2025 Summer Symposium: Full Schedule

10:15am CDT

Beyond Happy and Sad: A Crash Course in Emotional Literacy

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am CDT

Ever feel like your emotions are a tangled mess, leaving you confused and overwhelmed? You're not alone! In this fast-paced, engaging one-hour session, we'll dive headfirst into the world of emotional literacy, providing you with the essential tools to understand and navigate your inner landscape. This crash course is designed for anyone who wants to better understand themselves and others. Whether you're a seasoned feeler or someone who struggles to connect with their emotions, you'll walk away with practical insights and actionable steps to improve your emotional intelligence.

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.

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Talcott Room A

Breakout #1

12:15pm CDT

The Benefits of Being a Trauma Informed School and Why It's Important. A Principal's Story

Thursday June 12, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm CDT

Talcott Room A

During the breakout session Jeff will share Stanton School's story of being a targeted school due to chronic absenteeism to earning a commendable status in just one year. This year, with Jeff at the helm, Stanton School received its second consecutive commendable rating because of the committed work he and his staff did and continue to do as a trauma informed school. Jeff will share how his staff, including the bus drivers, became certified trauma informed specialists, how to improve daily rountines and practices by being resilience focused, and how changing the mindset from punitive to "Opportunities to Be Better" have impacted the student's behavior and social emotional growth. Stanton School's growth is validated by the data through significant improvements in student behaviors and daily attendance.

Speakers

Jeff Sefcik

Principal, Fox Lake Grade School District 114 - Stanton School

Thirty-three years ago, Jeff began his career as a high school teacher and baseball coach at Driscoll Catholic High School in Addison, Illinois. During his ten years at Driscoll, he taught History and coached Varsity Baseball earning an impressive career record of 251 wins and 102... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm CDT
Talcott Room A

Breakout #2

global Y

1:30pm CDT

Teaching with Heart: Harnessing Emotional Intelligence for Classroom Strategies

Thursday June 12, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Talcott Room A

In today’s classrooms, emotional intelligence (EQ) is just as essential as academic knowledge. We, as teachers, have to understand our
own emotional intelligence and then leverage that in our classroom community. This engaging and interactive session will
explore how educators can harness the power of emotional intelligence to build stronger relationships, manage stress, and create a more
supportive learning environment. Participants will gain practical strategies to enhance self-awareness, regulate emotions, and foster
meaningful connections with students and colleagues.

Speakers

Linsey McDanel

Kindergarten Teacher, FSD 145

McDanel has been a kindergarten teacher for 21 years. She has a special education and elementary education license. Her and her husband have 5 children, 3 of which have been adopted through foster care. It was through their needs and our inadequacies that McDanel and her husband found... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Talcott Room A

Breakout #3

global Y