In the six months since Project FLEX began delivering physical education and leadership training to young men incarcerated in the Illinois Youth Center of St. Charles, many eyes have been opened. Jenn Jacobs and Zach Wahl-Alexander, professors in the NIU Department of
Read moreAthletics honors pre-Title era Huskies, COE alumnae return for varsity letters
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, thoughts of saluting the great achievements of women continue to resonate throughout Intercollegiate Athletics. During the weekend of Feb. 15 and 16, a College of Education reunion of sorts took place throughout campus and
Read moreP.E. Leadership Summit trains, inspires students from West Aurora High School
Jim Ressler is a strong advocate for the power and potential of Physical Education leadership programs. “First, they offer a different experience for high school students in P.E. classes,” says Ressler, a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. “Second,
Read morePhysical Education alum Cal Korf takes a trip down memory lane six decades after his 1955 graduation from NISTC
“Dear Chairman McEvoy,” the note begins. “I just read your informative letter dated October 1, 2018. Congratulations on the program you are managing in Anderson Hall.” Written by Cal Korf, the typewritten missive to Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education Chair Chad
Read moreKNPE professors, grad student launch Project FLEX inside Illinois Youth Center
Opened in December 1904, the 120-acre Illinois Youth Center in St. Charles can hold 348 juvenile males in its Level 2 medium-security facility. The average daily population of 138 represents about 40 percent of that capacity. The average age is 17. Those
Read moreLike father, like son: P.E. proves perfect major for Maveus family
Jeff Maveus had spent his professional years at DeKalb Genetics, feeling secure and content in his position with the Corporate Services Department. That changed when Monsanto purchased the company in 1998. “I knew it was just a matter of time before I
Read moreExercise Science Club students shine at Abominable Snow Race
Caitlin Paxton’s journey to the foot of a snowy Lake Geneva mountain drew her into the heart of the Abominable Snow Race. But amid the frigid cold and friendly competition, the senior from Plano found affirmation of her dream to teach Physical
Read moreCollege of Education maintains nearly perfect edTPA pass rates
When Sarah Paver began her student-teaching class last August, the graduate student in Physical Education quickly became concerned. “I was very nervous when the edTPA came up,” says Paver, who graduated in December. “A lot of my classmates had said that they
Read moreKNPE students lead fun, games at Brooks Elementary field day
Cold winds blew across the Brooks Elementary School playground Halloween morning, but those chills couldn’t stop the fun of bowling soccer balls and poofy balls toward a 10-pin pumpkin or running relays around hay bales. Within the warmth of the building, an
Read morePhysical Ed majors provide ‘structured recess’ programming for Brooks Elementary children
Recess is fun and games at most elementary school students, but it’s not always without problems. For one, it’s often lightly supervised. And, says Zach Wahl-Alexander, professor of Physical Education, it’s likely parent-volunteers and not teachers who are in charge. Meanwhile, Wahl-Alexander
Read moreAthletics shares Jacoby Trophy during Anderson Hall ‘tour stop’
When Mary Bell came to NIU in 1957, she was told to spend 75 percent of her time teaching Physical Education and the rest leading intramurals and intercollegiate sports for women. “Pretty soon, they took intramurals off,” Bell says. “I was excited
Read moreCollege of Ed alumna shares KNPE instructional philosophies with P.E. teachers in Chicago
Yara Santillan traded her sneakers for high heels, her gym for a cubicle and her whistle for a smartphone. What the new coordinator of Physical Education for the Chicago Public Schools hasn’t given up is her drive and ambition to make a
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