Many teachers talk of playing school in their childhood basements as kids. Dana Freedlund did that, too. A chalkboard. A magnetic board. Desks. Worksheets that she handed out to her friends. She had it all. That’s not what drove her to a
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 moreAlumni stars of ‘A Teacher’s Shoes’ talk educational philosophies at film’s debut
NIU College of Education alumni featured in the new documentary, “A Teacher’s Shoes,” spoke about their work during a panel discussion held after the Nov. 12 debut screening. Educators Grace Desmsedt, Ashley Manor and Dominique Yackley told stories about creating routines that
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Chynar Amanova, a grant program assistant and tutor with the RISE (Rockford Inspiring School and Community Excellence) initiative, received NIU’s Outstanding Staff Contribution to International Education award this fall. Amanova was among four individuals and one department honored during International Education Week
Read moreMary Earick fueled by first Tetova visit, ready to advance longtime partnership
One year after representatives from the University of Tetova visited DeKalb to nurture and advance the longtime partnership, an NIU delegation continued the discussions during a September trip to Macedonia. And, for new College of Education Dean Mary Earick, her first visit
Read moreApplause! ‘A Teacher’s Shoes’ stars walk red carpet, watch documentary’s debut
People who celebrate the power of education – and those who practice it – came together Nov. 12 to watch the debut of a new documentary that takes a walk in “A Teacher’s Shoes.” The locally produced film, created by the NIU
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Jodi Lampi, associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and director of Academic Literacy and Learning, was inducted as a Fellow of the Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education Associations (CLADEA). The CLADEA fellowship is the highest honor awarded
Read moreDouble-alumna Cynthia Kilmer chosen for Teach Plus Illinois Policy Fellowship
Cynthia Kilmer, a double-alumna of the NIU College of Education, has been named a 2025-26 Teach Plus Illinois Early Childhood Educator Policy Fellow. According to the Teach Plus website, the program selects outstanding teachers to “develop their leadership abilities and learn to
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 moreEducate Global trip to Indonesia offers rich experiences in cultural awareness
Before Daisy Cruz went on the Summer 2025 Educate Global trip to Indonesia, she considered herself “a very shy person.” Now the senior Elementary Education major classifies that as “stepping into her voice.” “My biggest reason why I wanted to experience this
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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 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
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