Ariella Cole hasn’t started teaching yet. Cole is among the 20 paraeducators currently pursuing NIU bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education through the RISE (Rockford Inspiring School and Community Excellence) initiative. But she’s a behavioral intervention specialist who already works in District 205
Read morePLEDGE-ECC celebrates new graduates, program’s alumni roster surpasses 100
Olivia Warren had never really considered becoming a teacher. A part-time job as an elementary school cafeteria/recess aide changed that. “I was interested in going into social work because I really like the mental health aspect,” Warren says. “Then, I started working
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 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 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 moreStudent Research Symposium exhibits oral, poster presentations of discovery
When Matteo de Leon came to NIU to earn a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, he wasn’t sure where he wanted that path to lead. Now he knows. “I knew that I loved personal training, but I knew that I could always do
Read moreYum! Elementary Ed majors talk pizza, engage Chana Education Center pupils
Whether pizza truly is America’s favorite food is the stuff(ed crust) of hopeless debate. But considering the infinite personal preferences for preparing a pie, it’s no surprise how many ways that creative teachers can slice it up for the sake of learning.
Read moreAlternative Spring BAE travelers discuss work, life realizations during Belize trip
Three students from the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education who traveled to Belize during spring break joined in an April 9 panel discussion to talk about their experiences abroad. Emerson Baptist, Ashanti Ford and Wiktor Kwiatkowski, all of whom are studying
Read moreEarly Childhood Education majors visit Riverwoods Montessori school to see, experience a different way of teaching
Carolyn Kambich winds her way through a group of NIU College of Education visitors at Riverwoods Montessori Elementary School to announce that an impromptu piano performance is taking place just down the hall. Sure enough, a young girl – maybe in fourth-grade,
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 moreKNPE Career Fair attracts more than 200 Sport Management, Kinesiology majors
As a freshman NIU softball player from St. Louis, Jaylyn Brister knows why she’s majoring in kinesiology. “I’m a student-athlete. I’ve been through injuries. I’m really interested in how the body works,” Brister says. “Using my muscles and my body as an
Read moreUpward: ‘Blindness Experience’ scores rave reviews, nearly doubles enrollment
When Stacy Kelly debuted SEVI 205/505: The Blindness Experience last spring, 80 students from throughout the NIU campus registered for the new general education course. And then they told their friends. Enrollment has nearly doubled to 150 this semester – and Kelly,
Read more