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Founders Elementary School

Alumni stars of ‘A Teacher’s Shoes’ talk educational philosophies at film’s debut

December 15, 2025 Mark McGowan Alumni, CI, enewsletter, KNPE

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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Alumna Dominique Yackley inspires graduates at New Teacher Send-off

May 14, 2024 Mark McGowan CI, enewsletter, KNPE, SEED

As a new group of NIU College of Education licensure majors prepared to graduate and become professionals in the classroom, a seasoned veteran advised them to pack well for the journey ahead. Their luggage, said Dominique Yackley, must include “exuberance.” “If you

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Elementary Education alumni selected as Chicago-area Golden Apple finalists

April 19, 2023 Mark McGowan Alumni, CI, enewsletter

Erin Odle has always loved working with children. Piotr Wojciaczyk drew inspiration from a high school music teacher. Dominique Yackley discovered her ambition from within after she left high school as a sophomore. Connecting the three NIU College of Education alumni, all

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Dancing Queen: P.E. alumna Kelly Zerby thrives as teacher, colleague, advocate

April 1, 2022 Mark McGowan Alumni, CI, enewsletter, KNPE, KNPE alumni eNewsletter, LEPF

Young Sullivan Zerby could barely contain his excitement. The 15-year-old Huntley High School freshman was in kindergarten then, his mother remembers, and had come home with news about something amazing that happened in his P.E. class that day. “Sully says, ‘Mom, we

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