One year after the NIU College of Education launched an innovative program in principal preparation for the Rockford Public Schools, a second cohort has begun. This fall, the new group includes six aspiring administrators from School District U-46. Ryan Corcoran, Huff Elementary
Read moreIllinois school leaders to talk COVID-19 during June 16 Whiteboard Wednesday
Like everyone working to navigate COVID-19, Lynn Gibson has questions. “Is this our new normal?” asks Gibson, a clinical assistant professor in the Educational Administration program and an interim superintendent of Paw Paw Community Unit School District 271. Regardless of her active
Read moreCollege of Ed counts four alumni, one student among Golden Apple finalists
Five of the finalists for the prestigious 2021 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching and for Excellence in Leadership claim the NIU College of Education in their pedigrees. NIU alumni Maddi Bodine, Anne McNamara and Virginia Valdez are among the 32
Read moreBlack, Brown & Bilingüe: Alums launch podcast while leading suburban schools
For Lissette Jacobson and Maurice McDavid, the connection began Day One. Both began working in DeKalb in August of 2011, when they attended an orientation for new teachers – and Jacobson couldn’t help but notice McDavid’s commanding voice in the room: “You’re
Read moreIASBO partnership continues to prepare Illinois chief school business officials
Language on the Illinois Association of School Business Officials website (IASBO) leaves no doubt. “For those seeking a master’s degree, Northern Illinois University has become the quintessential training ground in the state for school business leaders!” it proclaims. “Students in the School
Read moreUncharted waters: KNPE alum leading COVID-prompted online public school
Families in the 15,000-student Thompson School District of Loveland, Colorado, were offered an intriguing and innovative option this fall as the COVID-19 pandemic barreled into another semester. Called Thompson Connect Online (TCO), it’s a completely virtual “school” created solely to enroll the
Read morePrincipal Residency Program creates model for development of school leaders
Growing up in Rockford, Amber Lee-Black found a home – and a life’s direction – on the basketball courts. “I didn’t want to go to work every day dreading going to work,” said Lee-Black, who played hoops for Auburn High School, Highland
Read moreCollege of Education, RPS 205 launch Rockford Principal Residency Program
The Northern Illinois University College of Education and Rockford Public Schools will launch this fall an innovative partnership to develop school leaders to serve the needs of Rockford-area schools. This cohort-based program is designed to improve academic and social-emotional learning outcomes from
Read moreEducational Administration alumni lead school districts through COVID-19 crisis
Brian Harris, M.S.Ed. ’91, Ph.D. ’01, had visited the bustling cafeteria of Barrington High School many times before. He had never regarded it the way he did March 12, however, through the social-distancing lens of COVID-19. “We have 650 kids eating lunch
Read moreJacobs HS Principal Barb Valle reflects on NIU-launched administrative career
Most parents would love to hear that their daughter wanted to become a teacher. Not Barb Valle’s, however, who were less than thrilled when she dropped her original major in International Business. “I’m originally from Princeton, Ill. I had a wonderful, wonderful
Read moreCleaning up: Ed.S. student recalls path from custodian to curriculum director
Like many teens, Michael Courington was dying to get a job. “My family didn’t have a lot of money growing up. I was chomping at the bit to turn 16 to start working because I wanted a car,” Courington says. “My mother
Read moreFirst-year high school principal builds strong foundation with NIU preparation
During the six years Matthew Bennett and his wife, Erin, spent teaching school in Nevada, he realized his professional future might lie outside the classroom. “We just had a lot of turnover in the administrative ranks,” Bennett says. “I thought, ‘There’s got
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