Branching Out is a weekly, bite-sized video series from our Professional Learning Department filled with engaging instructional strategies that can be implemented in any classroom. You can find a sample of the topics covered below.

To browse all Branching Out videos, visit the playlist on our YouTube page.

LEARNING GAMES

Game on for student engagement! Faye spotlights fun, classroom-ready games from Edutopia that give students different ways to think, talk, move, and create.

SUIT YOURSELF

Shuffle up your classroom discussions! Jenny shares a technique from CASEL that has students use playing cards to reflect on and discuss topics.

COACH THE CONVERSATION

What is your purpose for reading? Elsa shares a strategy to help students become more intentional readers.

Online Courses

We provide timely and relevant support to educators in their journey to meet the ever-increasing demands of teaching and leading through a variety of synchronous and asynchronous online workshops. All offerings provide participants with research-based, relevant resources and help address the critical issues facing educators today. 

Through these opportunities, educators are empowered to make immediate and long-lasting changes in their professional practice to help increase student achievement while also meeting their social and emotional needs.

Administrator Academies

By statute, every administrator must complete a minimum of one approved academy annually and a minimum of five in each administrator certificate renewal period.  

The Illinois Online Academy provides a range of online academies that meet this criteria while providing research-based strategies to help you on you journey. Topics range from combatting educator burnout, meeting and presentation tips, restorative practices, and more.