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 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 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 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 moreEarly Childhood Education 2+2 to debut in Fall 2024 at McHenry County College
The NIU College of Education has added another “2+2” agreement to create a seamless transfer pathway for community college students. Beginning next fall, Early Childhood Education will become of five NIU majors being offered at the University Center at McHenry County College,
Read morePhoto Gallery: New Teacher Send-off
The NIU College of Education recognized spring graduates of licensure programs May 12 during the New Teacher Send-off event in Cavan Auditorium. NIU alumna Kimberly Radostits, the 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year and a 2023 National Teacher of the Year finalist,
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 moreMultiple voices, perspectives fuel work of Student Academic Equity Committee
Sherry Franklin knows that more people like her are needed. Franklin, an Educator Effectiveness specialist with the Chicago Public Schools and a part-time instructor at Malcolm X College, is Black. And, for that reason, the doctoral student in the Department of Curriculum
Read moreThree additional 2+2 agreements signed with Waubonsee Community College
Three more NIU College of Education bachelor’s degree programs are now available in a seamless 2+2 format to Waubonsee Community College students. Early Childhood Education, Special Education and Kinesiology have joined Elementary Education, Physical Education and Sport Management on the menu of
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 more