Molly Kettelhut spent her childhood dreaming of one thing. “I wanted to teach for my whole life. I went through a short period where I wanted to do something else, but then I quickly realized – like I always had known –
Read moreGood timing: Pi-Sui Hsu presents camp on air quality during Canadian wildfires
As the skies over Illinois turned gray and unhealthy with smoke from Canadian wildfires, canceling many outdoor events and prompting people to stay home, no one saw a silver lining. Except for Pi-Sui Hsu. Hsu, a professor in the Department of Educational
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 moreAspiring superintendents gather online ‘after hours’ to enhance learning, circles
Colleen Cook and her fellow Ed.S. in Educational Administration students always enjoyed the presence of guest speakers from Clinical Assistant Professor Lynn Gibson’s professional network. Gibson, who led Hononegah Community High School District 207 from 2012 to 2018, and who recently served
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 moreUruguayan teachers visit NIU, nearby schools to gather ideas for improvement
After two weeks of visiting schools in DeKalb, Rochelle and the Chicago suburbs, 20 teachers from Uruguay made their way to Rockford. Their destination – Lincoln Middle School, opened in 1927 and located adjacent to the city’s historic Midtown District – provided
Read moreWarmth of the Sun: Pi-Sui Hsu enables Rockford students to build solar ‘cars’
What provides the key to driving solar-powered model cars to the finish line? Observations and questions, apparently. At least that was the case for a dozen Rockford middle-schoolers who spent a week with Pi-Sui Hsu this June. “The purpose of the summer
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 moreCollege of Education, Rock Valley sign 2+2 pathway for Elementary Education
The NIU College of Education has forged a 2+2 partnership with Rock Valley College to smooth the transfer path for future Elementary Education majors. Beginning this fall, the agreement provides RVC students a prescribed, sequential set of general education courses during their
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
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