A Message from new Regional Superintendent, John K. Jonak | | |
Kane County educators, families, and community partners,
I hope you all enjoyed a fun and rewarding holiday weekend. It has been my pleasure to complete my first few days with the Kane County Regional Office of Education, and I am already filled with excitement for the work our team is doing. As a resident of Kane County for the past 14 years, I am eager to continue my work in education closer to home.
I have gotten to know the folks that make up this office over the last few months, and in that time, have seen the foundation of service that sets this organization apart. From alternative programs to professional development, testing and licensure to educator and student celebrations, the Kane County ROE holds a standard of service that we look forward to maintaining, and even elevating.
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| Longtime Professional Learning leader sworn in as Assistant Regional Superintendent | | |
I am also pleased to share that Katie Algrim has been appointed to serve as our new Assistant Regional Superintendent.
Katie is someone familiar to many of those we serve, as she has guided our professional learning efforts since 2018. As our Director of Innovative Professional Learning, she has built a department that has delivered impeccable development opportunities for educators year after year. Between hosting Administrator Academies and curating courses for the Illinois Online Academy, guiding our office's school improvement work as an ISBE-recognized Learning Partner, and leading our county-wide Institute Day and other large-scale conferences, her impact is felt not only in Kane County, but across the state.
She understands the importance of meeting people where they are to provide the most effective experience, not only in the professional learning sphere, but all services we provide. We are elated for her to bring her knowledge to this role.
As we proceed through July, I hope you continue to have an enjoyable and relaxing summer. It is my honor to be afforded this opportunity, and I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming weeks as we approach the 2025-26 school year.
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John K. Jonak
Regional Superintendent
| | Are you interested in serving students and educators across Kane County with the ROE? There is an opening with our team to explore. | | |
Juvenile Justice Center Principal
The Kane County Juvenile Justice Center is hiring a School Program Principal.
The ROE manages the education program at the Juvenile Justice Center, and this position ensures that all students residing there have access to consistent, high-quality education. The role also works with other leadership staff at the center to oversee a safe and equitable learning environment.
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To just open up and say: 'Let's have this Tech Bash, come bear your soul'.. that doesn't work. In our monthly networking meetings, participants realize it's a safe space. That, over time, built that trust in one another and us. Now, after several years, we're up to 185 attendees this year.
| | 2025 Kane County Tech Bash draws largest group to date | | |
Building trusting relationships is at the heart of our work. One event that encapsulates that effort is the Kane County Tech Bash.
Kaneland Harter Middle School hosted the Bash last month, with participants representing school technology departments from not only our county districts, but also Naperville, DeKalb, Oswego, and Sycamore. This day of learning and networking covered cybersecurity and ransomware, customer service practices, the role that technology staff play in reunification training, and even some friendly competition through "Tech Olympic" events.
Click below to see and hear more about the spirit behind this event and how it has grown year after year.
| | Reunification training sessions demonstrate countywide commitment to safety | | |
Preparing for "when", not "if", is the purpose behind our annual reunification training. Last month, our office hosted two sessions at Christ Community Church in Elgin with school staff and emergency response personnel from across Kane County.
Originally designed by The "I Love U Guys" Foundation, this training prepares participants to navigate crisis situations where students may need to be relocated to off-campus sites, and how to effectively reunite those students with family members.
We appreciate those who took the time to walk through these exercises with us, and also Kane County Emergency Management for being on-hand and allowing participants to tour their mobile command center.
| | Professional Learning hits the road this summer | | |
The early summer is one of the busiest times of year for our Professional Learning team. Staff have been on the road delivering Evaluator Academy trainings, most recently helping administrators in West Aurora School District 129 and School District U-46 align and calibrate their staff evaluation processes.
These academies continue throughout July and again in September. Slots are still available to register, including:
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AA#2001: Illinois Performance Evaluation - Initial Teacher Evaluator Training (July 23-24, September 17-18)
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AA#3000: Illinois Performance Evaluation Retraining: AA#3000: Illinois Performance Evaluation (July 30, September 11)
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AA#4050: Evaluator Initial Training & Retraining for Principals & Assistant Principals (September 9-10)
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AA#1801: Gathering Evidence During Observations and Conferencing Using the Danielson Model for Teacher Evaluators: Professional Practice (September 23)
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Inspire yourself to start the school year! | |
Our professional learning subscription box, Inspire, can be part of your development for the 2025-26 school year, with new themes each month and activities that can be immediately used in your classroom. Our team is ready to package engaging activities and ship them directly to you!
Choose your own subscription type, send us your school address, and we'll do the rest. All you'll have to do is unbox and enjoy!
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Order by the end of July to receive our August box,
Better Together: Building Stronger Classrooms Through Teacher Collaboration
*Note: materials in your Inspire box can also guide you through activities to earn PD credits via the Illinois Online Academy
| | | | Discounted learning opportunities with North Central College | |
The Kane County ROE has launched a partnership with North Central College to provide discounted tuition on continuing education for teachers across Kane County!
NCC will be hosting virtual information sessions in August for two program offerings. Click below to learn more and register this opportunity!
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The licensure renewal period has passed, but virtual professional development opportunities are still available this summer.
The Illinois Online Academy partners with VESi to offer continuing education courses to fit your needs and your schedule. Browse offerings to find the content that aligns with your learning goals!
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