In our latest blog, Factors Education highlights how Illinois districts are shaping Portrait of a Graduate work. Read the full blog here: http://www.ideaillinois.org/portraitofagraduateblog Help Factors Education collect data by completing an AI interview here: https://factors.world/join/L9376P

📣 Register for SLEdCon 2026! This free, one-day conference is hosted by IDEA's Kishwaukee chapter on July 30 at Rockford University. Register now: https://ideail.org/SLEdCon2026 #IDEAil #EdTech #Innovation #Education #ProfessionalLearning

Some of the biggest frustrations in education have nothing to do with the classroom. In our latest partner blog, Tochan AI explores how AI can help students, families, and staff get answers in seconds. Learn more here: http://www.ideaillinois.org/realproblemaicouldsolveblog #IDEAil #education

The Real Problem AI Could Solve in Schools

ideaillinois.org

Still answering the same parent questions every day? A school chatbot can handle 85% of them instantly & around the clock. Free up your front office. Book a free demo for your school today with our partners at Tochan AI ↓ tochanai.com

Did you know Disney has designs for use within Canva? And when using a Disney design, users get info about what usage is allowed and what isn't. The right time now it is to make sure our students know an image being on the internet ≠ getting to use that image no questions asked. #IDEAil #EduSky

Miss the latest issue of #IDEAil newsletter? Check it out now for tips on using video projects with students, Marcus Luther's latest Broken Copier podcast episode about "good" teaching, why retakes are important for assessing student learning, and more! ideaillinois.org/bigIDEAs #EduSky

Ready to transform how your students navigate the digital world? Join IDEA and TeachersFirst for this dynamic Wednesday Webinar where Harvard's proven Thinking Routines become your secret weapon for building thoughtful digital citizens! https://ideail.org/AmplifyImpact5626 #IDEAil #EduSky

Conferences thrive when vendors, attendees, and organizers all succeed. Tech Dir. Dr. Mike McGowan, aka Dr. DSNY, explores the changing vendor landscape at conferences and what can be done to strengthen ROI and relationships. http://www.ideaillinois.org/thechangingvendorhallblog. #IDEAil #EduSky

IDEA is launching the search for its next Executive Director. We’re looking for a passionate leader ready to guide the organization into its next 40 years. Full job description + application details are on our website at https://www.ideaillinois.org/job-openings. #EduSky

Don Sturm is 🤔 and Stefanie Crawford take time to reflect as they record their final episode together and discuss the value of in person learning. It’s a thoughtful and real conversation about connection, change, and what comes next. https://ideail.org/ThatsTheIdeaPodcast #IDEAil #EduSky

The IDEA Northern Suburbs Chapter MiniCon is happening tomorrow, Saturday, April 18, and if you forgot to register, we've got you covered. Register now or at the event and spend your morning learning with other innovative and creative educators. https://ideail.org/MiniCon2026 #IDEAil #EduSky

Missed last week's issue of the Big IDEAs Newsletter? Find brain breaks for middle schoolers, why reading whole novels with students is beneficial, resources for social studies teachers through the Bill of Rights Institute, and more. https://ideail.org/BigIDEAs4226 #IDEAil #EduSky

Join Don Sturm is 🤔 and Stefanie Crawford as they sit down with Dr. Sawsan Jaber, NBCT for a powerful conversation about student voice, identity, and what it truly means to create human-centered classrooms. Listen now at https://ideail.org/ThatsTheIdeaPodcast! #IDEAil #EduSky

See how teachers can partner with Scrible to support the writing process, keeping the productive struggle, sparking curiosity, supporting research, and deepening learning while also helping enable responsible AI use in schools. https://ideail.org/ScriblePopUp41026 #IDEAil #EduSky

The IDEA Northern Suburbs Chapter MiniCon is back and happening in person in Lake Forest, IL on April 18 from 9AM - 12:00PM. Open to all educators, it will be a morning of connection and cultivating new ideas. Register today at https://ideail.org/MiniCon2026. #IDEAil #EduSky

Last Friday, March 27, was National AI Literacy Day, and if you missed last week's issue of the IDEA newsletter, you missed out on some resources for educators working to teach their students AI literacy, not AI tools. Access the issue now at https://ideail.org/BigIDEAs32626! #IDEAil #EduSky

IDEA Executive Director Stefanie Crawford explores why we need to do better with accessibility around voice amplification in education spaces in the newest IDEA blog. Read it now at http://www.ideaillinois.org/caneveryonehearmeblog. #IDEAil #accessibility #EduSky

Administrators and school IT professionals, join IDEA for a free, open-house style event where several K12 technology solution providers will showcase their newest offerings with space for meaningful 1:1 conversations. https://ideail.org/Showcase41726. #IDEAil #EduSky

Don't miss out on the chance for three hours of in-person connections and learning with other educators at the IDEA Northern Suburbs MiniCon. Find more information and register today at https://ideail.org/MiniCon2026. #IDEAil #EduSky

Making your dreams a reality in a world that feels very heavy can seem out of reach. Educator, author, and illustrator Jed Dearybury gives some advice on how to take those dreams and give them life. http://www.ideaillinois.org/givingdreamslifeblog. #IDEAil #EduSky

Bringing a group of students to participate in Students for Innovation: Advocacy Day leaves a lasting impact, but don't take our word for it. Sign up to showcase your students' voices today at https://ideail.org/Students4Innovation2026! #IDEAil #EduSky #Innovation #Education

In our latest partner blog, The Connecting Link looks at the questions educators should be asking to have more meaningfully engaged students. These questions go beyond behavior management and look more deeply at the students. http://www.ideaillinois.org/theclassroomshiftblog. #IDEAil #EduSky

There's still time to join us for a 1-day, in-person Coaching Summit on Monday, 3/9 in Arlington Heights. Attend morning sessions followed by lunch sponsored by MagicSchool.ai and an afternoon of Edcamp-style sessions where attendees choose the learning. https://ideail.org/Coaching3926 #IDEAil

Don Sturm is 🤔 and Stefanie Crawford talk with Stefanie Pitzer, 2025 IDEA Admin EOY, about building a culture of readers with practical takeaways, relationship-driven leadership, and the importance of embracing what makes you “extra." https://ideail.org/ThatsTheIdeaPodcast. #IDEAil #EduSky

Sign up now to bring your innovative students to the Capitol Building in Springfield on Thursday, April 30. IDEA's Students for Innovation: Advocacy Day gives K–12 students a powerful platform to shine. Find more info at https://ideail.org/Students4Innovation2026 #IDEAil #EduSky

Register now for IDEA's free Pop-Up Workshop with Common Sense Education's Sr. Education Manager, Jennifer Ehehalt. This in-person workshop takes place on March 10 in Arlington Heights, IL from 9:00-2:00. Register now at https://ideail.org/CommonSense31026. #IDEAil #EduSky

Join us March 9 in Arlington Heights for IDEA’s one‑day Coaching Summit. This is a space for coaches and aspiring coaches to connect, learn, and grow. Breakouts, Edcamp-style sessions, and lunch from MagicSchool AI included. Register now at https://ideail.org/Coaching3926. #IDEAil #EduSky

The IDEA Northern Suburbs Chapter MiniCon is coming back! It's a great opportunity to learn with and from peers, but it's also the perfect place to try out presenting a new session or to present for the first time. Submit your proposal today at https://ideail.org/2026MiniConCFP! #IDEAil #EduSky

“If you have a seat at the table but you don’t have any power, you don’t have a seat at the table.” - @educatoralexander.bsky.social #IDEAcon #IDEAil #EduSky

#IDEAcon welcome reception on Monday has drone soccer, board games, and Mario Kart time trials thanks to IHSEA where the winner receives a free IHSEA membership. Discover how play fits in for everyone. Not registered for IDEAcon? Register today at https://ideail.org/go2IDEAcon26. #IDEAil #EduSky