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2026 Summer Symposium
Type: Breakout 2 clear filter
Tuesday, June 9
 

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 and growth. 

Participants will examine how overprotection, reduced autonomy, and limited opportunities for meaningful responsibility impact student resilience and how relationship-centered, SEL practices can reverse these trends. Through reflection, discussion, and practical examples, educators will learn how to create environments that empower students take healthy risks, build confidence, and develop essential life skills, while maintaining strong, supportive relationships. 
Speakers
avatar for Grace Heimerdinger-Baake

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 engage in guided reflective journaling, accessible chair yoga to release physical tension, and breathwork techniques designed for immediate classroom or home use. This isn't just a break—it’s a somatic reset that honors your identity as both a professional and a person.
Speakers
avatar for Liza Hale

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 strategies to settle classroom chaos, and create a practical self-care protocol. Join this interactive session to start developing a sustainable work-life balance today!
Speakers
avatar for Christine Schweitzer

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 their own school communities. Participants will leave with clear, actionable strategies to strengthen connection, belonging, and collective efficacy across their teams.
Speakers
avatar for Matt Weld

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 the framework and its role in fostering equity. We will take a "look under the hood" at our school’s specific implementation journey—from the logistics of staff mapping sessions to the digital tools used for tracking—before discussing the tangible impact this has had on our school culture and student engagement. By shifting from a model of individual care to one of collective responsibility, attendees will learn how to catch at-risk students before they disengage and leave with a practical toolkit to begin elevating their own impact through the power of connection.
Speakers
avatar for Kate Hertz

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 →
avatar for Mollie Momenteller

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 →
avatar for Maryellen Spicer

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 →
avatar for Kristal Templin

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
 
2026 Summer Symposium
From $128.36

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Tuesday, June 9
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Munthe Room
Nelson Room
Talcott
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Ziock Ballroom
Ziock Ballroom A
Ziock Ballroom B
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