For the NIU College of Education’s spring group of educator licensure graduates, part of their professional mission was made clear May 9 during the New Teacher Send-off. Rachael Mahmood, the 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year and a 2016 alumna of the
Read moreCollege hosts Celebration of Excellence
Applause sounded frequently May 2 during the College of Education’s annual Celebration of Excellence. Updates from Acting Dean Bill Pitney included the outlook for enrollment: The numbers are positive on several fronts, he said. “We are trending in the right direction, so
Read moreBSAM-ITTE alum Ray Schaefer donates 14 virtual reality headsets to alma mater
A 2023 alumnus of the College of Education’s B.S.A.M. in Instructional Technology degree has honored his alma mater with a gift of Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headsets and a large cleaning unit. The donation from Ray Schaefer, who works in global
Read moreCAHE students return from Bucerías trip with hearts of humanity, compassion
During Kristin Lee’s 13 years as a bilingual special education teacher, she shepherded multiple high school groups on global trips. Her chance this spring to flip the script was not one she could pass up. “I’m a huge world traveler. I love
Read moreProject FLEX basketball tourney hosts youth from five juvenile justice centers
Three dozen youth in the secure custody of the State of Illinois showed off their hoops skills this spring during the inaugural “FLEX Lloyd Tournament of Champions” basketball tournament at Northern Illinois University’s Anderson Hall. And, between the whistles, they enjoyed another
Read moreGood dog! Visual Disabilities students visit The Seeing Eye, Inc. in New Jersey
Orientation and Mobility majors in NIU’s Visual Disabilities program traveled to Morristown, New Jersey, in April to visit The Seeing Eye, Inc. The philanthropic organization strives to enhance the independence, dignity and self-confidence of people who are blind or visually disabled. Its
Read moreNIU conducts spring commencement
Congratulations to our newest NIU College of Education alumni! One of our graduates was featured in a video shown during the ceremony! Meet Matteo de Leon, who earned his B.S. in Kinesiology: Click on any image for a larger view.
Read moreNIU awards Jenn Jacobs for excellence in mentoring master’s, doctoral students
When Jenn Jacobs arrived on the NIU campus in 2012, she came not to teach but to learn. Jacobs began her pursuit of a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology then, only three years after earning her bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois
Read moreActing Dean Bill Pitney ready to retire, marks 31 years in College of Education
The year was 2022, and Bill Pitney had made a remarkable decision. Pitney would leave his six-year position as associate dean of Research, Resources and Innovation to return to the faculty of his home Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education: The call
Read moreStats man David Walker ready to retire from career not at all ‘by the numbers’
Funny how one unexpected moment can change everything. Or, in the case of David Walker, a series of spontaneity – or, as he calls it, just dumb luck. The College of Education’s associate dean for Academic Affairs hails from Crosby, Minnesota, a
Read moreReading instructor Mary Gardner writes final chapter of 52-year education career
When Mary Gardner graduated from Western Illinois University with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, the market for teachers wasn’t nearly as exciting as she was excited to get a classroom. “Enrollments were just starting to drop, and it was like schools
Read moreA heart for students: Kim Suedbeck set to retire from instilling future teachers with compassion, grand expectations
Life has come full circle for Kim Suedbeck. “I started babysitting at a young age. I loved kids, and I always thought I was going to be a teacher – and I never changed my mind,” says Suedbeck, a clinical assistant professor
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