Five hours remain to submit your ideas that are begging to be shared at IDEAcon 2026 in February! Help shape the future of education with us and submit your proposals tonight at https://bit.ly/ideacon26cfp2. #IDEAcon #IDEAil #EduSky

Join Stefanie Crawford and Don Sturm is 🤔 as they sit down with 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year and an #IDEAcon 2026 Keynote Speaker @drmahmood.bsky.social to explore what it really means to build belonging in schools. Listen now at https://ideail.org/ThatsTheIdeaPodcast#IDEAcon #IDEAil #EduSky

Don't miss the second round of call for proposals for #IDEAcon that is OPEN through Friday, November, 14! Perfect for an idea you’ve been cultivating or a brand new spark. Your idea might be exactly what someone else needs to transform their practice. https://bit.ly/ideacon26cfp2#IDEAcon #IDEAil #EduSky

Don Sturm is 🤔 looks at the technology landscape and asks the question: "Should school mirror the 'real' world, or should it act as a frontline defense against the parts of that world that we feel harm students?" http://www.ideaillinois.org/balanceintechworldblog. #IDEAil #EduSky

The second call for proposals is now open for #IDEAcon 2026. They're only open through next Friday, November 14, so if you have a great idea to share or you wanted to submit a proposal before but missed the deadline, now is your chance! https://bit.ly/ideacon26cfp2#IDEAcon #IDEAil #EduSky

Read how 2024-2025 IDEA mini-grant winner Betsy Monke in Pleasant Plains, IL planned, prepared, implemented, and reflected on her funded project in her blog post "Coding through Stories." 🔗 Read now at http://www.ideaillinois.org/codingthroughstoriesblog #IDEAil #EduSky

We just dropped the Thought Leader lineup for #IDEAcon 2026, and it’s 🔥. These educators and changemakers are ready to challenge, inspire, and co-create the future of learning. https://ideail.org/IDEAcon2026 Lisa Moe 🔜 #SpringCUE, ‪Marcus Luther‬, Matthew Farber, Wunneanatsu #IDEAcon#SpringCUE#IDEAil #EduSky

“AI and the Regression of the Teenage Brain” is an important perspective from our intern who is also a current high school student. Are students losing critical thinking skills? Are teachers outsourcing trust to tech? Read it at http://www.ideaillinois.org/aiandteenagebrainsblog #IDEAil #EduSky

Join the IDEA Northern Suburbs Chapter and Google Education Senior Program Manager, Jenn Brown, for a fun and FREE fabulous 2-hour hands-on workshop dedicated to mastering the powerful AI combination of NotebookLM and Gemini. Register now at https://ideail.org/AIdreamteam11625! #IDEAil #EduSky

There's still time to join IDEA's Northern and Western Suburbs Chapters for EdCamp Chicago, happening tomorrow, Saturday, 10/18 from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM! ✅ Build connections ✅ Participants decide the topics ✅ FREE ✅ Brainstorm, support, create 🔗 https://ideail.org/EdCampChi1025 #IDEAil #EduSky

Read the latest blog from our partners at @wevideo.bsky.social as they explore how video learning can be a powerful method for amplifying student voice and valuing original thought. www.ideaillinois.org/amplifystude... #EduSky #IDEAil #EdTech #education

Tomorrow’s the final day for #IDEAcon 's Super Saver rate, our most discounted way to invest in staff PD. You don’t need names now. You just need to commit to educator growth, even while federal Title II funding remains in limbo. 📅 Deadline: Aug 1 @ 11:59 PM CT ideail.org/IDEAcon26sup... #EduSky

Bold action beats uncertain funding. #IDEAcon Super Saver registration ends Friday 8/1 at 11:59 PM CT. Prioritize PD, equity, and educator joy without needing names just yet. Every badge is a stand for staff development, despite unjust Title II withholding. ideail.org/IDEAcon26sup... #EduSky #IDEAil

The heat index says "stay inside"—we say, "great, it’s proposal-writing season." 😎 #IDEAcon 2026 is looking for voices like yours to empower and engage educators from Feb 9–11 in Schaumburg. Deadline: Aug 4. Make this your coolest move of the summer. ideail.org/IDEAcon26CFP #EduSky #IDEAil

Join our partners @wevideo.bsky.social at ENGAGE 2025, their first-ever annual conference for educators and creators using video to transform learning. 3 days online. 30+ sessions. 100% free. July 15-17. Register now to save your spot! #EdTech #EdTechConference #ProfessionalDevelopment #EduSky

Advocacy Day is always an amazing way to see students in action and hear what they're passionate about. This year did not disappoint! These students, like all the rest of the student groups in attendance, were professional and knowledgeable, and we learned a lot from them. #IDEAil #EduSky

Join @mrscford.bsky.social and @sturmdon.bsky.social as they sit down with @mandyfroehlich.bsky.social to discuss the importance of mental health for educators. It's not about self-care emails or jeans days, but real change. Listen now at ideail.org/ThatsTheIdea...! #IDEAil #EduSky #education

Join the #IDEAil Kishwaukee Chapter for SLEdCon in Rockford, IL on 7/29! ✅ Free ✅ Discover the latest trends in ed-tech ✅ Participate in hands-on activities ✅ Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for integrating technology in education. ideail.org/SLEDCon2025 #EduSky

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and the time, energy, and innovative thinking teachers put into the classroom deserves to be celebrated. Although we appreciate teachers always, we want to be sure to say thank you for all you do, invest in, and endure to make a positive impact on your communities.

2026 is the year IDEA will celebrate our 40th. All. Year. Long! Starting off with a bang with IDEAcon 2026 where we'll dive into our 40s being 40, fearless, and moving forward! And we want your voice to be heard. Our call for proposals is now open at ideail.org/IDEAcon26CFP! #IDEAcon #IDEAil

Get ready to redefine what play means in your life and to laugh along with @mrscford.bsky.social and @sturmdon.bsky.social as they sit down with @mrdearybury.bsky.social to discuss the importance of getting in the flow, finding joy, and embracing play in your life. ideail.org/ThatsTheIdea...!

Great to see @ideaillinois.bsky.social engaging kids here in Springfield at the Career Spark STEAM Expo.

I got to team up with my best pal (and @sturmdon.bsky.social) to run the @ideaillinois.bsky.social game table at a #STEM fair in the neighboring town! It was fun to play with the students, but it was even better to see my little girl acting all grown up with as she ran the games! 💕

Catch up now on the 4/17 issue of the #IDEAil newsletter for tips on ways to help #neurodivergent students succeed, advice on helping students alleviate assessment stress, #EarthMonth activities with Makedo, and more! ideail.org/BigIDEAs41725 #EduSky

🎲 We're collaborating with Washington High School and Teachers in the Dungeon to bring you a 2-day summer workshop that will teach you everything you need to know in order to build RPGs into your school environment. Take advantage of early bird pricing at ideail.org/RPGworkshop7... #EduSky #gaming

There's still time to register to attend our in-person pop-up PD with LEGO Education happening in Arlington Heights on Tuesday, April 15. Seating is limited, and the spots are almost full, but you can see more information about both three hour workshops and register at www.ideaillinois.org/events

6.2 million young people are using some type of tobacco product. That number represents 31.2% of high schoolers and 12.5% of middle schoolers. Find out what educators can do to address tobacco usage with students and help them learn the truth about vaping. ideail.org/EVERFIww41625 #IDEAil #EduSky

If you missed the 4/3 issue of the #IDEAil #newsletter, catch up now with a webinar featuring @sjeducate.bsky.social as a panelist discussing how to meet the needs of our Arab students, resources from @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social for National Library Week, and more! ideail.org/BigIDEAs4325 #EduSky

🚨 Online threats are everywhere—are your students prepared? Xerox + ITsavvy and VIPRE Security Group’s self-paced, interactive courses help K-12 students recognize phishing, malware, and social media risks. Let’s build smart cybersecurity habits together! #EduSky pages.itsavvy.com/hubfs/VIPRE_...

“It was cool to look around and see what other people were doing.” - Bailey, a student who has presented at multiple conferences, including #IDEAcon, with her teacher on what it’s like presenting at a conference. #IDEAil #EduSky #education

“If you’re presenting at a conference, why not have the learning co-designers with you.” - Greg McDonough, educator and #IDEAil member leading a session on including students in conference presentations. #EduSky #innovation

Join us on Wednesday April 9 at 3:30 PM CST as @jehehalt.bsky.social with Common Sense Education explores the highlights of the recently released 2025 Common Sense Census: Media Use by Kids Zero to Eight. For PreK-5 teachers, admin, and librarians. #IDEAil #EduSky ideail.org/CommonSense4....

Join @mrscford.bsky.social and @sturmdon.bsky.social as they sit down with @jehehalt.bsky.social from Common Sense Education and Dr. Sonal Patel to discuss AI and how our approach and attitudes toward AI can shape the landscape of AI use in education. ideail.org/ThatsTheIdea... #IDEAil #EduSky

Did you miss the last issue of the #IDEAil #newsletter? Check it out now for using the Classroom Zen website, how to close read in any subject with @cultofpedagogy.bsky.social, financial literacy toolkits from EVERFI for 4-12 graders, Advocacy Day, and more! #EduSky ideail.org/BigIDEAs32725

Did you miss the latest #IDEAil #newsletter last Thursday? Take a look for tips on embedding YouTube videos, AI and the future of teaching and learning reports, the Stripling model for inquiry-based learning, LEGO Education workshops, and more. ideail.org/BigIDEAs32025 #EduSky

@jehehalt.bsky.social from Common Sense Education shares her session recaps and takeaways in this latest #IDEAil blog where she reflects on her time at #IDEAcon, "a thought leadership conference focused on current education topics and innovative practices." www.ideaillinois.org/commonsensea....

Join @mrscford.bsky.social and @sturmdon.bsky.social for the first episode of the official IDEA podcast, That's the IDEA! as they sit down with @evohannan.bsky.social to discuss innovation, the ripple effect of education, the weight of words, and more. ideail.org/ThatsTheIdea... #IDEAil #EduSky

Did you miss the new #IDEAil #newsletter that dropped yesterday? Take a look for quick sorts formative assessment strategy, math history breakouts by @imperfectsquare.com, a podcast about integrating AI into Genius Hour, #WednesdayWebinar with @codehs.bsky.social, and more! ideail.org/BigIDEAs31325

Student Advocacy Day showcases innovative and creative thinking being done in classrooms across the state of Illinois. #IDEAil has been providing this opportunity for students to speak with education stakeholders at the Capitol Building for decades. Join us! #EduSky www.ideaillinois.org/AdvocacyDay

We love Makedo and the non-tech STEAM work they're doing that paves the way for design thinking that can be used when students move into using tech tools for their creations. And they do some cool collaborations with tech like Sphero. Thanks for capturing this @mariagalanis.bsky.social! #EduSky

🎉 IDEA's new official podcast is here - That’s the IDEA! Dive into innovative ideas and fresh perspectives with guests who challenge the norm. Perfect for educators, leaders, and lifelong learners. Curious minds won't want to miss this! Teaser Episode: ideail.org/ThatsTheIdea... #IDEAil #EduSky

#WednesdayWebinar happening now with ParentSquare about how we can better communicate between school and home. Did you know that ParentSquare translates into 190 languages? And using ParentSquare isn't app dependent. 🤯 #EduSky #IDEAil

We know, we know - it's really HARD to work games into the curriculum, #ideacon So we did it for you - here's FIVE ways our games align with state standards! #IDEACon2025 gamestormedu.com/2025/02/03/f...

The days were long and the sleeps were SHORT, but I had a blast as incoming president at #IDEACon #IDEACon2025 This crew makes me smile. We may be silly and we may go on a lot of side journeys, but we make it happen too!! My cup runneth over from all the positive vibes this week.

“And just like we don’t give a flower its beauty, we do not give a child his genius.” - Dr. Gholdy Muhammad kicking off day 3 of #IDEAcon

“How do we change so that we are still successful?” - Cornelius Minor Day 2 #IDEAcon keynote is underway.

Day 1 of @ideaillinois.bsky.social was A M A Z I N G 🙌 @mrnunesteach.bsky.social and I love meeting and connecting with everyone about Canva for Education! #CanvaEdu #IDEAcon #IDEAcon2025 #EduSky

“This is where some beautiful innovation happens.” - Kass Minor #IDEAcon #IDEAil

#IDEAcon Day 2 keynote happening now with the Minors!

@edtechbites.bsky.social will be in the exhibit hall in IDEA's Little Free Library today at 2:00 PM for an author signing. His book is available in the #IDEAcon bookstore. #IDEAil