Recipients of the annual College of Education awards have been chosen.
Please enjoy learning more about them and reading excerpts from their nomination and supporting letters.
In-person recognition and presentation of awards will occur in August during the fall All-College Meeting.
• Excellence in Teaching Award by Faculty/Clinical Faculty: Daryl Dugas
Daryl Dugas, associate professor in the Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations, is known for his creative and innovative pedagogy that dives deeply into fewer theories to emphasize depth over breadth.
He goes “above and beyond standard expectations of faculty,” leading activities intentionally designed to foster student interaction and relationship-building to create a sense of trust and connection in the classroom.
In his course on human development, Dugas enables students to link theory to practice as they compare models of development to their own development and that of family, friends and classmates.
Students “walk rather than run” through major concepts and discuss what theories actually look like with real human beings. Their assignments allow them to write autobiographical papers, to analyze case studies or classroom scenarios from their clinicals or even to write about characters from literature or film.
Ever cognizant of learner engagement, he pauses activities to check in with students about how they’re feeling and, if necessary, makes adjustments for the remainder of the class period.
“Dugas rocks! I’ve really enjoyed my stay on Dugas Island. He’s an excellent tour guide,” wrote one undergraduate in his classroom management course. “I hope to bring the same kind of enthusiasm, compassion and real-life lessons to my classes, and I hope to be able to inspire the same kind of learning and engagement Dugas inspires.”
• Excellence in Research and Artistry Award by Faculty: Stephen Tonks
Stephen Tonks has quietly gone about his scholarly work that has elevated the College of Education’s prestige through making an international impact on the field of motivational research and, more specifically, reading motivation.
With more than 16,000 citations, the associate professor in the Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations is NIU’s third-most-cited researcher (according to Google Scholar).
Tonks has served as the co-PI on more than $3 million in grants and has submitted a multimillion-dollar grant to the U.S. Department of Defense.
In the last year, Tonks (a frequent manuscript editor) was the first author of an article in the top-tier Learning and Individual Differences journal and a co-author of an article in Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice.
He also joined colleagues in presenting “Inferencing and Comprehension Processes Predicted by Situational and General Reading Motivation” at the American Educational Research Association.
Currently the college’s Faculty Director of Global Programs, Tonks was part of the team that successfully has hosted Uruguay Fulbright Teacher Experience events that created lasting connections between NIU, Uruguayan educators and Illinois schools.
On campus, he is collaborating with colleagues to launch the Motivation, Race and Cultural Research Lab, which is still in the planning phases.
“He has placed NIU on the map for excellence in his domain of study,” wrote one nominator. “He is collegial, supportive and an authentically kind colleague.”
• Excellence in Service Award by Faculty or Staff: Nicholas Grahovec
Nicholas Grahovec, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, is regarded as a bright, energetic and passionate young professional with high expectations for the Master of Athletic Training program launched in June 2021.
Grahovec successfully closed the bachelor’s in Athletic Training, worked with the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education to earn accreditation for the master’s program, recruited students, designed and submitted all syllabi for the sequence of courses and maintained or created clinical partnerships with 25 sites around the country.
“It is not hyperbole to state that the level of commitment and perseverance Dr. Grahovec demonstrated to the program allowed for this new degree to launch,” wrote one nominator, “as well as to build a solid foundation for the MSAT program as it second year approaches.”
Known as personable, caring and ethical, and able to see the big picture while attending to the small details, Grahovec holds key leadership positions in professional organizations.
These include the Education Committees of the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association, where he is a member, and the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association, which he chairs.
During the past two years, he helped to shift annual conferences to virtual formats – something he also accomplished with NIU’s Roger and Cathy Kalisiak Alumni Lecture Series, which allowed an online audience of more than 300 athletic trainers and alumni nationwide.
• Exceptional Contributions by Instructor Award: Sue Dalton
Sue Dalton, an instructor in the Visual Disabilities Program of the Department of Special and Early Education, is internationally recognized for her teaching and expertise in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.
Dalton is the author of two chapters in the new edition “Foundations of Vision Rehabilitation Therapy” textbook, published in 2020. Practitioners who consider it an essential reference as well as “the book of record” heralded its arrival as a landmark movement for its humanistic approach to service delivery and its instructional strategies explained with logic behind them.
NIU students learn from an enthusiastic teacher and are challenged, engaged and supported toward excellence with assignments that allowed for creative and individuality.
Her students also learn about different resources available to vision rehabilitation therapists – and where to find them.
“Professor Dalton used very practical examples of how to apply the material to real-life scenarios,” one student wrote. “She also had guest speakers who are in the field and who provide information for us to gain better knowledge and expectations.”
Outside of teaching, Dalton has established NIU as a distribution program for the iBill Currency Reader from the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a collaboration allows people who need the devices to obtain them for free.
Previously awarded by several organizations in her field, Dalton has presented at conference, conducted numerous workshops and seminars and commented on podcasts.
• Exceptional Contributions by a Staff Member Award: Jeanne Johnston
Jeanne Johnston, office support specialist in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, is “the glue of the department” and “a champion for our faculty, staff, individual programs and students.”
Her balance of work ethic and her warm and friendly attitude has helped to build and maintain a positive work environment and strong sense of community in Anderson Hall, where she is the first point of contact for students scheduling appointments for advising, asking questions or needing directional support.
“Regardless of the situation, she always helps and assists everyone with a smile on her face and with the most pleasant personality,” one nominator wrote. “Jeanne is organized, timely and knowledgeable, and has the institutional memory it takes to get tasks done so quickly.”
During those interactions with students, including graduate students seeking P.E. licensure, Johnston is known for making those immediate needs her most important responsibility in that moment.
The same is true for faculty and staff, who appreciated Johnston’s support in transitioning the department to remote work during COVID-19 as well as her instrumental role in the fun and camaraderie of Crock Pot Fridays.
“She is always eager to inquire about needs of assistance she can provide,” a nominator wrote. “Never, ever have I felt a work request to be an imposition as I listen and watch her greet everyone in the same manner.”
• Exceptional Contributions in Diversity/Social Justice Award: Kimberly Hart
Kimberly Hart, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education, is a strong, outspoken and effective advocate for students, faculty, staff and community members who belong to historically underrepresented or marginalized groups.
And when she learns of unfair treatment, she doesn’t hesitate to intervene.
“She does this without prompting and without a desire for recognition,” one nominator wrote, “but because she is genuinely in touch with the impacts of both intentional and unintentional discrimination felt by others. Dr. Hart is someone who never settles for things ‘as they are’ when they could be better.”
The rationale is simple – and profound.
As an educator, Hart recognizes the effect of discrimination on learning. As a colleague, the director of the Community Counseling and Training Center recognizes how discrimination limits faculty and staff in doing their best work if they do not feel supported or included.
While participating in searches for new faculty in counseling, she focuses on the need for racial and ethnic diversity in the candidate pool. She also stresses making a commitment to diversity and social justice not a preferred qualification but a required one.
For students of color, Hart is an active mentor who helped to develop the safe space of the Counselors of Color Community Connection. Students feel comfortable in approaching her and open and vulnerable in sharing their experiences.
