ISBE School Wellness Conference

School Social Workers are essential mental health personnel who have been shown to positively impact students and schools. The need to respond to challenges facing schools and students can reduce the amount of prevention work that SSWs are able to complete. Additionally, the job responsibilities of school social workers are continuously expanding. This qualitative study gathered data utilizing the Illinois School Social Worker Association listserv. This study consisted of 56 participants who all self-identified as school social workers in Illinois. Two open ended questions were asked of school social workers. The first was, “If you believe that additional supports are needed, what supports could they provide?” The second open-ended question was, “As a school social worker what supports do you need to function more effectively?” These questions enabled us to understand perspectives of challenges and solutions that school social workers across the state have in regard to social work services and supports. Challenges and solutions were discussed by participants and provide guidance to school districts and school administrators about the services that school social workers can provide as well as the support they need to continue doing their jobs effectively. The two most prevalent challenges included the need for support through MTSS, and the lack of tier 1 SEL programs in schools. Solutions focused practice implications are explored in the perspective of the school social worker.

In this interactive session, educators will discover evidence-based wellness strategies that create healing classroom environments while preventing teacher burnout. Participants will learn applicable techniques to integrate into their daily routines—no special equipment or extensive time required.
Through hands-on practice and real classroom examples, attendees will explore:

• Simple breath work and grounding exercises to regulate stress for both teachers and students
• Trauma-informed approaches that build trust and emotional safety
• Morning and transition routines that set a positive tone without sacrificing instructional time
• Self-care strategies educators can sustain even during the busiest seasons

Participants will leave with a personalized wellness toolkit they can implement the very next day, along with concrete strategies for modeling self-regulation and resilience. Whether you're experiencing burnout or seeking to deepen your practice, this session offers compassionate, practical support for cultivating joy and balance in your professional life while nurturing student well-being.
Session Format: Interactive presentation with experiential activities, and small group discussion. 
Ideal For: K-12 educators, counselors, administrators, and support staff seeking practical wellness integration

A silent transition is impacting a massive percentage of our most experienced educators, yet it remains professionally taboo. With women comprising over 76% of the education workforce, perimenopause profoundly affects adult well-being and accelerates burnout. This urgently needed session confronts the stigma head-on. Together, we will explore why creating spaces for open conversation is a transformative act of school leadership. Participants will learn how to foster a culture of profound, systemic support that retains invaluable talent and models a new standard for adult well-being in your district.