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 moreBest of both worlds: Educate U.S. takes virtual trip to Houston during pandemic
COVID-19 could not cancel the NIU College of Education’s January 2021 edition of Educate U.S. with the Houston Independent School District. Even as the pandemic did prevent travel to Texas for the 14 teacher-licensure candidates chosen to participate in the real-world learning,
Read moreCommencement profile: Evadne Bowlin
Out of concern for the health and safety of the Huskie community, NIU is hosting virtual commencement ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 13, for those who register. Those who would prefer to watch after the scheduled times can visit YouTube
Read moreHouston, we have liftoff! Two COE alums reach stars with Texas teaching awards
Jessica Dyra and Aimee Zepeda are proof of the power of positive role models. “I’ve always liked school, and as I grew up, I saw how much of an impact my teachers had on me,” says Dyra, who is from Crystal Lake.
Read moreEducate U.S., Engage U.S. celebrate second year of journeys to North Dakota, Colorado
Sometimes the second time around is just as sweet as the first. May 2019 saw the return of Educate U.S. in North Dakota and Engage U.S. in Colorado and Nebraska; both new options of the NIU College of Education programs debuted in
Read moreEducate U.S. marks five years of success through eight Huskie alums in Houston
Evelyn Brand traveled to Houston in January 2017 with her eyes wide open. A junior Elementary Education major at the time, Brand’s senses crackled from “how much Houston has to offer,” from its metropolitan culture and world-class Italian and Mexican restaurants to
Read moreAbove and beyond: Ten students earn right to wear Educate and Engage stoles
Ten graduates of the NIU College of Education sported something new when they crossed the stage during the Dec. 15 and 16 commencement ceremonies. Blue stoles emblazoned with the words “Educate” and “Engage” boldly conveyed that the students took full advantage of
Read moreEducate U.S. travelers ‘forever changed’ during week in tiny North Dakota school
Caleb Pursell simply wanted a taste of teaching in a rural area. And that’s exactly what he got in the Mandaree School District, located within North Dakota’s Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. The senior Elementary Education major joined three other NIU College of
Read moreEducate U.S. program to offer unique glimpse of rural teaching inside North Dakota reservation
North Dakota’s Mandaree School District is a three-hour drive from the nearest airport in Bismarck. The closest hotel is at least 20 miles away, if not 30. Shopping for groceries – beyond those for sale at the tiny convenience store in town,
Read moreCollege of Ed boosts hurricane relief work in Texas, Puerto Rico
Students, faculty and staff in the NIU College of Education recently raised $2,200 to send to the HISD Foundation in support of the Houston Independent School District. Ravaged by Hurricane Harvey, the Houston schools were forced to delay their opening days by
Read moreEducate U.S. travelers celebrate another successful trip to Texas
One by one, the names of Farias Early Childhood Center students are called as the morning attendance is taken. When there is no response – no “Here!” or “¡Aquí!”– a child stationed at the front of the classroom carefully removes that classmate’s
Read moreLone Star stars: Educate U.S. ‘teas’ up for May trip to Texas
NIU College of Education students selected for the May 2017 edition of Educate U.S. gathered last week in a Graham Hall classroom to learn more about their pending trip to the Houston Independent School District. Jennifer Johnson, the college’s director of teacher
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