Rockford RISE has graduated 18 new teachers.
Launched in 2024, the “Rockford Inspiring School and Community Excellence” initiative to turn Rockford Public Schools paraprofessionals into licensed teachers is the result of a grant from Grow Your Own Illinois, a long-time nonprofit organization that supports the development of teacher pathways in communities across Illinois.
NIU applied for GYO-IL funding in May of 2023 with the Rockford Public Schools, Rock Valley College, YMCA of Rock River Valley and Wabongo Leadership Council as core partners.
The district paid the tuition for its employees, who kept their jobs while enrolled. GYO-IL covered any “gap” courses students needed to fulfill at Rock Valley before starting as well as a GYO program coordinator, class materials, textbooks, Chromebooks and partner stipends.
Graduates gathered May 1 to celebrate their new bachelor’s degrees, an accomplishment cheered on by NIU College of Education Dean Mary Earick and Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara.
Dean Earick told the students and their families that Rockford RISE perfectly advances the goals of the college’s PLEDGE (Partnering to Lead and Empower District-Grown Educators) program.
“PLEDGE reflects our deep commitment to an equity-focused learning community, one that values our lived experiences as much as academic preparation and one that recognizes that strong schools and educators are built through connected communities where they serve – and that’s exactly what we’re celebrating here tonight,” Earick said.
“Your success represents persistence, your purpose and your deep commitment to your current and future students, your families and your communities,” she added, “and I will tell you that I wish there were PLEDGE programs when I was going through my teacher certification. As a single mom exiting the military, it took me 13 years to get my undergraduate degree, so I really understand all the time, effort and expertise you are putting into this.”
McNamara, who praised RISE’s removal of financial barriers, called the future educators an “incredible group” destined to change lives “both with your skills but equally as much as with your hearts.”
“Today is not just about celebrating the completion of a program,” the mayor said.
“Each of you has reached this meaningful milestone on your way to becoming an educator, and you’ve chosen to grow here, to learn here and to give back right here in Rockford,” he added. “Thank you for that commitment to our community. Rockford is better because of you and our future will be brighter because of all your efforts. We believe in you, and we are grateful.”
Jennifer Johnson, who served as coordinating liaison between the NIU College of Education and the RISE students, told the completers that they are only “at the very beginning” of continuing to make positive differences for children and families.
“You guys did it. You’re on the other side,” Johnson said. “I am honored and privileged to have been a part of that journey, and I am so happy to see where you’ve come. I know where you started, I know where you are now and I know what it took to get there.”
Erica Hernandez knows, too.
She was four months pregnant when she started the program and now is the mother of a son who is almost 2. Between giving birth, parenting, working, taking classes, studying late at night and student-teaching at Johnson Elementary School, it’s been “a little bit of a whirlwind.”
But she feels “more prepared than I thought I would be” and is eager “to finally have my own classroom. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time.”
“I’m definitely more confident in my abilities. I feel like I was a little shy when I first got in front of the children but now I feel totally natural and comfortable,” Hernandez said. “I’m so excited that I was given this opportunity because if I didn’t have it totally paid for, I wouldn’t have been able to do this.”
Roberto Davila and Shawaun Gordon student-taught at Riverdahl Elementary School.
“My whole entire life, I never saw myself in a position like this,” Davila said, “but being there, and experiencing it, and being a teacher who someone looks up to? Being that positive role model in their life and someone outside of their home they can trust? It feels great.”
NIU’s coursework has improved his critical thinking and made him ready for any “stressful” situations in the classroom, he added.
“There’s always a way to get out of it. There’s always that route that’s going to take you, no matter how many bumps or how many obstacles are on the way. You can get over those, and you’ll be just fine,” Davila said. “I know not to be loud but to be firm. That way, the kids know who they have to listen to, who is in control and that you’re there for them.”
Gordon, who found confirmation to “never give up on your dreams,” said she is ready for the fall thanks for NIU’s coursework and her mentor-teacher.
“My goal is to have a nurturing classroom and, thankfully, my mentor-teacher is the same way, so that’s just been a blessing and a beautiful thing,” Gordon said.
“The main thing that I’ve definitely improved on is knowing how to keep the students engaged and to make teaching fun. I don’t want my students to come to school and feel that this is just ‘a job.’ I want it to be loving and fun while learning,” she added. “I’ve become more responsible, more patient. I see it myself when I’m talking to my son. I’m talking like a teacher. It’s in me now.”
Like the others, and as a self-described “average student in high school,” she appreciates her employer’s belief in her.
“I’ve always said to myself that if I ever had the opportunity to be able to complete my teaching degree, because that’s my biggest passion and I’ve been in the district for 14 years, that I would do my best,” Gordon said, “and I did. I got all A’s.”
Others graduating were Kim Beaman, Amy Breese, Breanna Brown, Allison Boaz, Ariella Cole, Michele Hannah, Alastair Jemison, Quenela Merriweather, Liqaa Mohammed, Bill Radovich, Rose Richard, Zachary Rubio, Nelly Rodriguez, Shannon Monique Stubbs and Rachel Zell.
