2026 ROE8 Summer Institute: Full Schedule

10:00am CDT

Supporting Regulation, Behavior, and Mental Well-Being in Special Education

Monday June 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This session focuses on trauma-responsive and strengths-based approaches to
supporting emotional regulation, executive functioning, and mental health in students
receiving special education services. Participants will explore how trauma, stress, and
neurodiversity impact behavior and learning, and learn practical strategies to promote
self-regulation, resilience, and positive behavioral supports. The session emphasizes
proactive, inclusive practices that build on student strengths, foster emotional safety,
and support well-being across school settings.

Speakers

Kelly Marcum

Regional Specialist, Illinois Elevating Special Educators (IESE)

...

Monday June 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
201D

SEL

11:00am CDT

Supporting Behavior Through SEL

LIMITED

Monday June 8, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

201D

Limited Capacity seats available

Explore how SEL practices can transform student behavior. Participants will learn how to identify the “why” behind behaviors and use practical, inclusive strategies to support all learners. This session will also highlight how MTSS frameworks can be used to provide tiered supports for behavior and SEL across all students.

Speakers

Shauna Dinges

Program Advisor, IESE

Shauna Dinges has been in education for over 20 years. She started her teaching career by teaching Business Math and Accounting classes at the community college level. Because she wanted to be a more positive influence on younger students, Shauna decided that she could make a significant... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
201D

SEL

12:50pm CDT

Teaching Gen Z

LIMITED

Monday June 8, 2026 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT

201D

Limited Capacity seats available

Today’s students bring unique strengths and challenges to the classroom. This session explores practical strategies to increase engagement, reduce anxiety, and support learning through relationships, structure, and relevant instruction that meets the needs of Gen Z learners.

Speakers

Shauna Dinges

Program Advisor, IESE

Monday June 8, 2026 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT
201D

SEL

global Y

10:00am CDT

Codeable Robots (Spheros)

LIMITED

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

201D

Limited Capacity seats available

Step into the STEM Room and explore hands-on innovation with Spheros. In this interactive session, you’ll discover how to use Sphero robots to bring STEM learning to life through coding, problem-solving, and collaborative challenges. Learn how to design engaging lessons that integrate science, technology, engineering, and math while building students’ critical thinking and creativity.

Participants will have time to experiment with Spheros, try out guided activities, and explore ways students can use these tools to code, design, test, and iterate on their ideas. Walk away with practical strategies, ready-to-use lesson ideas, and inspiration to create a dynamic classroom where students actively engage in STEM learning and innovation.

* Same session, repeated multiple times.

Speakers

Brett Richardson

Teacher, Stockton CUSD

I have been a teacher at Stockton for 20 years. The first fifteen years were spent in the fifth grade classroom. The last five years I have been teaching 7th grade history, literature, and STEM classes. I have been the district technology coach for the past seven years. I love finding... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
201D

Technology

11:00am CDT

Codeable Robots (Spheros)

LIMITED

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

201D

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Brett Richardson

Teacher, Stockton CUSD

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
201D

Technology

12:50pm CDT

Codeable Robots (Spheros)

LIMITED

Tuesday June 9, 2026 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT

201D

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Brett Richardson

Teacher, Stockton CUSD

Tuesday June 9, 2026 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT
201D

Technology

10:00am CDT

Games that Make Number Sense "Click"

LIMITED

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

201D

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover fact fluency games that empower students to master flexible strategies and sharpen their number sense. You’ll walk away with engaging activities that challenge kids to bridge connections, find patterns, and build academic vocabulary.

Speakers

Julie Hunziker

ROE #8

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
201D

Engagement

11:00am CDT

Instructional Practices to Motivate and Engage

LIMITED

Wednesday June 10, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

201D

Limited Capacity seats available

This professional development session focuses on practical strategies for supporting students’ regulation, behavior, and overall mental well-being in special education settings. Participants will explore how emotional regulation, sensory needs, and mental health influence student behavior and learning. Through discussion and real-world examples, educators will learn proactive approaches to create supportive environments, respond to challenging behaviors, and promote positive student outcomes. The session will also highlight strategies for fostering resilience, building strong relationships, and supporting the well-being of both students and staff.

Speakers

Kelly Marcum

Regional Specialist, Illinois Elevating Special Educators (IESE)

...

Wednesday June 10, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
201D

Engagement

12:50pm CDT

Co-Teaching: Two Minds, One Mission

LIMITED

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:50pm - 1:40pm CDT

201D

Limited Capacity seats available

Co-teaching is more than just sharing a classroom—it's about blending talents, ideas, and strategies to create a powerful learning experience for all students. In this dynamic model, teaching partners collaborate on every aspect of instruction: from planning and delivering lessons to assessing progress and managing the classroom environment. When done well, co-teaching can spark deeper student engagement and boost achievement across the board. In this session, participants will explore the art and science of co-teaching—discovering a range of instructional models, strategies for seamless lesson delivery, and practical tips for building strong, successful teaching partnerships that benefit both educators and students alike.

Speakers