While individual self-care is vital, the "Blueprint for Transformation" highlights that a school’s collective well-being is the true engine of teacher retention and student success. This session pivots from solo wellness to Systemic Adult SEL, exploring how Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is prioritizing collective belonging as a foundational strategy. We will delve into the Illinois SEL Standards through an adult lens, sharing practical strategies for building "Bridges of Belonging" that foster relational trust and psychological safety. Participants will leave with an actionable toolkit to cultivate a thriving school culture where educators feel seen, supported, and empowered to remain in the profession.
Director of Healing-Centered Supports, Office of Social and Emotional Learning | Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Public Schools
Adam W. King, Director of Healing-Centered Supports, Chicago Public Schools. As the Director of Healing-Centered Supports, Adam is charged with developing and implementing cohesive strategy for scaling and deepening the implementation of the CPS Healing-Centered Framework and aligned... Read More →
Carla Tantillo Philibert is a mental health technologist who brings people together to address the significant issues facing our educational system. As Founder/CEO of Mindful Practices and Class Catalyst (a CASEL Select Program), she develops sustainable mental health and SEL solutions... Read More →
Director of School Leader Engagement, Chicago Public Schools
Chad Thomas is the Director of School Leader Engagement for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the former principal of Sullivan High School. Recognized for his transformative work in restorative practices and behavioral health—as featured on NPR’s This American Life and in the... Read More →
Tuesday May 5, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT Redbird G
How can school districts transform raw data into a lifeline for students? This session explores how to leverage analytics to identify hidden barriers to success. We will move beyond the numbers to discuss practical strategies that streamline student support and facilitate seamless collaboration with the Regional Office of Education (ROE) and community partners. Join us to learn how to build a unified ecosystem of care that ensures every student receives the proactive intervention they need to thrive.
In this session, you will learn how to:
Identify emerging trends and barriers using predictive data analytics.
Implement tech-driven strategies to bridge communication between the district and ROE.
Foster sustainable partnerships with external organizations for comprehensive, wrap-around support.
Execute data-informed interventions that measurably improve student well-being and outcomes.
Truancy Coordinator / Health Life Safety, Regional Office of Education #21
Born in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park, Mr. Bink grew up in the Chicagoland area attending Lyons Township High School. He then moved to Southern Illinois where he attended SIU and graduated in 2001. He has two masters degrees: one in Educational Theory from Lewis University, and one... Read More →
Director of Technology / McKinney-Vento Liaison, Massac Unit School District #1
With over 19 years dedicated to education, Tom Walker is the current Director of Technology for Massac Unit School District #1 in Metropolis, Illinois. His extensive background includes serving as a mathematics teacher, technology coordinator, principal, district homeless liaison... Read More →
Across the country, educators are grappling with the growing impact of social media on student mental health, behavior, and learning. What once began as simple online interactions now shapes attention, relationships, and trust both inside and outside the classroom. From group chats to viral challenges, digital culture has redefined school climate—often faster than policies or adults can respond.
This session helps school and district leaders understand and lead through the youth mental health crisis fueled by engagement technology. Grounded in current research and real-world implementation, participants will explore how social media and device use affect attention, emotional regulation, and belonging before students even enter the building. The discussion highlights why current responses such as like phone bans, monitoring software, or compliance-based mandates, often fail to address root causes or foster long-term change.
