Illinois Resource Center (IRC)

The wait is over! Registration is now OPEN for the 2024 Multilingual IL/ESSA Conference! Join us in Tinley Park December 10-13 for four days, five engaging keynotes, 150+ sessions, infinite opportunities to connect and much, much more.

Building out your PD calendar for 2026 and beyond? Need some technical assistance support? Seeking a thought leader on multilingual education in IL to give a talk at your district or event? We're here for you and always enthusiastic to discuss how we can be effective partners.

Did you know we have a video library featuring a wide selection of presentations from past Bilingual Parents Summits? Explore this resource, with talks available in a variety of languages, on this week's #ToolkitTuesday: @bilingualparentsvideolibra1681" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@bilingualpare…

Are you an educator or administrator who leads the ACCESS testing process in your school? If so, this weekend's webinar with @ShadSalem is for you! Learn effective instructional practices to support student success with ACCESS. RSVP on the IRC website!

At all grade levels, empowering student critical thinking and media literacy skills has never been more important. For #ToolkitTuesday, check out this helpful @Edutopia article on teaching critical media literacy in the age of AI: edutopia.org/article/teachi…

Can't make this weekend's ACCESS and data-focused webinar? We have another one next weekend with @ShadSalem, who will guide participants through creating an action plan to prepare our students for the upcoming ACCESS assessment. RSVP on the IRC website!

We've got a pair of exciting upcoming computer science PD opportunities coming up, starting next week with an all-day virtual session designed to help administrators set their schools up for success when it comes to Illinois's new CS mandate. irc.thecenterweb.org/csel

Convenient, 100% virtual and packed with strategies and resources to meet the needs of your students and colleagues, our Administrator Academies with Illinois Principals Association begin for 2026 next week! Join us by RSVPing on the IPA website.

You don't have to be a coding wizard to empower your multilingual students through computer science integration. Through our CSEL PD sessions, you'll gain the tools to prepare students for a tech-forward future. irc.thecenterweb.org/csel

Investment in support for newcomers, academic interventionists and literacy instruction are among the changes that are improving learning conditions for English Learners in Detroit. chalkbeat.org/detroit/2025/1…

We remain committed in the new year and beyond to ensuring that our schools are safe, affirming and celebratory spaces for immigrant students, staff and families. Visit our websites for an ever-expanding resource bank to share with your communities. tinyurl.com/IRCStuResources

Speaking of the Bilingual Parents Summit, the 20th (!) Annual Statewide Summit for Bilingual Parents will take place Saturday, May 2nd in Tinley Park. Please mark your calendars for this important community convening. Registration and details to follow in the coming months.

Is learning English or changing careers part of your New Years Resolution? The Illinois Adult Education Hotline can help you or your loved ones on this journey! Call or text the hotline in English, Spanish & Polish!

Storytelling can be a powerful tool to empower teens to think critically and express themselves. This article offers more guidance on how to spark that storytelling mindset in your classroom or school library. teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2025/12/02/hel…

New year, same partnership with the Illinois Principals Association to bring informative, relevant educational sessions for school administrators like you! We hope you will join us for our next session on February 4th. Register at the IPA website!

As an official Regional Services and School Improvement Learning Partner, the IRC can support your school with needs assessments, PD & so much more. Visit our website to learn more about how we can best support your team in the year ahead.

A cool tip from @MrsSpinasClass to shake up your classroom discussions — try using novelty bubble dice, have the students roll and then answer a related prompt! Check out more engagement tools for novelty and expression: bit.ly/spinacheapthri… #ToolkitTuesday

Are you a fan of José Medina? His latest podcast interview with EdSource, where he shares his own childhood experiences and how they inform his fight for equitable, inclusive multilingual education, is a must-listen! edsource.org/podcast/how-on…

Looking for a little inspiration in the New Year? Our friends at Colorín, Colorado have created a jam-packed list with videos, articles and more with ideas of how to support ELLs in 2026 and beyond. colorincolorado.org/article/fiftee…

Our first CSEL workshop of the year is this week! If you're a middle or high school educator looking to integrate computer science into your multilingual classroom, check out this opportunity. Register on the IRC website! irc.thecenterweb.org/csel

This weekend, join Dana Piraino for an exploration of scaffolding and differentiation strategies and supports, including low-prep, high-engagement activities and games, agency ideas and more to unlock student potential. RSVP on the IRC website.