:00pm CST

Board & Brush Painting Session! LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST

Art Room 35- 36

Speakers

Ashley Schulz

Special Education Teacher, AUGS

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST
Art Room 35- 36

Wellness/Articulation

1:00pm CST

Building Trust One Drop at a Time FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST

Room B140

Round table discussion where all participants will share their strategies, knowledge and tips on how to build trust during every interaction.

Speakers

Danielle Carter

Assistant Superintendent for HR, Grayslake High School District 127

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST
Room B140

Wellness/Articulation

1:00pm CST

Burning Up Instead of Burning Out: Educator Physical, Intellectual and Emotional Well-being FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST

Room C208

Warning! If you are not open to opening up and being vulnerable and lending an ear and providing emotional support to other educators, this is not the session for you!

This is an interactive sharing and listening session that empowers educators to develop habits that enhance physical health, foster intellectual growth, and nurture emotional resilience. This is a hands-on session that supports educators to thrive professionally and personally, ensuring you can inspire students without compromising your own health and happiness.

Speakers

Dr. Don Parker

Keynote Speaker, DPCP Corporation

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST
Room C208 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Wellness/Articulation

1:00pm CST

Let's talk about AI FULL

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST

Room B127

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST
Room B127 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Wellness/Articulation

1:00pm CST

Leveling Up With SEL LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST

Room C130

Speakers

Geoffrey Williams

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST
Room C130 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Wellness/Articulation

1:00pm CST

Messages of the Monarch – How to Find Your Wings and Fly LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST

Room B131

The Power of Perspective: Learn to reframe hardships as catalysts for personal growth.
Shedding Limiting Beliefs: Identify and release the mental and emotional layers that hold you back.
Trusting the Transformation: Embrace uncertainty as a necessary part of personal evolution.
Discovering Your Wings: Unlock your hidden potential and take inspired action to live a more empowered life.

Speakers

Cheri L. Neal

Supervisor, Zion Township

Being a certified life coach since 2006 and having raised Monarch butterflies for 24 years AND serving in public service, I am passionate about helping others find their wings and fly.

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST
Room B131 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Wellness/Articulation

1:00pm CST

Taming the Inner Storm: Cultivating Resilience in the Face of Anxiety and Stress LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST

Room B136

Today teachers and their students are feeling more overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed than ever before. If you agree, you're not alone. This session will explore the impact of anxiety and stress on our daily lives and provide practical tools to navigate these challenges. This session will guide you on a journey to understand your own stress response and develop greater resilience. We'll delve into the connection between mind and body, exploring how anxiety manifests and offering effective strategies to manage its effects. Through a blend of instruction, reflection, and easy to implement practices, you'll learn tangible techniques to calm the mind and build your zone of resiliency. Join us to discover how to weather life's storms with greater ease and build a stronger foundation for emotional well-being and how to translate that to our students.

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST
Room B136 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060

Wellness/Articulation

1:00pm CST

Teacher Licensure Pathway Info Session with Grand Canyon University LIMITED

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 1:55pm CST

Room B128

Join us for an informative session on the Teacher Licensure Pathway, where we will explore the steps to becoming a licensed educator. This presentation will cover essential details about GCU’s online program, including licensure options, time to completion, cost, and available scholarships and grants. We will also discuss the support resources available to help you navigate the process with confidence. Whether you're starting your journey or looking to advance your career in education, this session will provide the guidance and answers you need. Don't miss this opportunity to take the next step toward your teaching career!

Speakers