When Hunter College instructor Grace Ambrose-Zaken needed someone to research the efficacy of a device she helped to invent for children with visual disabilities, she knew where to turn. “She only sent out grant proposals to people she had known for a
Read moreCongratulations!
Congratulations to these members of the NIU College of Education family! Stephanie DeSpain, assistant professor of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Special and Early Education, is among three winners of NIU’s Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Awards for 2022. The Excellence
Read moreToni Van Laarhoven retires to new paths advocating for adults with special needs
Toni Van Laarhoven’s foremost “why” is named Steffanie. Van Laarhoven’s older sister, who is non-speaking and has severe intellectual disabilities, inspired more than the career of the Distinguished Teaching Professor in the NIU Department of Special and Early Education (SEED). Steffanie also
Read moreAlumna Aimee Zepeda visits COE to help recruitment for Educate U.S. in Houston
For the first time since January 2020, the NIU College of Education’s Educate U.S. program will this May transport select licensure candidates to the Houston Independent School District for a week of immersion in the life of a teacher. Aimee Zepeda knows
Read moreThree first-year faculty members share details on teaching, research interests
It’s still Year One for three NIU College of Education faculty members who joined the team in August. Read below to learn more about Quortne Hutchings, Farah Ishaq and Stephen Walker – in their own words. Quortne Hutchings Ph.D., Higher Education, Loyola
Read moreU-46 paraprofessionals ‘leap’ to begin journey to Special Education degrees
Thirty-five paraprofessionals from School District U-46 have begun their employer-paid pursuit of NIU bachelor’s degrees in Special Education. Part of the College of Education’s PLEDGE-Partnering to Lead and Empower District-Grown Educators initiative, the new Licensed Educator Accelerated Pathway (LEAP) program provides a
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