SOWIC Academy 2025-2026

SOWIC Academy is a training program that serves as a resource for both cooperative and member district professionals. The training extension, SOWIC Academy for Families, provides training support for our SOWIC families, including students served in our cooperative programs as well as families of students who attend any of our member districts. Training session topics reflect the needs expressed by both SOWIC professionals and families and vary from year to year.

Easy IEP Training Session

August 26, 2025 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Participants will receive a guided walkthrough of the Easy IEP platform, including how to navigate the system, input data, and manage student IEPs efficiently and accurately. This hands-on overview will help build confidence in using the platform as a tool to support compliant and student-centered IEP development.

Easy IEP Training Session

August 27, 2025 from 8:30 am – 10:30 am

To Register

TO REGISTER:

Who: All Staff (District Employees and SOWIC Employees)

Where: S.O.W.I.C. Administrative Building – Conference Room (206) 815 N. Larkin Ave. Joliet, IL. 60435

Cost: FREE, Professional Development Credit provided

To RSVP:

Visit: https://bit.ly/SowicAcademy25-26

E-mail sowicacademy@sowic.org or Call 815-741-7777

SOWIC Academy Mini Series Sessions 2025-2026

SOWIC Academy is excited to offer a new Mini Series of remote training sessions – each designed to deliver meaningful content in just about an hour. These brief, targeted sessions are perfect for busy educators looking to build their knowledge and skills without disrupting their schedules. Flexible, focused, and practical—our Mini Series is professional development made manageable.

Foundations First – Understanding Behavior & Using Data Wisely

October 24, 2025 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm via Zoom

Unpack the “why” behind behavior and discover how to use data as your roadmap. This session introduces key behavioral principles and explores how environment, emotional regulation, and student experience influence actions. Learn how to identify triggers and patterns and gain tools to collect meaningful data that drives effective support planning.

Routines that Reach – Positive and Predictable Classroom Management

December 1, 2025 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm via Zoom

Create the kind of classroom that sets students up for success from the start. This session highlights proactive classroom management strategies that prioritize structure, relationships, and consistency. Walk away with ideas for routines, expectations, and proactive tools that reduce disruptions and promote engagement.

Regulation Before Instruction – Supporting Students in the Moment

January 26, 2026 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm via Zoom

Before learning can happen, students must feel safe, regulated, and emotionally ready. This session explores the vital link between regulation and academic success, offering practical strategies to recognize dysregulation early and respond with effective, in-the-moment supports. Participants will learn how to create calming routines, use co-regulation strategies, and incorporate sensory tools that help students regain control and re-engage with learning. By prioritizing regulation first, educators can reduce disruptions and create a more responsive, supportive classroom environment.