Convention Workshops
Friday, April 4, 2025 – 9:00 am to 10:30 am
Protecting Our Kids in the Digital World
This presentation will discuss behaviors and perspectives of youth as they engage with technology,
specifically social media and online games. Risks posed to youth will be discussed, along with recommendations and resources for reporting. Special attention will be given to topics of sexting and sextortion. Parents will learn how to better-protect kids as they navigate the digital world.
Presenter: Karilyn Orr is an Internet Safety Specialist with the Illinois Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. She regularly provides training and online safety education to the public, law enforcement agencies, and youth-serving organizations, in effort to prevent child exploitation and victimization. She has a background in Social & Behavioral Sciences, and also teaches college courses in Sociology, Social Psychology, Criminology, and more. Karilyn has also spent time in India working with a non-profit organization that houses and educates parentless and at-risk youth. Overall, Karilyn’s passion is spreading knowledge and providing resources to prevent harm and protect innocent children.
Together We Can Make It Happen: Your Voice, Our Community
Join the conversation on how we can expand representation in our community’s leadership and membership. We’ll reflect on what’s important to all of us and explore practical ideas to promote inclusion. Together, we can create a vision where everyone feels welcome and valued.
Presenters: Peggy Staehlin is currently the Illinois PTA Secretary and chair of the Diversity and Outreach Committee. She has served in a variety of PTA roles during her 37 years in the association; from local unit volunteer to state president.
Olesya Malloy
James Hardin
Friday, April 4, 2025 – 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Calm in Chaos – Empowering Parents with Childhood Calming Techniques
In this interactive session, parents and PTA officers will explore the impact of childhood trauma on behavior and the importance of calming strategies in daily life. Through a blend of discussion and hands-on practice, participants will learn effective techniques to help children navigate stress, regulate emotions, and find calm amidst chaos. Gain practical tools and insights to support emotional resilience at home and in school environments.
The session will include information on why the brain goes into “survival mode” and can cause outbursts of aggressive or destructive behaviors.
There will be a “toolbox” of resources on each table and discussions about how each helps the brain “calm” in the midst of survival mode. Strategies on how parents, educators, anyone can incorporate these tools into every aspect of the day. Discussions on what works and what doesn’t when a child is in dysregulation.
Presenter: Lisa Ward is an experienced educator with a Masters in Special Education, a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Education, and an Associates in Early Childhood Education. Currently the Instructional Technology Manager at Southwestern Illinois College, Lisa has specialized in integrating technology to enhance learning for all students.
With over a decade as a content specialist on an Illinois State Board of Education funded grant and 15 years as a Special Education and Middle School Teacher, Lisa has a deep understanding of the challenges facing students in today’s ever-changing environments. Lisa has been passionate about social emotional learning, equipping educators, parents and children with the tools and strategies to support emotional growth and understanding.
Constructive Conflict
Workshop Description: As soon as the word conflict is mentioned, people tend to think of it as bad. As a matter of fact, conflict can provide many benefits. We all know that when people are working together, conflict is inevitable! This workshop will discuss how to turn conflict into a positive experience and make your PTA more productive. You will measure the kind and amount of conflict you experience on the Conflict Continuum. Learn about Dealing With People You Can’t Stand. Leave with some strategies to help your PTA members work together better.
Presenter: Anna Weselak is a seminar trainer, consultant and owner of Weselak & Associates in Lombard, IL. She is a member of the Association for Talent Development, the Oak Brook Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Board of Directors of the Lombard Chamber of Commerce. She is a past president of the Illinois and National PTA. Anna is a Past President of the Zonta Club of Oak Brook and served as the District 6 Governor of Zonta International. Weselak is the Northern Illinois University 2009 College of Education Outstanding Alumni and was recognized as a 2014 Woman of Distinction in DuPage County by the Suburban Life Newspaper. In 2023, Anna received the Legacy Leadership Award from the Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce. She is married to her husband Kevin, has 3 married children and 7 grandchildren. Anna holds several certifications including Group Coaching, Everything DiSC, The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team, Business Acumen, 12 Driving Forces and Emotional Intelligence.
Friday, April 4, 2025 – 3:15 pm to 4:30 pm
Membership: “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” A Membership Roundtable Experience!
Searching for the silver lining in membership challenges? Looking for inspiration in making membership a priority?
Join us for this interactive session with opportunities to discuss membership successes or challenges. Join other leaders from across the state to come up with ideas to share with your local unit. Take advantage of the PTA difference….networking and learning from leaders across the state. Let’s solve your membership challenges together!
Presenter: Julie Holdeman currently serves as Illinois PTA Membership Director.
Your Voice Makes A Difference
Where does the Illinois PTA stand on public policy issues that impact your school community?
This workshop is designed to introduce you to making a difference at the local, state and national level using the Advocacy Toolkit to be part of the essential conversations that effect the education, health and welfare of children and youth.
We will focus on the Legislation Platform, and how YOU can take action on community decisions and legislative decisions by speaking up and speaking out.
Presenter: Barb Quinn currently serves as the Education Issues Director of the Illinois PTA, as well as working with the Northwest Cook Region Board to assist local units and councils as needed, and continues to be active in the Early Learning Center PTA. Previously Quinn has served on the state board of directors as the Legislation Director, Treasurer, Vice President, and President.
Saturday, April 5, 2025 – 9:00 am to 10:15 am
Creating Heart Safe Schools
Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death for student-athletes and a global leading cause of death for adults. In the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, time is of the essence: CPR/AED must be performed within the first 3-5 minutes of collapse for the victim to survive. In this session, Dr. Heather Baker, and Elementary School Principal and sudden cardiac arrest survivor, will give an overview of Project ADAM’s Heart Safe Schools Designation Program and will explain the requirements of the new law that passed June 2024 (HB 5394), which requires all schools to now have a cardiac emergency response plan.
Presenter: Dr. Heather Baker (EdD) is a Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor, Elementary School Principal, and Mom to a 2-year-old son with a congenital heart defect. Heather has advocated strongly for cardiac emergency preparedness in schools and recently helped the American Heart Association pass HB 5394 in Illinois, which requires schools to have a cardiac emergency response plan. As a certified CPR instructor, Heather has CPR trained over 5,000 people since 2018, and her research regarding cardiac emergency preparedness in schools is published in the Journal of School Health.
Fiercely CONFIDENT
What does confidence look like? How do we get it? Sustain it? How do our attitudes and behaviors influence our interactions. How can I shift my attitude if I’m prone to a disposition? Would emotional intelligence impact my ability to connect and increase my confidence? These questions are addressed through an interactive workshop providing a journey to discover Fierce Confidence. We are what we think. This workshop is designed to foster positivity, inspire connection, enhance social connections and build confidence by exploring the elements that contribute to confidence. If we understand the science behind our thoughts, we can intentionally choose the way we show up and interact with others.
Takeaways:
• Understand how attitudes influence behavior
• Discover how a growth mindset impacts ability
• Increase emotional intelligence
• Develop confidence
Presenter: As a leadership and communication specialist, Holly O’Donnell combines 20 years of consulting and training expertise into speaking engagements, team-building sessions, and consulting opportunities. With a passion for helping individuals and groups navigate challenges, Holly specializes in leadership development, collaborative communication, coaching, and building confidence. Holly is committed to empowering parents, sports clubs, teams, and organizations to communicate with impact. Holly coaches’ individuals to find success and confidence expressing their values and opinions.
How Resolutions Become Solutions
Historically, the Illinois PTA has adopted Resolutions generated by a local unit, council, or Region to address concerns in the community by identifying not only the issue but proposed solutions to that issue.
This workshop is designed to assist members in detemining how a concern can be addressed and develop solutions based on our positions.
By reviewing several of the most recent Resolutions adopted by convention delegates, participants will see how particular concerns relate to our positions, and work through a demonstration of developing a Resolution.
Presenter: Barb Quinn currently serves as the Education Issues Director of the Illinois PTA, as well as working with the Northwest Cook Region Board to assist local units and councils as needed, and continues to be active in the Early Learning Center PTA. Previously Quinn has served on the state board of directors as the Legislation Director, Treasurer, Vice President, and President.
Saturday, April 5, 2025 – 12:15 pm to 1:45 pm
Constructive Conflict
Workshop Description: As soon as the word conflict is mentioned, people tend to think of it as bad. As a matter of fact, conflict can provide many benefits. We all know that when people are working together, conflict is inevitable! This workshop will discuss how to turn conflict into a positive experience and make your PTA more productive. You will measure the kind and amount of conflict you experience on the Conflict Continuum. Learn about Dealing With People You Can’t Stand. Leave with some strategies to help your PTA members work together better.
Presenter: Anna Weselak is a seminar trainer, consultant and owner of Weselak & Associates in Lombard, IL. She is a member of the Association for Talent Development, the Oak Brook Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Board of Directors of the Lombard Chamber of Commerce. She is a past president of the Illinois and National PTA. Anna is a Past President of the Zonta Club of Oak Brook and served as the District 6 Governor of Zonta International. Weselak is the Northern Illinois University 2009 College of Education Outstanding Alumni and was recognized as a 2014 Woman of Distinction in DuPage County by the Suburban Life Newspaper. In 2023, Anna received the Legacy Leadership Award from the Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce. She is married to her husband Kevin, has 3 married children and 7 grandchildren. Anna holds several certifications including Group Coaching, Everything DiSC, The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team, Business Acumen, 12 Driving Forces and Emotional Intelligence.
Making Connections to Build Membership
Are you looking for program information and materials that are ready to share? If you are looking for a new and simple program to incorporate into your PTA, this session is for you. Join the session to learn about the Healthy Minds and Ready, Tech Go! programs. You will walk away with ideas to get these up and running and the resources to get them started!
Presenter: Julie Holdeman currently serves as Illinois PTA Membership Director.
Two Programs You Need for Your PTA!
Are you looking for program information and materials that are ready to share? If you are looking for a new and simple program to incorporate into your PTA, this session is for you. Join the session to learn about the Healthy Minds and Ready, Tech Go! programs. You will walk away with ideas to get these up and running and the resources to get them started!
Presenter: Linda Vernon is a central IL native, living in Peoria. She is partially retired after 30 years of service at Illinois State University. Over the course of her work experience, she had the pleasure of developing resources and training for K-12 educators, conducting research, grant writing, and working with various groups throughout the state. Developing materials along with practical, useable training is the strength she hopes to bring to the organization. Linda served as Treasurer and Program Committee Chair of the Learning Forward IL organization that promotes professional learning in education. She currently works part-time with a Foundation on researching funders and volunteers with the Ronald McDonald house.
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