Meet Chanelle Walker (Formerly McCloud), the Teacher Wellness Guru. She inspires educators to greatness through professional development that’s about them; and it’s done from a teacher’s perspective. In a day and age where we’re practicing a new normal for our schools, some are now getting a sample of what educators experience. But teacher fatigue has been a brewing pandemic long before Covid-19.
Educators suffer from burnout, stress and not enough time in a day. It’s what Chanelle refers to as “The Elephant in the Classroom,” as she so eloquently presented to a packed house at a Case Western Reserve University TEDx Talk.
She spent more than a decade in the classroom and an additional 5 years in other educational settings. Chanelle serves as CEO of Professional Inspiration, the company she founded 10 years ago that hones in on the source that drives individuals to push harder toward their desired results bringing purpose to the surface. Once that purpose is walked in, she teaches how not to become walked over.
She’s harnessed her skills as a content developer and course facilitator to cultivate curriculum for teachers on the subject of wellness across the country. Chanelle’s accolades include, but are not limited to a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and a Master’s of Education from Notre Dame College. She’s a two-time “Who’s Who in Black Cleveland” award recipient and adjunct professor at Ashland University. Chanelle is currently working toward attaining her doctorate in education.
This session will be co-led by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative (CBHTI). Participants will learn about IDPH’s work to support children’s health and children’s mental health across the state, including information about the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership, which is newly housed at IDPH. The session will also discuss the implementation of the Blueprint for Transformation: A Vision for Improved Behavioral Healthcare for Illinois Children, with a focus on strategies for improving child well-being by strengthening families, schools and communities. The session will provide an overview of the BEACON care portal and work to develop the foundation for mental health screenings in schools. The session will highlight successes in improving interagency coordination and community engagement and identify next steps to ensure that transformational changes impact Illinois students.
We live in a chaotic, cacophonous world that increasingly overwhelms our students. Today’s youth are facing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety. From the constant barrage of news and social media to the pressures of academic and social expectations, it can be difficult for them to quiet the “noise” and focus. Join this interactive session to learn how mindfulness, visualization, and intentional listening techniques can transform your classroom into a haven where students thrive. In this session, you’ll discover practical strategies to help manage stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being.
In this session, leaders within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Office of Social and Emotional Learning (OSEL) will share about their district-wide Healing-Centered Framework and a key priority to enhance implementation of tiered SEL teaming structures, including Culture & Climate Teams (CCT) and Behavioral Health Teams (BHT) in every district school. These tiered SEL teaming structures are a critical lever of a comprehensive multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) for schools to implement trauma-engaged practices and healing-centered approaches.
Director, Healing-Centered Supports, Chicago Public Schools
As the Director of Healing-Centered Supports, Adam is charged with developing and implementing cohesive strategy for scaling and deepening the implementation of Chicago Public Schools' Healing-Centered Project and aligned initiative strategies. This includes implementing a cohesive... Read More →
Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Redbird A
On February 1st, 2018, Heather died on the floor at school after suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest at the age of 28. Working long hours each day trying to make a name for herself in the world of education, Heather never knew that you could literally become stressed to death. Since her near-death experience, one that less than 9% of people survive, Heather has learned about the negative impact of stress on the brain, heart, and body, and the importance of keeping your stress levels in check.
Using humor, her personal experience, and data, Heather passionately educates others about heart health and how important it isto learn to manage stress before you too, are stressed to death.
Principal, Winnebago CUSD 323/Dorothy Simon Elementary School
On February 1st, 2018, Heather died on the floor at work after suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest at the age of 28.Working long hours each day trying to make a name for herself in the world of education, Heather never knew that you could literally become stressed to death.Since... Read More →
Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Redbird B
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.
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 →
This 60 minute session aims to inform the audience about the impact of toxic stress on mental health and explore ways to address it. We will discuss the causes of toxic stress, including adverse childhood experiences and socio-economic disparities. Additionally, we will highlight strategies to mitigate its impact, such as promoting positive relationships and providing access to mental health services. Furthermore, we will emphasize the importance of working together on a universal level to build resilient spaces that support children, their parents, and the communities they live in. By fostering collaboration and implementing systemic changes, we can create supportive environments for the well-being of all.
Kristine Argue-Mason holds the distinction as the first full-time executive director for Partnership for Resilience, an Illinois non-profit corporation working to improve academic, health, and social outcomes for children by fostering trauma-responsive schools and effective family... Read More →
How you talk to yourself matters. In this highly interactive sessoin we'll focus on how the concept of, wellness begins within, starts with how we talk to and about ourselves. Explore how four common forms of self-talk impact personal choices, habits, and routines. Assess how the quality of your thoughts connect to the quality of your professional and personal relationships. Identify practical ways to influence your thought patterns and unleash better outcomes.
I design, facilitate and provide professional development for educators and leaders on a wide range of topics that integrates wellness activities for adult learners. I'm an author, adjunct professor and co-owner of Tumbao Bilingual Books. I approach my work with a passion for building... Read More →
Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Redbird F
In this interactive breakout session, participants will explore practical self-care strategies while examining the intersection of personal and professional identity. Through mindfulness, movement, and connection, attendees will identify common stressors and discover tools to support their well-being. Focusing on the unique needs of all school staff, we will address how time constraints and guilt often hinder self-care and self-efficacy. Together, we will discuss how to drive systemic change in schools, embracing culturally responsive practices and actionable strategies that prioritize the well-being of the adults who care for our students. Join us to recharge, reflect, and leave equipped to create a more supportive, sustainable school environment.
Farm to School implementation is happening throughout the school building, from school gardens, to the school cafeteria, to the classroom, and through after-school activities and clubs. This session will dive into what Farm to School is, funding opportunities, resources available to schools, and agriculture education. We will showcase success stories from Illinois schools. Attend this session to learn more about ways to incorporate agriculture into your school!
Belonging is the bedrock of a thriving classroom, where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. This session explores strategies to cultivate authentic, meaningful connections that build trust, empathy, and resilience—especially for students navigating the challenges of trauma and adversity. Grounded in Transformative Social-Emotional Learning (tSEL), trauma-informed practices, and healing-centered engagement, participants will discover actionable ways to create emotionally safe and inclusive environments. Educators will learn how to dismantle barriers to belonging, prioritize mental health, and foster culturally responsive spaces that celebrate diversity and nurture resilience. Through practical tools and proven strategies, this session equips educators to inspire student engagement, strengthen relationships, and create classrooms where every learner is empowered to heal, grow, and thrive both academically and emotionally.
Doctora Alexandra Escobar is a Latine social justice and equity leader, passionately committed to advancing educators’ racial and socio-cultural consciousness to better serve students and their families. With a career deeply rooted in achieving educational equity and racial justice... Read More →
In our session, you will hear about our Safety and Threat Assessment Team (STAT) efforts within West 40 Intermediate Service Center and how we are supporting the rethinking of safe school environments. We will discuss ways to achieve the right balance - how you can keep your school physically sound and also help define the roles that everyone plays in Behavioral Threat Assessment. How to identify behavioral warning signs of violence early, common barriers to reporting behaviors once they are recognized, and appropriate and timely prevention and intervention techniques to best help our kids in need. We will review data surrounding targeted attacks, explore digital leakage and social media tools our youth are using, and drive home the importance of being proactive - see something, say something, DO SOMETHING.
School Safety & Threat Assessment Specialist, West 40 Intermediate Service Center #2
Wil is the School Safety and Threat Assessment Specialist for West40. He brings over 30 years’ experience in law enforcement, safety, and security in both the public and private sectors. As a police officer, Wil was a Medal of Merit recipient, earned the Firearms Proficiency... Read More →
Building strong mental health support systems in schools requires collaboration with the broader community. This program focuses on fostering partnerships between schools and local mental health organizations, healthcare providers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to create a comprehensive approach to student well-being. Participants will learn strategies for identifying and engaging potential community partners, developing mutually beneficial collaborations, and leveraging resources to address mental health challenges. By integrating external expertise with school-based initiatives, this program aims to expand access to services, reduce stigma, and promote a culture of mental health awareness. Key outcomes include:
Establishing sustainable partnerships to enhance mental health resources.
Building a network of support to address diverse student needs.
Empowering educators and staff with tools and training for effective mental health advocacy.
This program is designed for school administrators, counselors, educators, and community members who are passionate about strengthening mental health support systems for students.
Owner, Rise and Thrive Wellness and Community Partner for KSD 111
Megan Campbell, ATR-BC, LCPC, owner of Rise & Thrive Wellness brings over 12 years of experience in clinical supervision, education, and leadership. As the owner of a dynamic group private practice for over 8 years, Megan oversees two thriving offices located in Bradley and Kankakee... Read More →
Tuesday April 8, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT
Redbird G
In this session, teacher wellness advocate Chanelle R. Walker, M.Ed. uplifts and inspires teachers to infuse their passion, power, and purpose into their daily classroom routines, instruction, and teaching environment. This session will be packed with practical and thoughtful strategies to help teachers tap into their intrinsic motivation to boost morale and overall wellness. Using real talk, humor, and reflection, Walker will help empower teachers to proclaim and reclaim their passion, power, and purpose as educators.
This interactive session explores how relational, restorative, and resilient practices contribute to fostering overall school and classroom wellness. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to foster connection, resolve conflict, and build resilience within clasroom and school communities, ensuring all members thrive together
One of the first big accomplishments we remember as a child is learning our A,B, C's - now join me as I guide you through a new alphabet of mindful and meditative words. Gain inspiration and apply mindful tricks/tips for being more present and joyful to all parts of your life.
Lead Educator and MBSEL Facilitator, ROE #45 Red Brick Safe School / All About MMEE LLC
I’m a 26 year educator. I have worked with Safe Schools and Mission Schools for fifteen of those years of service. I’m a Speech Communication/ ELA/ and Psychology Educator. I received my certifications with Mindful Schools in 2022 and The Engaged Mindfulness Institute in 2023... Read More →
Tuesday April 8, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT
Redbird F
Participants are invited to support their own wellness and reignite their love for leadership by coming together in community to learn well-being skills and tools. The dynamic and demanding nature of administration can leave school and district leaders feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and burned out. This breakout session will delve into the unique challenges faced by administrators and explore strategies for cultivating collective well-being in the school building.
Join Illinois State Board of Education Nutrition Department staff for a big breakfast presentation! We’ll cover marketing and outreach, Breakfast After the Bell serving models, grants, and other information to help expand your breakfast. Breakfast fuels student success!
Urban Initiatives (UI) has partnered with Network 11 in Chicago Public Schools to host an eight-session PD series designed explicitly for PE teachers to support social emotional learning in their classes. PE represents a unique opportunity to integrate SEL into lessons, and this PD series based on a research validated coaching methodology supports PE teachers to do exactly that. Participants will learn about the methodology, hear best practices on partnerships between nonprofits and school districts, investigate program impact, and get a blueprint for creating a similar program for their district.
Andy is a coach at heart. Beginning his youth development career in Chicago as a nature camp counselor, Andy has worked in affordable housing, after-school programming, and lots and lots of coach training. Excited to be returning to Urban Initiatives after five years working in local... Read More →
Participants will experience engaging professional development focused on strengthening competency and implementation skills regarding Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for Middle school & High School Classrooms. Participants will learn how to engage students with activities to strengthen peer to peer interaction and community building. In this session, participants will gain practical strategies to cultivate an emotionally, physically, and mentally safe classroom climate and culture.
Do you ever imagine how your life would differ if you couldn't see, taste, touch, smell or hear? Many of us take our five senses for granted until we face the threat of losing these precious gifts. Join Mimi to explore the five senses grounding technique, which is free and available to everyone regardless of race, gender or politics. Participants will leave with hands-on activities and resources designed to reignite an appreciation for our senses while reminding us that when life gets overwhelming, staying connected to our body can help us regulate in the present moment.
Professional Development Team Lead, DeKalb Regional Office of Education
Mimi is passionate about supporting teachers and students. Prior to the ROE, she taught middle school and college after working in a jail. She prefers teaching, which is a much tougher and more purposeful gig.
Tuesday April 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Redbird A
For too many young people, their daily lives are impacted by overwhelmingly stressful circumstances, like grief, loss, significant poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, and community violence. Mixing theory and practice, the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport provides youth development professionals with a general understanding of brain development, the impact of adversity on the brain, body, and behavior, and how sport, movement, and play can support healing and positive youth development. This session includes actionable strategies for using evidence-based regulatory activities, building relationships, creating trust and psychological safety, managing challenging behaviors resulting from trauma, and knowing when to seek additional help. Attendees will hear from experts on innovative neurobiology research, its symbiotic connection to sport and mental health, and how both can create healing-centered and inclusive experiences while protecting, nurturing, and embracing young people for every bit of who they are.
Chicago Manager, Center for Healing and Justice through Sport (CHJS)
Ivan is a father to two beautiful girls, born & raised in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. As the youngest son of two Mexican immigrants, he is a proud first-generation college graduate. He has over a decade of experience working with Chicago’s youth, families, and communities... Read More →
Tuesday April 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Redbird B
Schools play a central and critical role in helping students build their capacity to cope with stress and life problems – in other words, resilience. When student feel safe and supported,students have more capacity to be creative, innovative and open to learning. This session features the Resilience Supportive Schools Illinois (REACH) statewide initiative. This initiative is a partnership between Lurie Children’s Hospital Center for Childhood Resilience (CCR), the Illinois State Board of Education and the state's seven Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Hubs. RSSI provides free and voluntary supports that schools need to assess and improve current policies, procedures, and practices through a data-informed approach. The goal of the initiative is to ensure that every student attends a school that is safe and supportive, culturally responsive, relationship based and able to promote the mental health and well being of students and staff. Come learn the ways in which RSSI helps school leaders create tailor-made plans that prioritize the pillars of student resilience most relevant to their school community.
Learn how to maximize your consulting potential as a school social worker, psychologist, or counselor in the school, or how to consult with them as a teacher or administrator. Their unique, clinical expertise offers out-of-the-box brainstorming for difficult behavioral challenges in the classroom or other school settings. Whether the intervention needed is simply a conversation about a student, call home to a parent together, or a Tier 2 or 3 intervention, their input offers relief to the academic team member. After hearing a few successful case examples, attendees will offer currently challenging situations and brainstorm solutions to bring back to their schools with a procedural model to own and make their own with their respective home school teams. The Triple A (AAA) Model will be applied: Awareness, Assessment, & Apply.
School Social Worker, DuPage High School District 88--Willowbrook High School
Erik Engel, LCSW, is currently a veteran school social worker of over 25 years, having worked in a variety of settings from residential to alternative to public high school. He cofounded a program within his current high school for students who are diagnosed with anxiety and depression... Read More →
A discussion based on the findings that social-psychologist Jonathan Haidt shares in his book, The Anxious Generation. Haidt argues that the combination of the decline of play-based childhoods, exacerbated by newer styles of parenting, and increasing smartphone use has led to a mental health crisis for a generation of children. Time will be spent discussing ways both school districts and policy makers can work to promote reduced screen time for children, while promoting increased free-play and independnce.
SEL Coach, Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education
Beth is a former elementary school teacher where she taught in the Chicago Public School system as well as in suburban districts. She has long understood the importance of building strong relationships with her students. More recently she was a Character Development Specialist at... Read More →
Hunger doesn’t end when the bell rings at the end of the school day. Whether it is after school or summer vacation, there are child nutrition programs available that can ensure students are getting the nutrition they need to succeed year-round. Join us for an engaging and interactive session to learn about summer meal programs, after-school snack and supper programs, and more.
Grab some popcorn and join national touring comedians Brendan Eyre and Tim Convy for an evening of good clean fun and laughter!
Brendan Eyre is one of the country’s top up and coming comedians. His unique, laid back perspective on life has landed him spots on Late Night with Seth Meyers on NBC, Comedy Central, AXS TV, and various other national television and radio shows. He is also the cohost of the critically acclaimed Rad Dudecast podcast. He performs regularly at clubs and colleges throughout the country.
Tim Convy was born and raised in St. Louis and after graduating from the University of Missouri, pursued his dreams of rock n' roll stardom. As keyboardist of the rock band Ludo, he performed on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and MTV. Ludo played over one thousand shows all over the country including clubs, colleges, and festivals like Lollapalooza and Warped Tour.
After hanging up his synthesizer, Tim studied improvisation at The Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater in New York and began performing standup comedy shortly after. He’s performed at some of the country’s best venues and many of the most terrible ones.
Tim has also worked as a writer and producer on on a variety of television shows from Comedy Central's Not Safe with Nikki Glaser to MTV's House of Style. Tim has moved back to St. Louis to combine his love of music and comedy. He can be heard every weekday morning on the radio on 106.5 The Arch's, The Courtney Show.
Tuesday April 8, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm CDT
The Normal Theater209 W North St, Normal, IL 61761, USA
