JANUARY 29, 2025

Members of our team have had the fortune of working with Dr. Tony Sanders dating back to his time in Kane County leading District U-46. Last week, we welcomed our State Superintendent of Education back to the ROE as he spoke with district superintendents about ISBE initiatives, including the future of school improvement, measuring student success, alternative education programs, and the continued role of ROE/ISC's in providing systems of support. 


As liaisons between ISBE and the districts we serve, it's always a pleasure to connect the two and discuss what the future of education in our region and across Illinois can look like. We have programs and opportunities that we are excited to continue building upon, like our upcoming Youth Voices Forum in partnership with the Kane County Health Department, as well as our countywide Institute Day set for next month.


We hope you will find more opportunities that can benefit you below.

Patricia Dal Santo, Regional Superintendent

Educator of the Year heads to the movies!

Do you know a Kane County educator who deserves the spotlight? Treat them and yourselves to the sights and sounds of unforgettable celebrations this spring!


We are accepting nominations for the 49th Kane County Educator of the Year Awards until Friday, March 7. Coming off a record number of nominees in 2024, this year's banquet will be cinema themed as we pay homage to the hard work and dedication of educational staff from across the county.


Click below to find our nomination form, guidelines, and judging rubric as well as a step-by-step video guide to the nomination process.

Nominate an Educator

Work with the Kane County ROE

If you are interested in serving educators and students in Kane County with our team, we have multiple open positions.

Youth Outreach Worker

This role will will work within our Alternative Programs to meet with school representatives, students, and families regarding attendance issues, conduct school conferences and meetings regarding potential dropouts, develop and monitor individual service plans for students on active caseload, and other duties.

Learn More & Apply

Educator Licensure Specialist

This position will work with guests and school districts on licensure inquiries, provide training to educators on the use of the Educator Licensure Information System, communicate with ISBE and local school districts on any updates and changes to licensure requirements, and other duties.

Learn More & Apply

Providing digital safety tips to students

Recently, our Director of Operations and Technology, Phil Morris, spoke with students from the Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative SEA Transition Program about digital safety and privacy tips.


SEA stands for "Students Entering Adulthood", and the program helps provide additional supports for students that have completed high school. This can include planning and time management, access to student services through college, vocational services, and social emotional support.


As technology advances, it is essential to navigate the digital word safely. We are grateful for the opportunity to offer guidance to these students on building a secure presence online.

Phil has also been busy tackling cache and cookies for our bi-weekly Tuesday Tech Tip! Has web browsing been slow for you lately? Every time you visit a website, these forms of data are stored on your device, and regularly clearing them can help ensure you have a faster and more secure experience. Catch Phil covering that process below and other topics here.

Artificial Intelligence has become one of the trendiest topics for professional development in the last year. Our team wants to equip you with the knowledge to positively leverage AI and improve productivity and efficiency in your school management!


In this online Administrative Academy, participants will explore various AI tools and techniques that can streamline administrative tasks, enhance decision-making,

and foster a more effective learning environment. Through interactive sessions,

hands-on activities, and collaborative discussions, you will gain practical skills to integrate AI into daily operations as well as potential downfalls to keep in mind.

Cost: $175

PD Hours: 4.5

Admin. Academy Credit: 6

Register

Kane County ROE to host new two-day training


We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Inclusive Educator Credential program in partnership with Uplifting Impact. This two-day, six-course program at our office will equip you with comprehensive knowledge and skills to foster inclusivity and promote equitable outcomes for all learners.


Participants will learn:

  • how to engage in self-reflection and collaborative problem-solving
  • to develop effective communication skills for stronger relationships
  • how to foster a welcoming school environment for all
  • how to become an effective inclusive leader and advocate for change


We are pleased to welcome Deanna Singh and Dr. Justin Ponder from Uplifting Impact join us to lead these sessions. Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your professional growth and make a lasting impact on your students' lives. 

Date: April 23 - 24, 2025

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location: 28 North 1st St., Geneva, IL 60134

Price: $40 I PD Hours: 12

*Lunch will be provided

Register

Outdoor field trip opportunities

Looking for a unique science program to connect your students to the wonders of nature? Environmental educators from Forest Preserve at Kane County can bring science and ecology to life - both in your classroom and in the field. 


Their naturalists welcome K-12 students to explore wetlands, woodlands and prairies at one of nearly 100 preserves or at Creek Bend Nature Center. If travel is not an option, their experienced educators can conduct Traveling Naturalist programs in your classroom, in an assembly setting, or on your school grounds. Virtual Field Trips with plug-and-play, 30-minute video lessons are also available.


All programs have been crafted to align with Next Generation Science and Common Core Standards, with STEAM themes woven into each experience. Click below to learn more.

Program Guide

CHIP IN Batavia Prom Dress Collection and Giveaway

Do you or someone you know have a prom dress or accessories collecting dust in your closet? This March, CHIP IN Batavia and the Batavia Public Library host their annual Prom Dress Giveaway are currently accepting donations of dresses, shoes, and accessories.


This event aims to ensure all students have the option to take part in the prom experience, regardless of expense. All students from any school district, regardless of need, are invited to attend!


Event Dates:

  • Saturday, March 22, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 23, 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.


Donation Dropoff:

  • Batavia Public Library
  • Saturday, February 1 - Thursday March 20


For more information, reach out to chipinbatavia@gmail.com.

The Illinois Online Academy has expanded its catalog of fully online courses.

These offerings can be completed online within 60 days. 

Behavior is

Language


PD Credit: 45

Cost: $200

Register

Language Acquisition for

ESL Students


PD Credit: 45

Cost: $200

Register

See our full list of courses and academies here.

Check out the latest episodes of our weekly classroom strategy series, Branching Out, for quick tips from our Professional Learning team!

Book Tastings

Do you have students who only want to read certain books? Jordan Eggleson will walk you through "Book Tastings", which can give them the opportunity to sample different genres.


Utilizing this strategy can help students step out of their comfort zones and maybe even find their new favorite read!

Confer, Compare, Clarify

Do you have any students that need assistance with their listening and communication skills? Katie Algrim suggests having them confer, compare, and clarify!


This strategy gives students the opportunity to collaborate with their peers and clear up any misunderstandings they had from the lesson.

New episodes of Branching Out are released every Thursday across our social media platforms and our website. You can also browse our full catalog below. With over 100 episodes and counting, there's a video for every educator looking to branch out!

Full Branching Out Playlist

Have a question? Want to connect?

hello@kaneroe.org l kaneroe.org

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