Lake County Gazette

District 181 hosted a Community Speaker Series event featuring bestselling author Ethan Kross on October 8 at Hinsdale Middle School. About 100 people attended in person, while nearly 300 registered for the event. Kross, a professor at the University of Michigan and director of the Emotion & Self Control Laboratory, spoke about strategies for changing mindsets and managing emotions, referencing his book "Shift: Managing Your Emotions—So They Don't Manage You."

Kross is known for his work on emotion regulation and has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Science. In his book, he challenges myths about emotion management and offers a framework for using emotions effectively, combining research with practical advice.

The event was co-sponsored by the D181 Foundation, District 181, and District 86. Community partners included The Community House, Hinsdale Public Library, and Kramer Foods. Those who could not attend can access a recording of the event later. The next speaker series event is scheduled for November.

Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 covers DuPage and Cook counties and includes several schools such as Clarendon Hills Middle School and Hinsdale Middle School. More information about the district can be found at https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, the district employs 282 teachers with an average salary of $94,227, and maintains a diverse student body that is approximately 69.8 percent White, 1.1 percent Black, 6.8 percent Hispanic, and 15.4 percent Asian. The district spent $31,308 per student in 2020, totaling $117,185,545.

"Shift" by Ethan Kross provides "actionable advice and highlights tools we already possess—within our bodies, minds, relationships, and environments—to foster healthier and more successful lives," according to the event summary.

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