September 11 — We Remember
Today, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and the families, first responders, and communities forever changed by that day.
We remember the courage of those who ran toward danger to help others.
We remember the countless acts of kindness and service that followed.
We remember.
25 years later, we continue to honor the lives lost and the heroes who responded with courage and compassion.
Never Forget.
Photo: Bri Rodriguez / FEMA, September 27, 2001
Join Dr. Weber to dig into ACT results, identify trends and achievement gaps, and turn data into actionable next steps for your school!
📈 Compare 2025 results with state & national benchmarks
🎯 Identify priorities for intervention and improvement
💬 Work directly with Dr. Weber on your group’s data and questions
🍽️ Lunch provided!
Please plan to stay until 2:00 PM for individualized data work.
In partnership with the Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education #39, Damon West generously gave his time to bring a message of hope, resilience, and being a “Coffee Bean” to students and staff across our region.
Damon started the morning at MacArthur High School, sharing his powerful message with students before heading to Meridian Elementary School’s temporary location in Stonington. After a tornado damaged their school, Meridian students and staff have continued to show incredible strength and resilience while embracing the Be a Coffee Bean message.
Damon surprised the students by visiting classrooms and the cafeteria, bringing smiles and excitement throughout the school. It was especially special to see the kids’ excitement as they met the author of The Coffee Bean for Kids! ☕️📚
He then headed to Eisenhower High School to continue the message of hope and remind students that, even when circumstances are difficult, we have the power to make a difference in the world around us.
A HUGE thank-you to Damon West for choosing to give back to Decatur and invest his time and message in our students. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and the impact you made in our schools!
And a very special thank-you to Dr. Nicole Moody, Mr. Cordell Ingram, Dr. Mistie Rodriguez, Mrs. Sarah Major, and Dr. Shane Gordon for welcoming us into your schools and helping make this day possible. We are grateful for your partnership! ❤️
When life gets tough, be the coffee bean. ☕️
#BeACoffeeBean #DamonWest #Hope #Resilience #DecaturIL #MaconPiattROE39 #GiveBack #OurStudentsOurFuture
Day 1: Gerry Brooks will kick things off with the humor and heart he’s known for from over 25 years in education, encouraging attendees to lead with positive climate and culture.
Day 2: Kim Strobel will start our second day with an energizing look at happiness, well-being, and reclaiming your “why” as an educator.
You won’t want to miss either one!
🗓️ December 7th & 8th
📍 Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center
🎟️ One day $260 | Two days $415
✨ Early bird discount available for a limited time: use code EARLYBIRD!
➡️ Register: https://rsac2026.sched.com/
Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois will be hosting an informational session covering:
• TRS Basics & Retirement Benefits
• Disability & Death Benefits
• TRS Timeline
• Health Insurance (TRIP/TRAIL)
• TRS Supplemental Savings Plan (SSP)
📅 September 24, 2026
🕟 4:30 p.m.
📍 Mt. Zion High School
315 S. Henderson St., Mt. Zion, IL 62549
No registration needed! Just come and learn more about your TRS benefits and retirement options.
Happy Labor Day!
Today, we celebrate and recognize the hard work, dedication, and contributions of workers everywhere. Thank you to all who help make our communities, schools, and workplaces stronger each day!
Wishing everyone a safe, relaxing, and happy Labor Day! ❤️🤍💙
#ROE39
Our office will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
We will resume regular office hours on Tuesday, September 8. Have a safe and happy Labor Day! ❤️🤍💙
🎙️ What a morning at ROE #39!
A HUGE thank you to Brian, Lindsay, Nick, and the Byers & Co. team for bringing their live radio broadcast to the Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education this morning! We loved having you here and appreciate the opportunity to share with our communities more about what happens behind the scenes at ROE #39.
Our staff had the opportunity to talk about the many ways we support our schools, students, educators, and communities—from attendance and truancy support, alternative education programs, educator licensure, bus driver training, technology and AI, social-emotional learning, school safety, building inspections, and our new work-study program.
Perhaps my favorite part of the morning—watching our staff step outside their comfort zones! For some, getting behind a microphone and talking on live radio was definitely outside their usual wheelhouse. But they did it, shared their expertise, and represented ROE #39 incredibly well. I am so proud of them!
Thank you to everyone who helped make this morning happen—from setting up the room and backdrop to preparing talking points and, most importantly, being willing to share the work you do every day.
Thank you again to Byers & Co. for helping us tell the story of ROE #39 and the many ways we support our schools and communities.
Here are a few photos from the morning! 📸
Join our SEL Cohort and become part of a collaborative learning community focused on strengthening social and emotional learning practices. Each month, we'll explore a new SEL topic, share ideas, and leave with practical strategies you can use in your school or classroom.
📅 Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month:
September 9 • October 14 • November 11 • January 13 • February 10 • April 14
Register today and connect, collaborate, and grow with fellow educators! - https://bit.ly/45LlF6f
VESi offers online continuing education courses to fit your educational needs. Take courses when and where you want after settling back in this fall!
Learn More: virtualeduc.com/ioa
Join us for a 6-week virtual book study of Healthy Teachers, Happy Classrooms by Dr. Marcia Tate. Learn simple, practical strategies to reduce stress, prevent burnout, and create a positive classroom where both you and your students can thrive.
📚 Invest in your well-being while gaining tools you can use right away.
Register here today! - https://bit.ly/4w9H7wN
The Macon County Harvestfest Student Art Showcase is coming to Harvestfest, October 9–11, 2026, at the Macon County Fairgrounds!
Students from across Macon County are invited to showcase their artwork as part of this exciting new event celebrating creativity and community. If you know an art teacher or have students who love creating, be sure to share this opportunity!
See the attached flyer for participation details. We look forward to seeing the amazing talent from schools across Macon County!
The ROE #39 Regional School Safety Team recently came together to kick off our fourth year of school safety planning, preparation, and partnership across Macon and Piatt Counties.
This year, we’re seeing more commitment than ever from our schools and community partners. Administrators and staff from public and private schools joined law enforcement officers, fire departments, emergency management, and other community partners to begin another year of working together to strengthen safety and preparedness in our schools.
The team is led by Regional School Safety Director Shane Brandel, whose leadership and dedication continue to bring these important partners together throughout the year.
We were also grateful to welcome Andrea Tortora and her team from The Center for Prevention of Abuse, who provided an important awareness training focused on human trafficking awareness and prevention.
School safety is not a one-time training or a checklist—it’s an ongoing commitment to planning, practicing, communicating, and working together.
Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to be part of this important work. We are grateful for your continued partnership and commitment to keeping our students, schools, and communities safe.
Join us for The Whole-Brain Child Workbook book study and learn easy-to-use strategies that help children manage emotions, build strong relationships, and succeed in school. You'll leave with ideas and activities you can start using right away.
📚 Tuesdays: September 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
Register today and add practical tools to your educator toolkit!
https://bit.ly/4wentQg
Join the Teaching & Learning Collaborative to connect, share ideas, and grow together with educators across Macon and Piatt counties.
📅 Tuesday, September 22
🌱 Elementary: 9:00–11:00 AM
📚 Secondary: 12:30–2:30 PM
👥 For instructional leaders, administrators, and school improvement teams.
Register Here!
Elementary - https://bit.ly/3SmUxaO
Secondary - https://bit.ly/3SEth7P
Join our SEL Cohort and become part of a collaborative learning community focused on strengthening social and emotional learning practices. Each month, we'll explore a new SEL topic, share ideas, and leave with practical strategies you can use in your school or classroom.
📅 Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month:
September 9 • October 14 • November 11 • January 13 • February 10 • April 14
Register today and connect, collaborate, and grow with fellow educators! - https://bit.ly/45LlF6f
🌟 Thrive Together: New Educator Collaborative
Teaching in your first few years can come with plenty of questions, challenges, and exciting wins. You don't have to navigate them alone!
Designed for educators in years 1–3, Thrive Together provides a supportive space to connect with peers, share ideas, celebrate successes, and work through challenges together. Participants will gain practical strategies and build a strong professional network through quarterly in-person dinner gatherings and monthly virtual check-ins.
🤝 Connect. Share. Grow. Thrive Together.
Register Here! - https://bit.ly/4iiWL5u
The content test has been waived for individuals seeking the Short-Term Approval for school support endorsements in School Nurse, School Social Worker, School Counselor, School Psychologist and SLP.
Contact Dee Williams at dwilliams@roe39.org for more information on how to apply for this temporary credential!
🌟 Thrive Together: New Educator Collaborative
Teaching in your first few years can come with plenty of questions, challenges, and exciting wins. You don't have to navigate them alone!
Designed for educators in years 1–3, Thrive Together provides a supportive space to connect with peers, share ideas, celebrate successes, and work through challenges together. Participants will gain practical strategies and build a strong professional network through quarterly in-person dinner gatherings and monthly virtual check-ins.
🤝 Connect. Share. Grow. Thrive Together.
Register Here! - https://bit.ly/4iiWL5u
Join us for Understanding the Neurosequential Model in Education and discover practical, brain-based strategies to help students regulate, relate, and respond. Creating more opportunities for meaningful learning.
Learn how to better understand student behavior and leave with tools you can use right away!
Register today!
