Regional Office of Education 47

Congratulations to Tom Wadsworth, pronouncer of the Regional Office of Education #47 spelling bee, named 2025 Regional Volunteer of the Year by the Scripps Spelling Bee. Since 1983, Mr. Wadsworth has helped countless spellers feel confident and at ease on the regional spelling bee stage.

“I had a mission since day one to make sure these kids feel totally at ease,” Wadsworth said. “So that they only worry about their word and that they do the best they can, as relaxed as possible.” Mr. Wadsworth was invited to Washington, D.C., for Bee Week 2025 to receive his award and be recognized for his dedication to the region.
https://youtu.be/LE1X41tmBuA

Please join us for an afternoon of fun on August 8th from 3-5 at Wooden Wonderland Park in Dixon! We can't wait to see you all!
@RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

Grandma Bonnie's School Supply Giveaway - ELEVATE YOUTH CENTER
Thursday, July 31st from 8-11am & 4-6pm
Stop by and pick up school supplies for students of all ages, grab a snack and connect with local agencies offering resources & services !
@RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

Grandma Bonnie's School Supply Giveaway is coming to Franklin Grove!
Monday, July 28th @ Winifred Knox Memorial Library from 3:30 pm - 5:30pm
Fully stocked for school supplies for students of all grade levels!
@RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

The Back to School Bash, scheduled for this morning, has been postponed due to impending weather!
Please stay tuned for our rescheduled date!
@RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

Illinois Elevating Special Educators presents :

*Dyslexia for a Day: A Simulation of Dyslexia , Monday, July 14th @ SVCC

* Math 101 : A Hands-on Approach to Igniting Your Teaching, Wednesday, July 16th @ SVCC

Register @ https://www.roe47.org/page/pl-opportunities-workshops

Register Now !
Dyslexia For a Day: A Simulation of Dyslexia
Monday, July 14, 2025 @ SVCC, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Sign-up here @ https://forms.fillout.com/t/vUvAVnsZmnus?id=rechY7a2jBZX1jD4w

The ROE 47 Office will be closed today in honor of the Fourth of July! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

Join Us for Workplace Wednesday! We are looking for businesses to participate July 9 and July 23 1-1/2-2 hours tour and talk with our teachers about careers and jobs to share with their students. We are looking for teachers who want to learn about careers from businesses. We're excited for our 9th year of Workplace Wednesday, a unique initiative connecting educators with local businesses to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world careers. What is Workplace Wednesday? Workplace Wednesday offers teachers the opportunity to visit local businesses, gaining first hand insight into various careers and the skills required. This experience enables educators to craft real-world lessons, guiding students toward local employment opportunities and fostering a robust talent pipeline within our community. Why Should Your Business Participate? Shape Future Talent: Influence the next generation by showcasing the careers available within your organization. Support Local Workforce Development: Encourage students to pursue careers locally, ensuring a steady stream of skilled employees. Get Involved! Join us in this impactful program and play a pivotal role in preparing students for successful careers right here in our region. To participate or learn more, contact Gail Wright gwright@roe47.org at Lee, Ogle, Whiteside Regional Office of Education. Let's work together to build a brighter future for our students and our community!

Grandma Bonnie's School Supply Closet is coming to your community! MARK YOUR CALENDARS ! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

SIGN UP NOW! Induction & Mentoring Training July 21st, 29th & 31st REGISTER HERE : https://forms.fillout.com/t/vUvAVnsZmnus?id=rec2lmRK6IW5avcRG This Induction and Mentor Training (July 21, 29, 31) is designed to train mentors who are working with a beginning teacher (year 1 or year 2 or in a new teaching area or new district). Topics reviewed will be—school code on the do’s and don’t’s of mentoring, the generational footprint, the adult learner, coaching, using supportive language, creating and analyzing observation tools, how does your evaluation tool connect with new teacher evaluation and mentoring and self-evaluation. Participants will practice doing observations using Danielson and district evaluation tools to help the new teacher grow. Opportunities for mentors to problem-solve situations and issues that may occur in their mentoring experience will be discussed and practiced. The goal is to give the mentor teacher the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to bring conversations with their mentees about teaching practice to a deeper, more meaningful level. The mentor will gain ideas of how to support, coach, and help their mentee grow professionally. This involves three 6-hour instructional days 8:30 am-2:30 pm Workshops will take place at Lee, Ogle, Whiteside Regional Office of Education located at 2214 E. 4th Street, Suite B, Sterling, IL 61081 (next door to Sterling Goodwill).

Donate to the School Supply Closet @ the Sterling Farmer's Market on Saturday, June 21st ! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

Dyslexia for a Day - A Simulation of Dyslexia July 14, 2025 @ 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Registration Required - CLICK HERE Dyslexia simulation training for teachers is a professional development experience designed to help educators gain insight into the daily challenges students with dyslexia face. Through hands-on activities—such as trying to read distorted text, writing under time pressure, or following verbal instructions with distractions—teachers experience the frustration and confusion that dyslexic students often encounter. The goal is to foster empathy, deepen understanding of dyslexia, and equip teachers with strategies to create more inclusive, supportive, and effective learning environments.

Join Us for Workplace Wednesday! We are looking for businesses to participate July 9 and July 23 1-1/2-2 hours tour and talk with our teachers about careers and jobs to share with their students. We are looking for teachers who want to learn about careers from businesses. We're excited for our 9th year of Workplace Wednesday, a unique initiative connecting educators with local businesses to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world careers. What is Workplace Wednesday? Workplace Wednesday offers teachers the opportunity to visit local businesses, gaining first hand insight into various careers and the skills required. This experience enables educators to craft real-world lessons, guiding students toward local employment opportunities and fostering a robust talent pipeline within our community. Why Should Your Business Participate? Shape Future Talent: Influence the next generation by showcasing the careers available within your organization. Support Local Workforce Development: Encourage students to pursue careers locally, ensuring a steady stream of skilled employees. Get Involved! Join us in this impactful program and play a pivotal role in preparing students for successful careers right here in our region. To participate or learn more, contact Gail Wright gwright@roe47.org at Lee, Ogle, Whiteside Regional Office of Education. Let's work together to build a brighter future for our students and our community!

The Sauk Valley STARS Early Childhood Coalition is a collaboration of Early Childhood Service Providers and supporters in Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties. The STARS Coalition is the only early childhood coalition in the ROE's service area that focuses exclusively on early childhood. Why STARS? STARS stands for: Support To Achieve Readiness for School The mission of the Coalition is to plan, provide, and promote a comprehensive and collaborative system that identifies, coordinates, and facilitates equitable access to early education and community services designed to help all children, prenatal through age five, and their families reach their full potential. The STARS Coalition meets bi-monthly on the second Tuesday morning of the month in conjunction with the Region 47 Birth to Five Illinois Advisory Council. Current members include representatives from child care, home visiting, preschool programs, mental health providers, school districts, the child care resource and referral agency, higher education, faith-based representatives, social service providers, chamber of commerce staff, special education providers, early intervention providers, and family and community members. Participants are encouraged to sign on to the Coaltion's Memorandum of Understanding, but it is not required. Anyone interested in advancing early childhood in our region is welcome to attend. If you can't attend regularly, you are welcome to attend when you are able.

Christopher Tennyson Selected for the 2025-2026 AESA Leadership Academy Sterling, IL — The Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) is proud to announce that Christopher Tennyson, Regional Superintendent of Regional Office of Education #47, has been selected to participate in the 2025–2026 AESA Leadership Academy — a distinguished, yearlong professional learning program designed for executive leaders of educational service agencies (ESAs) nationwide. With a deep commitment to advancing education across the ROE #47 service area, Mr. Tennyson has demonstrated strong leadership in supporting local schools, improving educational services, and fostering community partnerships. His selection to the Leadership Academy reflects his dedication to continuous growth and his passion for enhancing the impact of ESAs in Illinois. “Chris has shown exemplary leadership, and we are thrilled to include him in the 2025–2026 Leadership Academy cohort,” said Dr. Joan Wade, AESA Executive Director. “This experience will provide him with invaluable tools and insights to further support his region’s educational goals.” The AESA Leadership Academy equips ESA CEOs and senior leaders with the tools, insights, and networks needed to lead effectively in today’s complex educational landscape. The program features a unique blend of in-person and virtual learning, peer engagement, and a global study tour to Portugal and Spain in April 2026, organized by ACES International. Participants will explore best practices in entrepreneurial leadership, systems innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration, while engaging in high-level discussions with educational leaders and policymakers in Madrid, Barcelona, and Lisbon. “Global connectedness is not a luxury—it’s a leadership necessity,” Dr. Wade added. “Through the Leadership Academy, leaders return to their communities with fresh ideas, new strategies, and the inspiration to lead with purpose.” For more information about the Leadership Academy, please contact Dr. Joan Wade, AESA Executive Director, at jwade@aesa.us or visit www.aesa.us.

JOIN US @ the Whiteside County Senior Center for the School Supply Closet Drive on June 13th @ 12:00 pm. @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

REGISTER NOW - Summer Book Study The School of Hope REGISTER HERE : https://forms.fillout.com/t/vUvAVnsZmnus?id=recItLazTICiZrq7Z Be part of a thought-provoking virtual book study on The School of Hope: The Journey from Trauma and Despair to Achievement, Happiness, and Resilience by Cathleen Beachboard. This book explores how educators can harness the science of hope to transform schools, empower students, and create a culture of resilience. Throughout this study, we will engage in meaningful discussions about practical strategies to support students who have experienced adversity, foster a sense of belonging, and use hope as a powerful tool for academic and personal growth. Each session will focus on key themes from the book, encouraging reflection and action steps to implement in our schools and communities. Participants are responsible for securing their copy of the book. Please contact Grace Heimerdinger-Baake at gheimerdingerbaake@roe47.org with any questions.

SIGN UP NOW! Induction & Mentoring Training July 21st, 29th & 31st REGISTER HERE : https://forms.fillout.com/t/vUvAVnsZmnus?id=rec2lmRK6IW5avcRG This Induction and Mentor Training (July 21, 29, 31) is designed to train mentors who are working with a beginning teacher (year 1 or year 2 or in a new teaching area or new district). Topics reviewed will be—school code on the do’s and don’t’s of mentoring, the generational footprint, the adult learner, coaching, using supportive language, creating and analyzing observation tools, how does your evaluation tool connect with new teacher evaluation and mentoring and self-evaluation. Participants will practice doing observations using Danielson and district evaluation tools to help the new teacher grow. Opportunities for mentors to problem-solve situations and issues that may occur in their mentoring experience will be discussed and practiced. The goal is to give the mentor teacher the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to bring conversations with their mentees about teaching practice to a deeper, more meaningful level. The mentor will gain ideas of how to support, coach, and help their mentee grow professionally. This involves three 6-hour instructional days 8:30 am-2:30 pm Workshops will take place at Lee, Ogle, Whiteside Regional Office of Education located at 2214 E. 4th Street, Suite B, Sterling, IL 61081 (next door to Sterling Goodwill).

Birth to Five Illinois: Region 47 works in Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties to engage with the community. Through engagement efforts, we work to understand how families are accessing Early Childhood Education and Care systems, inform decision makers of families’ needs, and bring community members together to take action to advance Early Childhood Education and Care. With a strong emphasis on community collaboration, we work with a Family Council of local parents and an Action Council of community stakeholders that partner with region 47’s Early Childhood Collaboration, the Sauk Valley STARS.