Professional Development Home
Literacy Symposium
Hundreds of educators unite with Amplify Education for a dynamic event filled with inspiration, networking, & strategies to boost literacy instruction
Dual Language Academy
Partnering with Adelante Educational Specialists — educators gain tools to support bilingual learners + foster advocacy through language & culture!
Summer Professional Learning Series 2026
📍 Unity Junior High School
Focuses on wide range of content areas designed to enrich your skills and equip you with innovative strategies to make learning fun!
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COACH SESSION-PLANNING FOR EFFORTFUL THINKING (5CPDUs)
9 A.M. to 3 P.M. (1 HOUR LUNCH BREAK)
Instructional coaches will engage in work around planning for effortful thinking. This session is for coaches and administrators.
Presenter: Dr. Ben Zulauf Presenter: Joanna Lago
PLT SMART START TRAINING (5 CPDUs)
9 A.M. to 3 P.M. (1 HOUR LUNCH BREAK)
The PLT Smart Start Training will provide PLT Leads and any staff who attend PLTs with the framework for implementing effective PLTs. This session will help staff members develop leadership skills, enhance collaboration, and improve educational outcomes through planning as a team.
Presenter: Dr. Anthony Grazzini Presenter: Dr. Mary Mycyk
SPECIAL EDUCATION BOOTCAMP (5 CPDUs)
9 A.M. TO 3 P.M. (1 HOUR LUNCH BREAK)
This session is appropriate for teachers moving into an LBS1 role or second-year LBS1 teachers who are looking for more support. We will review the IEP process, procedures, and required paperwork. Teachers will have an opportunity to practice writing present levels and goals, and planning for data collection. This session is for LBS1s and RSPs.
Presenter: Dr. Ella FarmerPresenter: Lisa Gebre
PROGRAM ASSISTANT BOOTCAMP (3 CPDUs)
9 A.M. TO 12 P.M.
This session will focus on strategies for classroom involvement that PAs can use to actively support classroom management and academic engagement. These strategies will be aligned with the Science of Learning, to help support student attention and provide scaffolds to reduce student cognitive load. This session is for Program Assistants.
AAC (5 CPDUs) * AT WOODBINE ELEMENTARY
9 A.M. TO 3 P.M. (1 HOUR LUNCH BREAK)
Preparing, Planning, and Implementing a Communication-Rich Classroom Considering AAC. Participants will learn how to efficiently fold Augmentative and Alternative Communication into the school day by considering accessibility within the environment, planning with communication in mind, and becoming more familiar with the different language software systems. Participants will learn through active participation and leave with tools that can be readily incorporated into their practice. This session is appropriate for teachers, RSPs, and PAs who work with students who use AAC in their classrooms.
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PLANNING FOR EFFORTFUL THINKING (5 CPDUs)
9 A.M. TO 3 P.M. (1 HOUR LUNCH BREAK)
Teachers will engage in short learning sessions around learning science principles that lead to effortful thinking, and will then have time for application within planning.This session is for all staff - teachers, RSPs, PAs, Admin, etc.
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PLANNING FOR EFFORTFUL THINKING (5 CPDUs)
9 A.M. TO 3 P.M. (1 HOUR LUNCH BREAK)
Teachers will engage in short learning sessions around learning science principles that lead to effortful thinking, and will then have time for application within planning.This session is for all staff - teachers, RSPs, PAs, Admin, etc.
CPI Training
Wednesday, August 5 OR Thursday, August 6
8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Early Childhood Center
The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program combines innovative concepts regarding violent behavior into an educational system that gives staff easy-to-understand models to use when confronted with anxious, hostile, or violent behavior. CPI’s focus is on prevention, and the core training program equips staff with proven strategies for safely defusing anxious, hostile, or violent behavior at the earliest possible stage. The focus of this training is providing de-escalation supports for staff working with a variety of students. (6 CPDUs)
Tuesday, July 28, Wednesday, August 5 OR Thursday, August 6
8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Drexel & Lincoln Elementary Schools
Must hold a valid CPI blue card in order to take the refresher class
The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program combines innovative concepts regarding violent behavior into an educational system that gives staff easy-to-understand models to use when confronted with anxious, hostile, or violent behavior. CPI’s focus is on prevention, and the core training program equips staff with proven strategies for safely defusing anxious, hostile, or violent behavior at the earliest possible stage. The focus of this training is providing de-escalation supports for staff working with a variety of students. (6 CPDUs)
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Wednesday, August 5 OR Thursday, August 6
8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Early Childhood Center
The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program combines innovative concepts regarding violent behavior into an educational system that gives staff easy-to-understand models to use when confronted with anxious, hostile, or violent behavior. CPI’s focus is on prevention, and the core training program equips staff with proven strategies for safely defusing anxious, hostile, or violent behavior at the earliest possible stage. The focus of this training is providing de-escalation supports for staff working with a variety of students. (6 CPDUs)
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Tuesday, July 28, Wednesday, August 5 OR Thursday, August 6
8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Drexel & Lincoln Elementary Schools
Must hold a valid CPI blue card in order to take the refresher class
The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program combines innovative concepts regarding violent behavior into an educational system that gives staff easy-to-understand models to use when confronted with anxious, hostile, or violent behavior. CPI’s focus is on prevention, and the core training program equips staff with proven strategies for safely defusing anxious, hostile, or violent behavior at the earliest possible stage. The focus of this training is providing de-escalation supports for staff working with a variety of students. (6 CPDUs)
Mental Health Roundtable
This event promises educators, counselors and community leaders across Chicagoland the unique opportunity to hear discussions on topics surrounding mental health and the various types of trauma. Through discussing and understanding restorative practices from a trauma lens, guests will walk away with a clearer picture of how to implement best practices through guide points provided by area educational and mental-health professionals! With keynote speakers and breakout sessions including topics of cultivating cultural belonging, addressing conflict resolution for all ages, EMDR-inspired interventions, how to navigate discussions of grief in the school setting and more, the roundtable will provide the tools, techniques and takeaways that professionals can implement in their own schools or community organizations. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind event!
