What motivates educators to devote their lives to the process of teaching and learning? How do they find the energy to climb out of bed each morning, fill their water bottles, pack their lunches and drive through the darkness to their schools?
Read moreCounseling alum Sarah Nauman scores as a ‘Chicago Bears Classroom Legend’
When the caller ID on Sarah Nauman’s ringing phone showed “Chicago Bears,” she knew just what to do. Nothing. “I was like, ‘Telemarketer spam.’ I’m like, ‘I’m not answering that.’ I’m like, ‘Whatever.’ My husband, Tyler, was sitting next to me, and
Read moreDouble-alum Maurice McDavid readies Mitchell Elementary School for launch
DeKalb grew Maurice McDavid from the ground up. Born and raised in the Barb City, he called the Eden’s Garden neighborhood home. He spent kindergarten at Lincoln Elementary School, transferred to Tyler for first- and second-grades and completed third- and fourth-grades at
Read moreNew Teacher Send-off urges graduates to believe ‘that every student can learn’
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 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 moreAlumni Accomplishments
Congratulations to these alumni of the NIU College of Education! Phil Asbury, M.S.Ed. Adult and Continuing Education, ’ 94, began work Dec. 1 as executive director of the Office of Student Financial Aid at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Asbury’s more than 30
Read morePh.D. candidate Priyanka Jha receives top award for counseling scholarship
Priyanka Jha was barely a teenager in India, and already brimming with ambition and confidence, when her ultimate destination in life came into view. “Since sixth-grade, I’ve always wanted to pursue a doctoral program – and in the U.S.,” Jha says. “I
Read moreShine on! Two alumnae named finalists for Chicago-area Golden Apple awards
One dreamed of teaching art but eventually decided that she would not pursue that goal – until, well, she did. The other wanted to work as a print journalist, and even did so for a while, but ultimately realized that she needed
Read moreSweet! COE alumna Lisa Robinson wins Rockford-area 2025 Golden Apple award
Lisa Robinson, kindergarten teacher at Rolling Green Elementary School, has been a Golden Apple finalist before. And now Robinson, who earned a B.S.Ed. in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing in 2004, is a winner. “Being recognized as a Top 20
Read moreRecent ETRA master’s graduate equips future Huskies to navigate Blackboard
When NIU faculty have technical questions about Blackboard, they often turn to the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL). And when NIU students have technical questions about Blackboard, they turn to … well, typically, the faculty who are requiring them to
Read moreAlumna Erin Anderson finds her place, Golden Apple recognition as a principal
Erin Anderson had witnessed a Golden Apple surprise before. March 16, 2023. An entourage of well-wishers had come to Harlem School District 122’s Donald C. Parker Early Education Center, where Anderson serves as principal. They huddled near her office, waiting to congratulate
Read moreGrateful: Double-alumna Mary Noe sees reward in sharing ‘gifts’ of NIU degrees
Mary Noe knows the key to flourishing and informational transactions between high school students and educators. Listening. “I feel that a lot of students do not have many people who would listen to them talk; they would talk at them but not
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