UPCOMING EVENTS

Register for an upcoming IDEA event!

Wednesday Webinar | Tech Tools Smackdown: AI Tools

3/20/2024 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM via Zoom

In this webinar, a TeachersFirst content manager will showcase our favorite classroom AI assistants in an epic showdown. From creative bots, to time-saving bots, to student-engaging bots, to organizing bots, these artificial intelligence dynamos will digitally duel for the title of most valuable AI. Let our tech-wise coach be your guide in this fast-paced, fun session! 


Illinois educators can earn 1 PDHs for attending this webinar live.

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Lake Forest Country Day School and IDEA Northern Suburbs Spring Conference | Everyone Learns (Inclusion)

4/9/2024 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM

What does equity and inclusion look like for neurodiverse learners and their educators in classrooms on the North Shore of Chicago? Do our classrooms support all learners regardless of their currently apparent ability?


Join Lake Forest Country Day School, IDEA Northern Suburbs and Lee Ann Jung, founder of Lead Inclusion, as we ask these questions and more.


Wednesday Webinar

4/10/2024 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM via Zoom

Check back soon to learn more about our upcoming Wednesday Webinar with our partners, Five Star Technologies!

Wednesday Webinar

4/17/2024 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM via Zoom

Check back soon to learn more about our upcoming Wednesday Webinar with our partners, SMART!


Wednesday Webinar | Spoiler Alert: New Book Creator Features You Can't Miss!

4/24/2024 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM via Zoom

Join Catherine Cappiello as she unveils the latest game-changers within Book Creator's toolbox. Dive deep into powerful updates like seamless LMS integration, centralized libraries, assigning books and more!


Illinois educators can earn 1 PDHs for attending this webinar live.

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Students for Innovation Advocacy Day 2024

5/9/2024 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM at the Illinois State Capitol

Each spring, IDEA hosts districts from all across Illinois at the State Capitol in Springfield for our Students for Innovation: Advocacy Day. Our hope is to provide a platform to demonstrate the importance of innovative learning to our state legislators in order to continue and/or improve funding for innovation in Illinois classrooms. Students are selected through an application process to present their projects at this annual one-day event.


Applications open through !


Wednesday Webinar

5/29/2024 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM via Zoom

Check back soon to learn more about our upcoming Wednesday Webinar with our partners, SMART!


Wednesday Webinar | Cool Tools to Build Communication Skills

6/12/2024 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM via Zoom

In this webinar with our friends from TeacherFirst, you’ll learn how to use innovative tech tools to enhance your students’ communication skills in various contexts and formats and explore how these tools can foster collaboration, critical thinking, empathy, and global awareness among your students in grades 3-12.


Illinois educators can earn 1 PDHs for attending this webinar live.

Learn More!

Wednesday Webinar

7/31/2024 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM via Zoom

Check back soon to learn more about our upcoming Wednesday Webinar with our partners, SMART!


IDEAcon 2025

2/17/2025 - 2/19/2025

Join IDEA for three days where educators can be immersed in a community of leaders and learners. Attendees enjoy a welcoming environment as they create their own journey full of breakout sessions, exhibit hall demos, hands-on activities, thought leader talks, networking opportunities and more. Go at your own pace, take the time to discover, and relish the opportunity to learn, share, and play. IDEAcon is where you'll find your next learning adventure. 


Does your district have remaining PD funds? You can purchase registrations for the 2025 conference now and assign them to specific people once the 24-25 school year starts.

IDEAcon Call for Proposals Open!

IDEAcon isn't just a conference; IDEAcon is an experience. From daily thought leaders in the areas of education and DEI and Accessibility to hundreds of sessions to evening social events that truly make you feel like you're part of the IDEA family, IDEAcon is a conference you won't forget, for all the right reasons.


We encourage any and all educators to consider submitting a proposal. Last year’s event brought smiles, laughter, learning, and a sense of community for many educators. Let’s continue this momentum and connect, celebrate, and achieve once again in 2024.

Learn More!
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