Jodi Megerle is passionate about River Trails Elementary School District 26. “I love the size. I love that it’s so very close-knit,” says Megerle, a three-time NIU College of Education alumna. “Even when I was hired, and when we hire new teachers
Read moreRPS 205’s Daniela Boer finds belonging, representation via NIU principal prep
When Daniela Boer was asked where she wanted to intern as a principal-candidate while in NIU’s M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration program, she had no hesitation. Lathrop Elementary School. Boer, then a bilingual teacher at the nearby Rockford Environmental Science Academy, saw great
Read moreU-46’s first principal prep cohort nears August completion of master’s degrees
When Gladys Crespo graduated from high school in her native Puerto Rico, she planned to become an engineer. That was her initial path in college as well, but it didn’t last. “I ended up teaching other students what they needed to do,
Read moreCOE alumna Miranda Thompson wins Rockford-area 2023 Golden Apple award
Miranda Thompson is a Golden Apple winner. Thompson, who earned her B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education in 2006, was among six winners named March 9 during surprise ceremonies in their Rockford-area classrooms. She also was among eight finalists with NIU College of Education
Read morePrincipal Prep program gains approval to provide fully online, hybrid options
NIU’s M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration is going 100% online next fall for those future school principals who prefer that mode of course delivery. And, for those who would rather earn their master’s degrees in a hybrid structure with classroom and virtual settings,
Read moreRockford Principal Prep program adds six Elgin U-46 candidates to new cohort
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 moreFace-to-face: All-College welcomes faculty, staff for in-person meeting
Sharing and celebrating good news is always an inspirational focus of all-college meetings, and the Aug. 24 edition was no exception. But the simple act of safely filling the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center that day – wearing masks,
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 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 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
Read moreNIU Ed Admin alum Brian Harris serves Barrington 220 with ‘what’s best for kids’
Brian Harris sports an impressive résumé. Superintendent of Schools in Barrington 220. Former superintendent of Wheaton-Warrenville 200, and assistant superintendent for Human Resources and Secondary Education in St. Charles 303. President of the Large Unit District Association in Illinois, an organization representing
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