2026 Summer Symposium: Full Schedule

7:30am CDT

Registration

Tuesday June 9, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am CDT

Lobby

Tuesday June 9, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am CDT
Lobby

Registration

8:30am CDT

KEYNOTE: HOW TO BE A #BALLER TEACHER

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am CDT

Ziock Ballroom

For new teachers and experienced teachers alike. Here you'll get steps on how to reach and influence today's learners (The Selfie Generation), but with that old-school respect and focus. Practical advice mixed with videos and experience sprinkled with humor(ish) and a dab of The Dab. Utilizing fun/creative elements/apps to engage and focus on being authentic to your personality in the process!

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am CDT
Ziock Ballroom

Keynote

10:00am CDT

Hugging Porcupines: Practical Strategies for Building Relationships with Kids Who Struggle in School

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Munthe Room

We know the power of relationships, and we're believers. But what about the kids who seem to push us away--who resist relationship building? Why do they do this? In this session, we'll dig into why some kids struggle so much in school. We'll then explore some practical strategies (such as student-centric praise and what to do instead of incentivizing them) for building connections with our most...
See More →

Speakers

Mike Anderson

Consultant, Leading Great Learning, LLC

Mike Anderson has been an educator for many years. A public school teacher for many years, he now works as a consultant providing professional learning for teachers throughout the US and beyond. While in the classroom, Mike was awarded a national Milken Educator Award and was a finalist... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Munthe Room

Breakout 1

10:00am CDT

Joy is a Discipline: Leading with Light When the Work Feels Heavy

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Nelson Room

Most educators don’t need another strategy. They need a way to keep showing up without losing themselves.When the work feels heavy, joy is often treated as something we’ll get back later, after things calm down. But for educators leading in constant pressure, that day never comes.In this session, Dan Cox reframes joy as a discipline, not a mood or mindset; one that protects identity,...
See More →

Speakers

Dan Cox

Founder | CEO, Endurance Edge

Dan Cox is a former superintendent turned leadership coach and speaker who works at the intersection of adult SEL, resilience, and real-world leadership, where the work is heavy and expectations never let up.
With more than 25 years in education, including 15 as a superintendent... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Nelson Room

Breakout 1

10:00am CDT

Leading With, Not For: Elevating Student Voice to Strengthen School Communities

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Ziock Ballroom A

Strong school communities are built when students are not only supported, but genuinely engaged as contributors to their learning environments. This session invites educators to explore what it means to lead with students rather than for them by intentionally elevating student voice, agency, and shared ownership.Through reflection, discussion, and practical examples, participants will examine how...
See More →

Speakers

Kamrin Muhammad

Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer, By Any Dreams Necessary LLC

Kamrin Muhammad is a non-traditional educator, leadership strategist, and founder of By Any Dreams Necessary LLC, a mission-driven consulting firm that partners with schools and community organizations to strengthen youth–adult relationships, belonging, and leadership development... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Ziock Ballroom A

Breakout 1

10:00am CDT

The Power of Us in Action: Building Systems That Sustain Relationships

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Talcott

Relationships are often cited as the heart of effective schools—but too often, relationship-building exists as isolated strategies rather than intentional, sustainable systems. This session explores how schools can move beyond individual practices to create cohesive, school-wide structures that prioritize connection, collective efficacy, and shared responsibility for student and staff...
See More →

Speakers

Amanda Mathews

5th Grade Teacher, Rockton School District 140 - Whitman Post Elementary School

Amanda Mathews is an experienced elementary educator and instructional leader with over 10 years of classroom teaching experience. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education as well as a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and brings a practitioner’s lens to... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Talcott 416 S Main St, Rockford, IL 61101

Breakout 1

10:00am CDT

Whose Story Is This? Integrating SEL into Literacy Through Character Analysis

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Ziock Ballroom B

Literacy instruction is one of the most powerful (and natural) spaces for social-emotional learning. This 60-minute session supports literacy educators and instructional coaches in intentionally integrating SEL into content instruction by leveraging Common Core character development standards to build empathy and perspective-taking.Grounded in the CASEL competencies of Social Awareness,...
See More →

Speakers

Courtney Donohoe

Program Manager - High School ELA/Founder, Cleveland Metropolitan School District/WellSpace Collaborative

Courtney Donohoe is the High School ELA Program Manager for Cleveland Metro Schools and founder of The WellSpace Collaborative, where she supports educators and students through effective literacy instruction, mindfulness, SEL, and instructional leadership practices. With a maste... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Ziock Ballroom B

Breakout 1

11:00am CDT

Let Them Grow: Empowering Amazing Students

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Talcott

Today's students are navigating unprecedented levels of anxiety, disconnection, and dependence. Yet, they are also creative, compassionate, and full of potential. Drawing on key ideas from The Anxious Generation, The Amazing Generation, and Let Grow, this session explores how schools can intentionally balance connection, independence, and belonging to better support student well-being...
See More →

Speakers

Grace Heimerdinger-Baake

SEL + Family Education and Engagement Specialist, Regional Office of Education #47

Grace Heimerdinger-Baake is the SEL & Family Education and Engagement Specialist for the Regional Office of Education #47. She brings more than 13 years of experience as an educator, crisis counselor, and advocate supporting children, families, and communities. Grace specializes in... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Talcott 416 S Main St, Rockford, IL 61101

Breakout 2

11:00am CDT

Managing Stress with Guided Meditation and Chair Yoga

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Ziock Ballroom B

To elevate our impact, we must first sustain our well-being. This restorative session offers educators a "protected space" to move from the high-energy demands of the classroom into a state of calm and clarity. Grounded in the understanding that our internal state directly influences our students' sense of safety, we will explore the Reflect and Restore framework. Participants will...
See More →

Speakers

Liza Hale

Program Manager, Teach Tank

Liza Hale (she/her) currently serves as Program Manager of Teach Tank, a collective of educators committed to building communities centered on love, learning and liberation. She is a Chicago-based educator and creative strategist with a passion for social justice and a demonstrated... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Ziock Ballroom B

Breakout 2

11:00am CDT

Stop Chasing the Myth: Reclaim Your Work-Life Balance Today

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Nelson Room

They tell us work-life balance exists, but for most educators, it feels like a mythical creature—often talked about, but never actually seen. Between meeting the critical needs of your students and the mental weight that it carries, the boundary between work and personal life doesn’t just blur—it can altogether disappear. We will unpack the hidden pitfalls that drain your time, implement SEL...
See More →

Speakers

Christine Schweitzer

School Support Specialist, Area 2 SEL Hub Specialist, Boone-Winnebago Regional Office of Education 4

With over 23 years of experience in education, Christine Schweitzer proudly represents ROE4 in her role as the Area 2 SEL Hub Specialist and School Support Specialist. In her career, Christy has served as an early childhood, elementary, and SEL teacher, a leader, advisor, and adjunct... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Nelson Room

Breakout 2

11:00am CDT

Stronger Together: The Power of Community in School Culture and Climate

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Munthe Room

In this session, participants will explore how psychological safety, relational trust, and shared purpose form the foundation of healthy, high-performing schools. Through stories, research-based insights, and practical examples, we will examine how these three pillars shape both adult well-being and student success. Attendees will reflect on how “The Power of Us” shows up—or breaks down—in...
See More →

Speakers

Matt Weld

SEL Coach, Regional Office of Education #40

Current Area 5 SEL Coach. Former Director of Online Learning and Technology, K-8 Tech Coach, JH asst. Principal, and 7th grade science and ELA teacher. Always Dad and husband, RYT-200, Google Trainer, IL Master Gardener, bibliophile, outdoorsman, DIY-er and artist.

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Munthe Room

Breakout 2

11:00am CDT

The Power of Connection: Mapping Every Student’s Path to Belonging

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Ziock Ballroom A

At the heart of "The Power of Us" is the profound truth that no student should ever feel invisible; research consistently shows that a single positive connection with a trusted adult can be the turning point for a student’s success. This session explores Relationship Mapping, a strategic process designed to ensure every learner is connected to a staff member, beginning with a clear definition of...
See More →

Speakers

Kate Hertz

Assistant Principal, Sycamore High School/District 427

As an Assistant Principal focused on Learning and Teaching, Kate knows that the heartbeat of a successful school is its professional community. She has dedicated her career to the idea that we "Elevate Our Impact" when we break down the silos of traditional teaching. At Sycamore High School, Kate leads initiatives that prioritize student supports and... Read More →

Mollie Momenteller

Instructional Coach, Sycamore High School/District 427

Mollie is a dedicated Instructional Coach with a passion for transforming school culture through collective efficacy. With her years of experience in education, she specializes in bridging the gap between innovative pedagogy and classroom practice. Mollie believes that the "Power of Us" lies in th... Read More →

Maryellen Spicer

Social Work Department Chair, Sycamore High School/District 427

As Department Chair, Maryellen oversees the strategic growth and clinical excellence of the Social Work program at Community Unit School District 427 in Sycamore, IL. Throughout her tenure, she has emphasized that the "Power of Us" is found in the intersection of diverse perspectives... Read More →

Kristal Templin

Counseling Department Chair, Sycamore High School/District 427

Kristal serves as the Chair of the Counseling Department at Sycamore High School, where she leads with the conviction that the strongest therapeutic outcomes are built on a foundation of community and connection. With extensive experience in School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health, she has ded... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Ziock Ballroom A

Breakout 2

12:00pm CDT

LUNCH! Grab a boxed lunch (on us!), take a break, we will see you in Breakout #3 at 1:00!

Tuesday June 9, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

TBA

Tuesday June 9, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
TBA

Lunch

1:00pm CDT

From Silent to Vocal: The Power of Unlocking Student Voice is Within You

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Munthe Room

In this session, we'll explore the power of vulnerability and connecting in the PK-12 grade classroom. By reading aloud my short story, "Joyce, Joyce...There's Power In Your Voice," we'll step into the shoes of an African American student navigating educational spaces while learning how moments of silence can hold profound lessons. We'll discuss what it takes to engage both our quietest and most...
See More →

Speakers

Tamiko Nettles

CEO & Founder, Let Go-Be Great, LLC

Tamiko Nettles is a seasoned educator, author, coach, and motivational speaker with over 20 years of experience empowering mission-driven leaders and teams across education, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. Known for her dynamic storytelling and practical strategies, Tamiko helps... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Munthe Room

Breakout 3

1:00pm CDT

More Than a Program: Social-Emotional Practices that Improve School Culture and Climate

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Talcott

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is most impactful when it is embedded into the daily practices and systems of a school rather than implemented as a stand-alone program. This session explores how schools can intentionally integrate SEL practices into all aspects of the school day, including Tier 1 universal supports, Tier 2 targeted interventions, and Tier 3 intensive supports. Participants will...
See More →

Speakers

Heather Baker

Principal, Dorothy Simon Elementary: Winnebago School District

Dr. Heather Baker is a sudden cardiac arrest survivor, Elementary School Principal, Adjunct Professor, Certified CPR Instructor, and a Mom to a three-year-old with a congenital heart defect. Her research and advocacy work helped to pass cardiac emergency response plans in schools... Read More →

Sarah Nauman

School Counselor, Dorothy Simon Elementary: Winnebago School District

Sarah Nauman, MSEd, LCPC, PEL is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and an ISCA 2024 School Counselor of the Year Honoree that has spent over a decade in the field of counseling including roles within clinical and mental health counseling and school counseling. She is currently... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Talcott 416 S Main St, Rockford, IL 61101

Breakout 3

1:00pm CDT

Ready, Set, Grow!

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Nelson Room

Get ready to create and inspire other like-minded educators using everyday materials from the dollar store. Each table team will work with identical sets of items from Dollar Tree to design an activity for your students aligned with one of the 5 SEL competencies. Leave feeling connected and empowered from sharing and exploring innovative ideas that showcase creativity, collaboration, and...
See More →

Speakers

Karen Brunner

Founder, Behavior Consultant, BCBA, Compassionate Schools

Karen is a behavioral scientist with over 30 years of experience supporting schools as a licensed school psychologist, board certified behavior analyst and university professor. Her work grounded in a strength-based approach, helps educators respond to student misbehavior with confidence... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Nelson Room

Breakout 3

1:00pm CDT

Unconditional Positive Regard: Leading and Learning Through Relationship

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Ziock Ballroom A

What if supporting students—and one another—wasn’t just about responding to trauma, but about building unwavering, positive relationships? This session explores Unconditional Positive Regard as both a classroom practice and a leadership stance: the commitment to see and value people—students and adults alike—beyond behavior, performance, or productivity.Participants will shift from a...
See More →

Speakers

Amy Besida

Chief Program Officer, Embarc Chicago

Amy Besida is the Chief Program Officer of Embarc Chicago. She joined the Embarc team in 2016 with over a decade of experience in instructional coaching, teaching, and mentoring. Her journey in education spans from urban classrooms to school leadership positions, where she has consistently... Read More →

Joe Schupbach

Head of Coaching, Embarc Chicago

Joe Schupbach is an educator, writer, and director with 22 years of experience in public education, experimental theatre, and nonprofit administration. Joe is a facilitator and instructional coach and currently serves as Head of Coaching at Embarc. Joe has been a frequent artistic... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Ziock Ballroom A

Breakout 3

2:00pm CDT

Becoming a Bridge Building Educator

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Ziock Ballroom B

Disrespectful behavior, classroom disruption, and disengagement are among the most pressing challenges educators face today—particularly when working with students who have behavior issues and have historically experienced discipline through a lens of control rather than care. This high-impact session equips educators with research-based, culturally responsive strategies to transform challenging...
See More →

Speakers

Dr. Don Parker

Keynote Speaker and Professional Development Provider, DPCP Corporation

Dr. Don Parker is one of the nation’s leading experts on helping educators build trusting relationships with students who have trauma and challenging behavior. A nationally acclaimed keynote speaker, author, and professional development provider, he has inspired over 1 million ... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Ziock Ballroom B

Breakout 4

2:00pm CDT

Ready, Set, Grow!

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Nelson Room

Speakers

Karen Brunner

Founder, Behavior Consultant, BCBA, Compassionate Schools

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Nelson Room

Breakout 4

2:00pm CDT

Repairing the Moment: Restorative Tools for Everyday Classroom Conflict

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Ziock Ballroom B

When classroom conflict, student shutdowns, or escalations occur, educators often feel pressure to respond quickly,sometimes relying on reactive or punitive strategies that unintentionally damage relationships and psychological safety. This interactive session introduces Repairing the Moment, a restorative, SEL-aligned framework designed to help educators pause, reflect, and respond with intention...
See More →

Speakers

Eric Junco

Director of Academic Cultivation & Engagement / Professor, Northern Illinois University

Dr. Eric Junco is a Director of Academic Cultivation & Engagement and Professor in the College of Education at Northern Illinois University. He teaches a range of undergraduate and graduate courses, including Teaching Science Methods, Classroom Management for Elementary Educators... Read More →

Miriam Ojaghi

SEL and Middle School Consultant, Dekalb Regional Office of Education

Dr. Miriam “Mimi” Ojaghi is a Professional Learning Consultant & SEL Specialist at the DeKalb County Regional Office of Education. As a veteran of over 25 years in education, Mimi has worked in a jail, taught middle school and college, served as a director of after school programming... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Ziock Ballroom B

Breakout 4

2:00pm CDT

Seeing What Students Experience: A Proactive Bullying Tool That Reveals the Hidden Student Reality

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Ziock Ballroom A

Bullying prevention efforts often rely on incident reports, referrals, or anonymous surveys—tools that tell us what happened, but rarely reveal how students are actually experiencing school on a daily basis. This session introduces a proactive, SEL-based bullying prevention tool designed to surface students’ academic phenomenology—their lived emotional, social, and...
See More →

Speakers

Devon LaRosa

Chief of High Schools, Chicago Public Schools

Devon supports high school leaders to ensure that all students receive a world-class education. He believes in taking a student-centered approach to education that focuses on equity and rigorous academic experiences.

Kierra Pickens

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Key Points Counseling

Dr. Kierra Pickens is a counseling private practice owner and international psychologist with over a decade of experience working in the mental health field. Dr. Pickens has a professional background in community mental health, inpatient and residential psychiatric facility mental... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Ziock Ballroom A

Breakout 4

2:00pm CDT

Supporting the Learning Brain Through Co-Regulation

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Talcott

This interactive session explores how co-regulation supports brain development, emotional regulation, and learning readiness in educational environments. Participants will examine how social experiences, adult presence, and environmental supports shape students’ nervous systems, particularly during times of stress or dysregulation.Through guided discussion and practical examples, participants...
See More →

Speakers

Mallory Wassmann

Elementary School Social Worker, Hinckley-Big Rock CUSD #429

Mallory Wassmann is in her thirteenth year as a social worker supporting the social emotional wellness of students. Although Mallory enjoys working with kids and empowering them to be their best selves, her passion is for helping colleagues and families better understand how to foster... Read More →

Sarah Kuperus

District School Psychologist, Hinckley-Big Rock CUSD #429

Sarah Kuperus is in her thirteenth year as a School Psychologist. Her role includes Special Education and Section 504 evaluations, providing social emotional support for students, coordinating MTSS services district-wide, and regularly consulting with teachers, administrators, and... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Talcott 416 S Main St, Rockford, IL 61101

Breakout 4

3:00pm CDT

ENDNOTE: “SEL-ebrate the Power of Us”

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Ziock Ballroom

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Ziock Ballroom

Endnote

2026 Summer Symposium

From $128.36

Choose your checkout method

Success you have shared X tickets.

7:30am CDT

8:30am CDT

10:00am CDT

10:00am CDT

10:00am CDT

10:00am CDT

10:00am CDT

11:00am CDT

11:00am CDT

11:00am CDT

11:00am CDT

11:00am CDT

12:00pm CDT

1:00pm CDT

1:00pm CDT

1:00pm CDT

1:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

3:00pm CDT

Get help with the event