What's included in the registration fee?
Beyond a day of dynamic instruction, attendees also receive a full-color packet of materials and private access to exclusive web resources.
NOTE: Lodging fees and tuition for graduate-level credit are not included with registration.
Cancellations & Substitutions
Cancellations may occur up to 3 days prior to the selected workshop without penalty. A refund, minus a $50 service fee, will be paid for cancellations made within 3 days of the workshop. No refund will be given to registrants who fail to provide advance notice to Smekens Education of a cancellation. Substitutions may occur at any time. However, free registration (for principals) is non-transferable.
Waterford Banquet & Conference Center

933 South Riverside Drive
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 279-0270
Lodging Recommendation:
Clarion Inn (attached to conference center)

933 South Riverside Drive
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 279-0700
To receive discounted room rates, use the customized link, mention Smekens Education, and please make reservations at least 30 days in advance.
Certified educators can earn professional growth credits for attending a Smekens Education workshop. All workshop attendees receive a certificate of participation for 5.25 hours of professional development for each one-day workshop. Visit our Continuing Education Credit page to learn more.
Illinois-Specific Credit
As an approved professional development subcontractor, Smekens Education is happy to provide all Illinois teachers with state-approved professional development credit for attending the Developing a Reading Road Map for Teaching Comprehension workshop.
Graduate-Level Credit
Smekens Education is pleased to provide the opportunity for educators to earn graduate-level university credit. Whether you attend one of our live workshops or participate in an online workshop, you may choose to earn 1, 2, or 3 non-degree credits. These credits are for licensure renewal and salary step increases only. The cost of graduate-level credit is separate from the registration fee.

Smekens Education and the University of the Pacific/University College take pride in working together to make available the opportunity for educators like you, to earn graduate-level university semester credits/units. We understand that being an educator takes time, energy, and a lot of dedication, so we feel compelled to make this process affordable, practical, and at the same time rewarding.
For only an additional cost of $62 per credit, we can help you meet your salary advancement and/or recertification requirements. All University of the Pacific courses offered through Smekens Education are graded, graduate-level semester, professional development courses, designed as professional growth for educators.
The University of the Pacific is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and all courses will appear on an Official Transcript from the Registrar's Office at UOP. Participating in our workshop sessions are a prerequisite to the course enrollment(s). Some school districts may require pre-approval prior to enrollment. It is your responsibility to know your district's policies.

For an additional fee, attendees may earn three nationally accredited graduate-level credits from the Midwest Teachers Institute and their university partner, Colorado State University-Pueblo. These non-degree credits are designed for professional certification renewals and salary step increases. (Check with your district for approval prior to making a commitment.)
Midwest Teachers Institute (MTI) — 3 credits/$375
- Attendance at both days of the Reading Comprehension workshop series, plus additional coursework related to the workshop, is required for credit.
- MTI has an exclusive agreement with Colorado State University-Pueblo to provide teachers with an official transcript.
- Colorado State University-Pueblo is nationally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. MTI courses through CSU-Pueblo are accepted in all 50 states.