Razak Dwomoh, assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, received the inaugural Early Career Award from the Purdue University College of Education during its 2025 Education Appreciation and Alumni Awards. “Over the years, the Purdue COE has celebrated several Distinguished
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 moreGoing up: Fall 2025 enrollment climbs
Enrollment in the NIU College of Education is up 3.2% over last fall, powered by a 92-student jump in undergraduate population. The total headcount now stands at a 10-year high of 2,642; of those, 1,412 are in bachelor’s programs and account for
Read moreNSF-funded study: Pi-Sui Hsu partners with West Aurora 129 for new research
Pi-Sui Hsu is celebrating a $100,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to advance her study of teaching scientific argumentation with technology. The federally funded, one-year project with teammate West Aurora School District 129 will examine challenges to that practice but also
Read moreStephanie Baker, Natalie Andzik travel to Thailand to deliver pair of workshops
When Yuwadee Viriyangkura needed more experts and broader perspectives to provide professional development to educators in Thailand, she remembered a classmate and friend from her doctoral studies at Illinois State University. Stephanie Baker. Viriyangkura is the creator of the well-regarded Association of
Read moreBelonging Committee plans discussions to examine research findings, next steps
Members of the College of Education’s Belonging Committee have identified the key themes that will focus their work moving forward. Four “interrelated dimensions” – Belonging and Mattering; Voice and Decision-making Power; Equity in Workload and Opportunity; and Leadership and Commitment to DEI
Read moreLin Zhu empowers Indonesian teachers, local leaders with strategies that foster inclusive early childhood classrooms
A new member of the Department of Special and Early Education faculty arrived in DeKalb with a cool “What I Did This Summer” story. Lin Zhu, assistant professor of Early Childhood Special Education, designed and delivered professional development via Zoom to empower
Read moreNew, federally funded project to prepare special education teachers for rural, small-town northwest Illinois districts
More than two dozen classroom paraprofessionals and long-term substitutes in rural and small-town school districts throughout the northwest corner of the state are embarking on a tuition-free path to becoming special education teachers. The NIU College of Education’s Licensed Educator Accelerated Pathway
Read moreDean’s Grants applications invited
The College of Education is thrilled to once again invite applications for the Dean’s Grants, designed to fuel the innovative scholarship of our faculty and students. This is your chance to secure funding, showcase your ideas, and push the boundaries of teaching,
Read moreCongratulations!
Michelle Sands, assistant professor of Special Education in the Department of Special and Early Education, has joined Illinois’ Pyramid Model State Leadership Team (SLT). The Illinois SLT recognizes that the Pyramid Model – a conceptual framework of evidence-based practices for promoting young
Read morePhotos: COE Student Welcome Picnic
Scenes from … a COE Student Welcome Picnic, held Aug. 24 on the Anderson Hall West Lawn! Click on any image for a full-size view:
Read morePhotos: NIU Culture Fest
Eric Junco and Lauren Lett represented the College of Education at NIU’s Aug. 20 Culture Fest, a vibrant annual event designed to bring together the entire NIU campus community. More than just a celebration, it serves as a bridge between students, faculty,
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