Olivia Warren had never really considered becoming a teacher. A part-time job as an elementary school cafeteria/recess aide changed that. “I was interested in going into social work because I really like the mental health aspect,” Warren says. “Then, I started working
Read moreActing Dean Bill Pitney ready to retire, marks 31 years in College of Education
The year was 2022, and Bill Pitney had made a remarkable decision. Pitney would leave his six-year position as associate dean of Research, Resources and Innovation to return to the faculty of his home Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education: The call
Read moreWishing you a joyful holiday season
A message from Bill Pitney, acting dean of the NIU College of Education. Dear Faculty and Staff, Like it often does, December is delivering days that are frigidly cold next to days that seem to herald the arrival of spring. Snow is
Read moreCollege team gathers for fall meeting
Faculty and staff gathered Aug. 20 for the fall All-College Meeting, which culminated in the annual group photo in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commons and an invitation to Sunday’s picnic. Acting Dean Bill Pitney and associate deans David Walker
Read moreNIU, RPS, Grow Your Own Illinois ‘RISE’ together to equip RPS 205 employees as licensed elementary education teachers
More than two dozen future teachers who already work for the Rockford Public Schools in support roles are now on their way to employer-paid bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University. Among their champions is Grow Your Own Illinois, the
Read moreMessage from the Acting Dean
As another year of teaching, learning, scholarship and service comes to a close, please know that it has been a true privilege to serve as your acting dean – and that I am honored and humbled to continue doing so for another
Read morePLEDGE-ECC cheers fourth ElEd cohort, celebrates Early Childhood trailblazers
Ask Ania Tyrka why she wants to become a teacher, and she immediately smiles and points right at 10-year-old Anthony. “This little guy – my son,” said Tyrka, a “mom, homemaker and wife” who also credits 12-year-old daughter, Zosia, for the decision
Read moreAlumna Dominique Yackley inspires graduates at New Teacher Send-off
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
Read moreStudent Research Symposium celebrates undergraduate, graduate-level projects
As a Special Education major in clinical placements, Courtney James noticed something about students with autism and their devices for augmentative and alternative communication. They weren’t using them – at least not to initiate dialogue, James says, or not at all. Most
Read moreMessage from the Acting Dean
Greetings! I hope the rest and relaxation of Spring Break – and the anticipation of spring weather – brings you some excitement and energy as we journey to the second half of the semester. Reasons for that optimism are plenty. Consider, for
Read moreMessage from the Acting Dean
The arrival of cold, snow and holiday commercials means that fall commencement is almost here – and all of that makes me think of the gifts you bring to the College of Education. Your work is a part of every student who
Read moreMessage from the Acting Dean
Impossible as it seems, Thanksgiving is only two weeks from today – and, appropriately, my heart is filled with gratitude for the College of Education. Serving as your acting dean remains an honor and privilege, and I have appreciated the opportunity to
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