AIMS is proud to announce the 2021 Network Institute, a statewide conference designed exclusively for middle level educators by practicing middle level educators. The Network Institute brings together all teachers, specialists, administrators, pre-service educators, college-level faculty, and student support staff for an opportunity to learn from, engage with, and network alongside Illinois’ middle-level educators!

Date: December 7th, 2021
Time: 8am – 4pm
Location: National Louis University – Lisle campus
850 Warrenville Rd, Lisle, IL 60532

Expect meaningful and motivating keynote presentations, collaborative time with like-minded peers and teams, engaging sessions from Illinois’ educators sharing their experiences and resources, and tons of ideas to impact middle level teaching and learning.

2021 AIMS Network Institute will feature two bookend speakers. These sessions will not only set the tone for the event, but explore powerful topics relevant to middle level education. Both Dr. PJ Caposey and Dr. Diane Wolf serve in administrative roles in Illinois School Districts. Ranging from supporting students in both Northern Illinois & Central Illinois, these dynamic speakers are coming together to set our AIMS Network Attendees up for success as they dive into hot topics and network with like minded colleagues on this special day of collaboration!

PJ Caposey is a dynamic speaker and a transformational leader and educator. PJ began his career as an award-winning teacher in the inner-city of Chicago and has subsequently led significant change in every administrative post he has held. PJ became a principal at the tender age of 28 and within three years was able to lead a small-town/rural school historically achieving near the bottom of its county to multiple national recognitions. After four years, PJ moved to his current district, Meridian CUSD 223, as superintendent and has led a similar turnaround leading to multiple national recognitions for multiple different efforts.

PJ is a sought after keynote presenter, consultant, and provider of professional development and has recently keynoted several national conferences specializing in time management, the tyranny of the status quo, school culture, continuous improvement, social media, and teacher evaluation.PJ has written 7 books for various publishers and his work has been published online for sites such as ASCD, Edutopia, and the Huffington Post. He works in the Education Department of two universities and in a myriad of capacities with the Illinois Principal’s Association including Principal Coach and author of the first complete stack of MicroCredentials offered in Illinois.

Dr. Diane Wolf, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Bloomington Public Schools is an Illinois State University graduate (’89, ’92, M.E. ’94, Ed.D ’15) and has dedicated her career to promoting continuing education to all educators throughout the region, the state, and the country.

A self-described “match-maker” in the field of education, Wolf prides herself on the ability to listen and make connections to people, programs and problems to provide solutions to issues facing the field. She is a member of Leadership Illinois, McLean County Leadership Program, ISU’s College of Education Hall of Fame and recipient of the Steve and Sandi Adams Student Affairs Leadership Award. This is her 29th year in education.

Dr. Diane Wolf’s Tedx Presentation focused on Maslows powerful work. Noting the importance of Schools having to plan, pivot and prioritize during the Pandemic. The system of school changed and the leaders, teachers and students–along with families and communities–had to change with them. But, how did school decide what were the priorities and how to address them during the Pandemic? “Maslow Was Right” is a story about how one school district prioritized and forever changed their school system.