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Dear Lake County Community,
A new year brings new opportunities, and at the Lake County Regional Office of Education, we are energized by what’s ahead. As 2026 begins, our focus remains on strengthening the support, services, and innovative programs that help students, educators, and schools across Lake County thrive and succeed. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing our shared work in service of learning across our communities.
We are also excited to share that we will be gradually transitioning into our new building in early 2026. This intentional, phased move allows us to continue serving our schools and partners without disruption, while positioning us for continued growth and expanded opportunities.
As we look ahead, we are energized by the possibilities this new chapter brings and look forward to a year defined by collaboration, progress, and meaningful impact across Lake County.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Karner
Regional Superintendent of Schools
Lake County, Illinois
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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. | | | | |
Congratulations, Pia Pinello!
Congratulations to Pia Pinello, our Director of Finance, on her recent graduation from Northern Illinois University, where she earned her Master of Science in Education and CSBO certification. Her continued commitment to professional growth strengthens the work we do in support of districts across Lake County. We are so proud of you, Pia!
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Explore New Learning Opportunities with IVSA
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IVSA and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are partnering to pilot new dual credit courses that allow qualifying high school students to earn college credit while still in high school.
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IVSA is excited to offer new courses this semester, including EmpowerU for mental wellness and PE credit, Digital Photography, Recorder Superstars, Agriscience I & II, and Veterinary Science—giving students fun, hands-on ways to explore their interests and build skills.
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Example Academy is the nation’s first all-girls preparatory academy, partnering with IVSA to support student-athletes in balancing high-level competition with strong academics as they prepare for college and beyond.
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IVSA eGaming Club Returns! Registration is now open for Spring 2026. Students can practice, compete, and build STEM skills through weekly gaming sessions and online tournaments.
{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 Rising is once again hosting its annual youth contest, inviting middle school students to submit original artwork and high school students to share their creativity through art, essays, or poetry. This year’s theme—“Reclaim. Resist. Rise. Against abuse. Against toxic norms. For every girl’s right to be real.”—encourages young people to reflect on strength, empowerment, and change. Contest details and entry forms are attached; please help share this opportunity with students, teachers, and youth leaders. Submissions are due January 19, 2026, with winners notified by February 2 and recognized at the Lake County Rising program on February 9 at the College of Lake County. For more information | | |
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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Administrator Academy
AA#3952 – Professional Development in a Box: SEL, Inquiry, and Critical Thinking Through Engaging Discussions - January 28th
This professional development course guides school administrators in using a 3-step conversation protocol to foster inquiry, SEL, and critical thinking with faculty. Participants will practice the protocol, engage in an online adult learning community, and create a conversation plan to implement at their school, with ongoing support from Teach Different. [Register Here]
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We’re excited to announce that registration for the 2026 Lake County Joy Summit is now open! Mark your calendars for January 31, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, as we gather once again for a day of inspiration, connection, and uplift.
As a special thank-you, the first 100 people to register will receive a custom 2026 calendar created and designed by none other than one of our featured speakers, Jason Kotecki.
Our 2026 speaker lineup will bring unique insights and powerful messages, featuring:
- Jason Kotecki
- Dr. Dominique Pritchett
- Amber Swenor
[Register Here] Lake County Joy Summit
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February 27-28, 2026– Save the Date for Illinois Teacher Leadership Summit 2026!
The summit will be held February 27-28th, 2026, at the Holiday Inn in Normal, IL. Registration has begun and you can get an early bird special rate here.
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SAVE THE DATE
Educators Rising Annual Conference
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Don't miss the opportunity to plan for your future as an educator while networking with leaders in education and fellow high school students from across the state! Middle/High School Students and their current educators can receive professional development from engaging experts. Attend the Future Educator Resource fair to visit with educational institutions from across Illinois. Take advantage of optional activities such as skills-attainment competitions and campus tours.
For more information, email educatorsrising@ieanea.org or call (815)713-4788.
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Upcoming Changes to Reciprocity – Effective January 1, 2026
Please be aware that changes to reciprocity requirements are coming. Beginning January 1, 2026, educators seeking licensure in Illinois through reciprocity will be required to pass the applicable Illinois content area test(s) in addition to submitting official transcripts and holding a valid out-of-state license. Educators considering reciprocity are encouraged to plan ahead and begin preparing early.
Licensure Appointments Now Available in Multiple Formats
Educators can now schedule licensure support appointments in the format that works best for them. Appointments are available via phone call, virtual meeting, or in person. If you have questions about licensure, renewals, endorsements, or approvals, we encourage you to book an appointment through our website: https://www.lake.k12.il.us/book-online
License Renewal Season Approaching
License renewal season is coming up soon. Educators will be able to begin renewing their licenses starting April 1st. We strongly recommend completing renewals as early as possible to avoid delays and to prevent the risk of a license lapse, which could impact employment eligibility.
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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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