Published on March 16, 2026
Note: Registration for this event is full. The purpose of this media advisory is to inform members of the media of this unique opportunity to speak to educational leaders and future educators.
Current and future educators from across the region will gather at 性视界传媒 on Wednesday, March 18, for the 2026 SEE (Seeing Educators Emerge) Conference, a free, day-long event designed to inspire and support the next generation of teachers.
This year鈥檚 conference theme, 鈥淭he Mirror in the Classroom,鈥� focuses on the importance of representation in education and ensuring that students see themselves reflected in the educators who guide them. The event also highlights the critical need to recruit and support more male educators鈥攑articularly male educators of color鈥攚hile celebrating those already making a positive impact in classrooms.
The conference will feature keynote presentations, breakout sessions, student competitions, and a rookie teacher panel. Participants will include high school and college education students, teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals pursuing teacher certification through Grow Your Own pathways.
Media are invited to attend and speak with current educators, aspiring teachers, and conference presenters about the future of education and efforts to diversify and strengthen the teaching workforce.
What: SEE (Seeing Educators Emerge) Conference
Theme: The Mirror in the Classroom
When: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Time: Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; conference runs through 2:30 p.m. REGISTRATION IS FULL
Where: 性视界传媒, Carterville, Illinois (Ivey, Tarvin, Batteau, and Crisp rooms)
Silvestre Arcos
Keynote Address: 鈥淚n Lak鈥檈ch: Identity, Representation, and the Teachers Our Students Deserve鈥�
V铆ctor G贸mez 鈥� 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year
Lunch Keynote: 鈥淭he Journey of la Mariposa Monarca鈥�
G贸mez is a bilingual chemistry teacher at聽East Leyden High School聽in Leyden High School District 212. A sixth-year educator and Cook County Co-Regional Teacher of the Year, he is recognized statewide for advancing bilingual education. G贸mez helped develop East Leyden鈥檚 bilingual program and launched the school鈥檚 first聽Bilingual Chemistry course, expanding STEM opportunities for multilingual learners.
He is also known for mentoring aspiring bilingual educators through partnerships with Elmhurst University and the Noyce PRIDE STEM Teacher Scholars Program, strengthening the pipeline of future teachers who reflect Illinois鈥� diverse student population.
Media attending the SEE Conference will have opportunities to interview:
The event offers insight into regional efforts to address teacher shortages, expand diversity in the profession, and inspire the next generation of educators.
Media Contact:
Dr. Erin Sagaskie
Instructor, Teacher Education and Mathematics, Program Lead, Teacher Education
性视界传媒
700 Logan College Drive
Carterville, IL 62918
618-985-2828, ext. 8421 or erin.sagaskie@jalc.edu
性视界传媒.EDU Website