When Lexi Koehl began her research on federalism and education policy, it started as an honors component for her Political Science course. As the project developed, however, it became clear that her work addressed timely and meaningful issues with lasting relevance, especially
Read moreVision Studies faculty team with library to provide free e-textbooks to students, encourage others to explore possibilities
During the annual meeting of the American Printing House for the Blind in October, Molly Pasley heard something remarkable. A professor from another university told her about a partnership with the school’s library that gave students free access to many Vision Studies
Read moreNew seasons of ‘American Idol’ remind Vision Studies alum of his work’s worth
When the 24th season of “American Idol” debuted Jan. 26, Steve Pohl wasn’t watching. But that certainly wasn’t the case in the spring of 2019 during Season 17, when the NIU College of Education graduate played a pivotal role in the story
Read moreRockford LEAP graduates celebrate bachelor’s degrees in special education
Andria Williams stepped behind the podium, smiled and raised a victorious fist in the air. “We did it, y’all!” The new graduate of the NIU College of Education’s LEAP (Licensed Educator Accelerated Pathway) program with the Rockford Public Schools served as the
Read moreNew Teacher Send-off urges graduates to ‘just remember why you’re doing it’
Graham Davis felt ready to become a teacher. His NIU College of Education curriculum. His clinicals. His student-teaching. He was prepared. But then came job interviews, followed by an unexpected thought: “I don’t know what I’m doing.” “After that third interview, I
Read moreVisual Disabilities students head north to visit Wisconsin School for the Blind
Eleven students in NIU’s program in Visual Disabilities gained close-up exposure this fall to a career option they might never had considered. Molly Pasley, assistant professor in the Department of Special and Early Education, drove the group to the Wisconsin School for
Read moreCollege to host Nov. 12 screening, panel to debut ‘A Teacher’s Shoes’ docu-film
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 moreSEED’s Michelle Sands procures return of statewide Early CHOICES grant to NIU
Early CHOICES is returning to NIU. Funded by an Illinois State Board of Education Training and Technical Assistance grant, the initiative that launched on campus in 1990 focuses on the “least restrictive environment” (LRE) for children ages 3 to 5, which is
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 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 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
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