Amy Stich, assistant professor in the Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations (LEPF), was first drawn to the teaching profession when she was an undergraduate studying sociology. As a first-generation college student, Stich started becoming aware of the potential of education to be empowering and transformative. “During this time, I was made conscious of my own position within a system of education that often works to reproduce inequalities rather than ameliorate them,” she said. “As an undergraduate student, I was encouraged to think deeply, to question bravely, and to reflect often.”
Stich, who teaches social foundations of education courses, says that she is grateful for her own privileged educational experiences. “As a result, I aim to facilitate the same culture of inquiry within and outside of the classroom,” she explained. Stich, who earned a doctorate in sociology of education at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, has worked as a senior policy analyst, a research associate, and an instructor prior to joining the COE family in 2014.
Stich is very passionate about the teaching and learning process. “At NIU, I am incredibly humbled to work with such bright, talented, resilient groups of students that work toward deepening critical agency through teaching and learning, together,” she said.
