We Love Illinois Schools

Ryan Wamser and Matt Weld from Regional Office of Education 40 are leaders in the world of school Social-Emotional Learning, or SEL. Together, they staff the Area 5 SEL Hub in Southwestern Illinois – one of seven regional hubs that offer professional development to local teachers and school administrators on trauma-informed practices and all things SEL.By far the most popular workshop they offer is “Leadership Lessons from the Lasso Way.” The duo uses the hit Apple TV comedy Ted Lasso as inspiration to discuss what it means to lead a team -- or a classroom -- while prioritizing the mental health of both the team and the leaders. They spoke with guest host Lindsay Record, who leads ISBE’s public relations efforts focused on Illinois pandemic recovery efforts. To get connected with your SEL Hubs, visit https://isbe.net/selhubs.Our theme music is by José Rivera.

Briana Morales is our 2023 Illinois State Teacher of the Year. She’s a high school English teacher at Gordon Bush Alternative Center – the alternative school for East St. Louis School District 189. To learn more about our Teacher of the Year program, visit our website. To nominate someone for 2024 Teacher of the year, go to this page. To request Briana for a speaking engagement, express interest here. To be inspired to connect with students, click play.Our theme music is by José Rivera.

The National Teacher of the Year finalist and Oregon High School teacher known as Ms. Rad talks about why she advocates for having special education students in her Spanish class, how she overcame her fear of public speaking, the role llamas played in improving her teaching technique,  what she does in her spare time, and so much more.  Our theme music is by José Rivera.

Lindsay Record, the communications lead for our Learning Renewal team, hosts this episode. Her featured guests are Mashana Smith, Ph.D, director of REACH at the Center for Childhood Resilience at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, and Marla Graham, principal of the Lovington Grade School in Arthur CUSD 305. They share experiences and strategies to address trauma so that students can feel safe and ready to learn. REACH stands for Resilience Education to Advance Community Healing. It's a statewide initiative, offering schools the tools they need to help educators support the social and emotional well-being of both students and staff. You can learn more about it and the services REACH provides at isbe.net/REACH.Theme music by José Rivera

Steven Herkert is director of ROE services at Regional Office of Education 8. He is also a principal mentor with the Illinois Principals Association, and a passionate advocate for the 5Essentials Culture and Climate Survey. In this episode, he talks about mistakes he made as a principal, what he got right, and how principals can use data to make their schools better.Our theme music is by José Rivera.

This episode features two guests: Chanice Artis is a Project Coordinator for Valley View Schools, and previously taught middle school language arts in Romeoville and Bolingbrook.Italy Wallace is an instructional technology coach, certified by both Apple and Google, for Lincolnshire School District 103. She previously taught elementary and served as an assistant principal in Joliet.But this conversation focuses on their work for ISBE and TeachPlus, where both Italy and Chanice facilitate Affinity Groups for educators of color.If you’ve been wondering why we need Affinity Groups, or how educators benefit from these meetings, this conversation will answer those questions and more.You can learn more about our Affinity Groups here.Our theme music is by José Rivera.

 Just before her official retirement, Illinois State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala reflects on her four decades in education and especially her four years at the helm of the Illinois State Board of Education.  Our theme music is by José Rivera.

Gower District 62 Superintendent Dr. Victor Simon talks about data mining the 5Essentials, and how his personal background reminds him why it matters, and its connection to the Equity Journey Continuum.Our theme music is by José Rivera.

Dr. James L. Hayes, principal of Harvard Park Elementary in Springfield, talks about the "Comprehensive" summative designation his school received in 2019, and how IL-Empower helped his campus achieve a vast improvement. Listen to the end for surprise positive outcomes that reach beyond the gradebook.Our theme music is by José Rivera.

Days before announcing our 2022 Teacher of the Year, we asked Justin Johnson, our 2021 Teacher of the Year, to tell us what he learned, what he missed, what advice he has for the next Teacher of the Year -- and what advice he has for ISBE, as we work to retain and sustain teachers of color.Our theme music is by José Rivera.