Congratulations to these members of the NIU College of Education family! Stephanie DeSpain, assistant professor of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Special and Early Education, is among three winners of NIU’s Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Awards for 2022. The Excellence
Read moreToni Van Laarhoven retires to new paths advocating for adults with special needs
Toni Van Laarhoven’s foremost “why” is named Steffanie. Van Laarhoven’s older sister, who is non-speaking and has severe intellectual disabilities, inspired more than the career of the Distinguished Teaching Professor in the NIU Department of Special and Early Education (SEED). Steffanie also
Read moreAlumna Aimee Zepeda visits COE to help recruitment for Educate U.S. in Houston
For the first time since January 2020, the NIU College of Education’s Educate U.S. program will this May transport select licensure candidates to the Houston Independent School District for a week of immersion in the life of a teacher. Aimee Zepeda knows
Read moreThree first-year faculty members share details on teaching, research interests
It’s still Year One for three NIU College of Education faculty members who joined the team in August. Read below to learn more about Quortne Hutchings, Farah Ishaq and Stephen Walker – in their own words. Quortne Hutchings Ph.D., Higher Education, Loyola
Read moreU-46 paraprofessionals ‘leap’ to begin journey to Special Education degrees
Thirty-five paraprofessionals from School District U-46 have begun their employer-paid pursuit of NIU bachelor’s degrees in Special Education. Part of the College of Education’s PLEDGE-Partnering to Lead and Empower District-Grown Educators initiative, the new Licensed Educator Accelerated Pathway (LEAP) program provides a
Read moreAgainst All Odds
by Angela M. Johansson, M.A. ’05 Originally appeared in Northern Now North Lawndale is one of the toughest neighborhoods on Chicago’s West Side. Its streets are plagued by poverty and gang violence. Each morning, workers in reflective orange vests are stationed at
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