Convention Highlights

Spotlight Panel – Mental Health: Picking Up the Pieces after COVID-19 (Friday, 10:45 - 12:10)

You are invited to join us for a powerful special session. This is an excellent, timely opportunity to hear from respected experts when it comes to our young population. Whether you work in education or live with/care for a child or teen, this conference has real potential to change outlooks and improve lives.

Public health emergencies such as COVID-19 have a significant impact on students and their families, educators and the school mental health workforce, as well as the school mental health system. Addressing the mental health impact on students, parents, teachers and school personnel has become more important and necessary than ever before.

Attending to mental health needs is as important for educators as it is for students. We are role models, we are caregivers, we are first responders (much too often, lately). If we are to establish environments that are healthy, safe, and supportive for students, we must be working to address our own health and well-being.

It is important to understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has and will likely continue to magnify and exacerbate social and economic inequities for many. We ask our friends and colleagues to keep a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at heart as we continue to adjust and reimagine the work ahead of all of us.
Panelists include:

• Dr. Dorcas Adaramola, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, SIU
• Dr. Vidhya Prakash, MD, Infectious Disease Professor, SIU
• Dr. David Rosen, MD, Washington School of Medicine
• Catherine Cook, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Homewood-Flossmoor High School
• Tarsha Wiggins, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Founder of Speak Wellness Behavioral Health Consulting

Emerging Leaders Cohort (Saturday 1:00 - 4:00 pm)

Join other ICTA members in exploring your leadership potential! Lauren Morgan, College of DuPage, will lead this interactive workshop to help participants understand how to "lead from where you are" and develop a foundation for achieving your personal and professional goals. No previous leadership experience necessary. A box lunch will be provided for participants. Indicate your desire to participate when you register.

Past Presidents’ Reception (Thursday, 8:30 - 10:00)

This relatively new ICTA tradition is a good way to begin the 2021 Convention; you won’t want to miss it! Join us on Thursday evening starting at 8:30 p.m. to kick off the Convention with a meet and greet hosted by ICTA Past Presidents including BJ Lawrence, Jan Heiteen, Adam Jenkins, Judy Santacaterina, and Jeff Przybylo. This reception will take place in River A-D. All attendees are invited. Meet colleagues - old and new! Snacks and raffle prizes will be included!

President’s Reception (Friday, 8:00 - 10:30)

Friday evening, this year’s President will welcome you with desserts and Team Trivia! The reception will begin at 8 p.m. (after dinner on your own).

Electronic Script Exchange (Forensics)

For many years, ICTA has sponsored a script exchange as one of our key services at convention. For the past several years, we have collected scripts electronically to share with interested members. All those who would like to participate need to send an electronic copy of a performance ready script for PR, POET, OD, HI, HDA, DI, or DDA. Be sure to include specific publication information as well.  If you are interested in participating, please send your script to Justin Matkovich at jmatkovich@csd99.org between NOW and October 3. The collected scripts will then be e-mailed to all who contributed.

Electronic Lesson Plan Exchange (Communication)

The Swap Shop has been a highlight of ICTA for many years. Swap shop participants email a lesson plan, article, activity, etc. for the communication classroom. Classroom or extracurricular activities. Members who would like to participate should email an activity, lesson plan, article, etc. to Justin Matkovich at jmatkovich@csd99.org between NOW and October 3. The collected lessons will then be e-mailed to all who contributed a lesson.

Book and Materials Exchange

Bring books or materials related to your discipline that you would like to contribute to the exchange table; take books that interest you. This is a fantastic way to pass along materials and books and to find some new gems.

Food and Conversation

If you stay at the hotel, breakfast is included with your hotel room. If you don’t stay at the hotel, your convention fee includes a light breakfast on both Friday and Saturday morning, 7:30–8:30 a.m. or so. For everyone attending Friday, your convention registration includes the luncheon (reservation requested).

Professional Development Units

ICTA is a registered Professional Development Provider for Illinois K-12 teachers. PD hours are earned 1 per eligible session. Please use the “Conference-at-a-Glance” as your checklist. You will also need to fill out an evaluation form (77-21A), available at the registration table. Return this to the registration table and provide your IEIN number. You will receive the completion form (77-21B). If you have any questions, please talk to Ed Schwarz.