As we transition into our new ROE building, we want to ensure our partners and community members know where to go for services. Our Vernon Hills (West) office will remain open for all front-facing services, including Safe School, Educator Licensure, Fingerprinting, Bus Driver Training, GED, and Work Permits, until further notice. The Lake Forest (East) location will primarily be used for Professional Development at this time. Unless your event or appointment specifically lists Lake Forest, all services will take place at the Vernon Hills location. | | |
After 13 years of dedicated service to the Regional Office of Education, we congratulate Pam Cooper on her retirement. As Chief Licensure Officer, Pam supported countless educators with expertise, patience, and care, making a lasting impact across the region. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her all the best in her next chapter.
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Edgewood Student named IL State Champion in Track 2 of the Presidential AI Challenge
An 8th-grade student from Edgewood Middle School, Luc Sever, has been named Illinois State Champion in Track 2 of the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge. His project, “Personalized News,” uses AI to tailor news content based on user interests, age, and reading level, making information more accessible to young audiences. Luc’s achievement highlights not only his technical skill, but also his persistence, problem-solving, and commitment to responsible AI design. This recognition reflects the strong support and innovative learning environment at North Shore School District 112.
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The Lake County Educator of the Year Awards celebrate the extraordinary educators who make a lasting difference in the lives of students every day. Now in its fifth year, this annual event honors outstanding teachers, administrators, and support staff whose dedication, leadership, and passion strengthen schools and communities across Lake County.
Presented by the LCROE Foundation, the Educator of the Year Banquet brings together educators, families, and community partners to recognize excellence in education and reflect on the collective impact of those who go above and beyond to support student success. Visit our website for details.
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Lake County Spelling Bee Champion Advances to Nationals
The Lake County Regional Office of Education crowned Aditi Mopur of Barrington Middle School–Prairie Campus as the 2026 Regional Spelling Bee Champion after 17 rounds of competition. She will advance to represent Lake County at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Aditi was also featured in an exclusive in-studio interview on ABC7. Congratulations to all participants and best of luck to Aditi on the national stage! Click here to view the ABC7 Interview.
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Summer SPARK: Summer SPARK is a two-week virtual enrichment adventure where students explore their creativity, curiosity, and future careers through hands-on courses. From art, music, and world languages, to coding, robotics, design challenges and real-world skills like finance and entrepreneurship, learners discover new passions, while building confidence and practical skills. The cost is $125 and includes optional LIVE instruction each day, June 15-26.
Summer SPARK Course Description
Three Ways Students Can Stay Connected This Summer
Catch Up & Move Forward (Grades 6-12th)
Some students need the chance to regain momentum. Summer is a powerful time to complete credit recovery courses and get back on track for graduation, or even get ahead and create space in their future schedules.
Stay Sharp in the Foundations (Grades K-5th)
Our Summer Bootcamp helps younger learners stay connected to math and reading during the summer months. With engaging, structured support, students can maintain (and even grow!) the skills that set them up for success in the fall.
Explore, Create, and Discover (Grades 3–12th)
Summer is also the perfect time for students to explore new interests. Through enrichment opportunities in art, music, world languages, CTE, STEM, and financial literacy, students can discover passions, build confidence, and connect learning to the real world. Register for SUMMER SPARK today!
{click on the IVSA newsletter link below to read more}
| | | Lake County ROE Services & Contact Information | | At the Lake County Regional Office of Education, we are committed to providing a range of services to support education and community needs. Below is a list of the services we offer. Learn more or book an appointment by clicking the buttons below. | |
Lake County Announces America 250 Student Art and Essay Contest
To mark America’s 250th anniversary, Lake County is inviting kindergarten through twelfth-grade students to participate in the K-12 Art and Essay Contest, “We the People: America Through My Eyes.”
The contest encourages students to explore what America means to them and express it through art or writing. It is among a variety of activities that the County has planned to celebrate America’s anniversary. More info...
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Friends of Moraine Hills State Park offers TWO scholarships for $3000 each for outstanding Illinois students pursuing an environmental science or natural science degree. Applications are due by April 30th, for the school year starting in fall. More info...
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Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides FREE books to Lake County residents (birth to 5)
All Lake County families can now enroll in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, thanks to the Lake County Regional Office of Education Foundation (LCROEF). This cherished program delivers free, high-quality books each month to children from birth to age five, regardless of income.
Enroll a child here.
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Supporting Well-Being
The Lake County ROE has partnered with ReferralGPS to help students, staff, and families find local mental health and substance use resources. The service includes a searchable database and Care Navigation for triage, appointment scheduling, and follow-up, complementing existing district supports.
School families may access ReferralGPS in two ways
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DITCHED Con is looking for educators, leaders, instructional coaches, and innovators to lead engaging sessions that push thinking and elevate practice. Whether you're sharing impactful classroom strategies, leadership insights, innovative uses of technology, instructional coaching practices, or creative approaches to student engagement, we want to hear from you.
Submit your proposal and join a community committed to doing education differently. Click here to submit your proposal to present
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Administrator Academy
AA #4025 AI in Action: A Leader's Guide to Implementation - April 23, 2026 9 am - 12 pm (In-Person @ Vernon Hills Office) [Register Here]
AA #2001 - Illinois Performance Evaluation - Teacher Evaluation Training - April 27-28, 2026 8 am - 3:30 pm (Zoom) [Register Here]
AA #1448 Teacher Evaluator Competency Skill Building for Pre-Qualified Teacher Evaluators - April 29, 2026 8:30 am - 3:30 pm (Zoom)
[Register Here]
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Final Call: GYO Special Education Pathway
The GYO Lake County Special Education Pathway with Northeastern Illinois University is still accepting applicants for Fall 2026. Flexible online/Lake County courses and up to $25,000 in financial support are available. Apply soon or complete your application materials. Questions? Contact Dr. John Mendes (847-802-9287).
NEIU Principal Endorsement Cohort – Summer 2026
Northeastern Illinois University is launching an M.A. in Educational Leadership (Principal Endorsement) cohort for Lake County districts. The virtual program offers a discounted total cost of $15,000 over two years. To reserve a spot, email Jennifer Grzelak or Dr. Noreen Powers by May 1, 2026. More info..
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AI in Education Conference
June 12, 2026 | Virtual
National Louis University will host a virtual conference exploring the role of AI in education, featuring research, innovative practices, and perspectives from educators and scholars. Proposals are also being accepted through April 27, 2026.
Register or submit a proposal: HERE
Conference website
SELCON 2026: Connecting Across Communities
June 25, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | NLU Lisle Campus
This statewide conference brings together educators and leaders to explore social-emotional learning through workshops, collaboration, and practical strategies for schools.
Register
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Save the Date
Whitney M. Young Jr. Awards Breakfast
Friday, April 24, 2026 | 7:30–9:00 a.m.
Chevy Chase Country Club, Wheeling
Join Scouting America Northeast Illinois Council for this annual breakfast honoring individuals and organizations making a difference in the lives of youth. Proceeds support the Discover Scouts Outreach Program, serving more than 300 youth in Waukegan and Zion at no cost to families.
Nominations are now open for the Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award.
Deadline: February 15, 2026
Questions? Contact Rebecca Minsley at rebecca.minsley@scouting.org
or 847-527-9634.
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Renewal Season Opened April 1st
2026 renewal season runs from April 1st to August 31 st. You must login to your ELIS account to complete this process. If you are required to complete PD or Administrator Academies in your current cycle, this must be
completed prior to renewing your license. Substitute teachers and paraprofessionals are not required to enter professional development.
If you do not recall your username or password, or your retrieval email has changed, you must call the state directly at 217-782-4321 for password assistance. Stay on the line through all the messages for a live person.
Unfortunately, the ROE does not have the ability to assist with password retrieval or email reset.
Short-term Substitute License
Interested in substitute teaching but do not hold a bachelor’s degree? Did you know, if you have completed 60 college credits from a regionally accredited college/university you may qualify for the short-term substitute license (STS). There is a $25 fee to apply for the license. More Info Here and official transcript is required.
This license type does have some restrictions.
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Must complete substitute training HERE($25 fee)
- Cannot work more than 5 consecutive days for the same educator
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION -NEW GRADE RANGE COMING
In response to district concerns for locating properly licensed teachers for kindergarten positions, ISBE will be pursuing changes to expand the grade range for the elementary license to cover kindergarten through grade 6.
(currently issued as 1-6) The change will occur in two phases.
PHASE 1: SCHOOL YEAR 2025-2026
If you currently hold the elementary license issued as grades 1-6, you may apply for the short-term approval for kindergarten in your ELIS account. There is a $50 application fee. The approval will be valid for three years.
More info here
If you are assigned to teach kindergarten, you must hold an endorsement that covers kindergarten grade range or the
new short-term approval.
PHASE 2: SCHOOL YEAR 2026-2027
ISBE will create rules for the new Kindergarten through Grade 6 endorsement to be finalized by the start of the 2026-
2027 school year
| | Classroom Field Trips: Bring your classroom to the farm for a hands-on outdoor learning experience where students discover where food and clothing come from, and how people, plants, and animals are connected. Click for more information | | |
Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (I/ECMHC) connects a mental health consultant with adults caring for young children in settings like child care, preschool, home visiting, and early intervention. It’s not therapy or behavior modification—consultation helps caregivers support children’s social and emotional development.
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