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 moreBuilding bridges: RISE to revolutionize teaching, learning in Rockford schools by engaging community, valuing voices
Taren Turner frames her obligation as an educator in terms of “ensuring responsiveness and innovation.” And the director of Alternative Education Programming for the Rockford Public Schools has discovered ways to do just that in the RISE (Rockford Inspiring School and Community
Read morePLEDGE-ECC cheers fourth ElEd cohort, celebrates Early Childhood trailblazers
Ask Ania Tyrka why she wants to become a teacher, and she immediately smiles and points right at 10-year-old Anthony. “This little guy – my son,” said Tyrka, a “mom, homemaker and wife” who also credits 12-year-old daughter, Zosia, for the decision
Read moreNIU PLEDGE, Elgin Community College add 18 elementary teachers to pipeline
The numbers tell an amazing story. Eighteen B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education majors started the third cohort of the College of Education’s PLEDGE (Partnering to Lead and Empower District-Grown Educators) program with Elgin Community College in the fall semester of 2021. All 18
Read moreReady to teach: Second PLEDGE cohort celebrates ECC-NIU education degrees
Michael Brady’s motivation appeared when he was in sixth-grade – in the form of a male teacher. For Jocelynne Escontrias, the role models in those School District U-46 classrooms shared her culture: “It was just great to see people lead by example
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