blog posts

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  Julie Ross | Passionate About the Next Generation of Learners

  Aug 30, 2021 3:00 pm294 views

  As the 2021-2022 school year kicks off, we introduce you to Julie Ross who is thrilled to be back on this bustling campus this fall! She's even more excited to one day lead her own classroom of crazy busy middle school students. Learn more about why Julie loves Education at Illinois!

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  Danté Studamire | Here to Support First-year Students

  Sep 8, 2021 3:00 pm158 views

  Danté Studamire knows the value of sounding boards in life. In his relatively short time here at Illinois, he can already point to a handful of mentors and faculty who are helping shape his goals, vision, and future academic pursuits. (Not to mention his Ph.D. dissertation!) This year, the Office of Minority Student Affairs has appointed Danté to serve as a mentor to College of Education first-year students who are finding their way. He's part of the College's academic advising team, and is excited to meet Education students and learn about their ideas and passions.

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  Lily Greenberg | Advocating for Marginalized Students

  Sep 16, 2021 3:00 pm82 views

  Meet Lily Greenberg, an Elementary Education major who feels strongly that kids of all different backgrounds deserve a teacher who they feel represents them.

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  Kerrigan Lane | Having Fun is Crucial to Learning

  Sep 21, 2021 3:00 pm81 views

  Kerrigan is a freshman in the College's Early Childhood Education program. She's loved her own "classroom life" experience and the fun of learning in community. Kerrigan can't wait to creating a welcoming, inclusive, positive classroom environment for all her future students to grow.

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  Ana Garcia | Teaching to Fulfill Part of Her Purpose

  Sep 29, 2021 3:00 pm123 views

  Ana Garcia is a Chicago native who knows that teaching young children and serving in a low-income community is part of her life's purpose.

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  Kay Tetlak | Connecting Students to Their Community

  Oct 28, 2021 9:00 am52 views

  As a Chicago Public Schools alum, Kay Tetlak wants to give back to the school district that provided so many resources to her.

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  Erin Dickett | Valuing Students' Unfiltered Cultural Perspectives

  Nov 2, 2021 9:00 am135 views

  Middle school can be tough, but Erin Dickett says the College's new IGlobal Program helps students connect with each other around the globe. Which is inspiring for everyone.

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  Allie Gilbert | Realizing Her Passion for Equitable Education

  Nov 9, 2021 3:00 pm144 views

  Senior Allie Gilbert has truly made the most of her student experience while at Illinois. From her involvement in Epsilon Delta and Student Alumni Ambassadors to doing a pandemic-shortened study abroad semester in Spain, she's explored many opportunities to learn where her true passions lie. Now, she waits to hear back about her Fulbright Scholarship application—staying true to continuing to learn about herself, the world, and how to provide equitable education to her future students.

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  Ian Copple | Loving the 'ah-ha!' Moments

  Dec 1, 2021 3:00 pm114 views

  When Ian Copple came to the University of Illinois, he knew he loved math. It took until his junior year to realize he also loved sharing his understanding with others. That's when he transferred into the Secondary Education minor program.

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  Alexis Frieman | Nothin' But Love for Education

  Jan 18, 2022 3:00 pm486 views

  When asked about what she enjoys most about the College of Education, Alexis' reply: the building, the courses, the people, what's not to love?!

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  Yudany Diaz | Everyone is Worthy of a Good Education

  Jan 26, 2022 3:00 pm77 views

  Yudany is a freshman in the College's Secondary Education minor program. Her major is History, and she's also double-minoring in Spanish. But Yudany's end goal is a becoming a school administrator, where she can affect change and progress on educational systems and help all students feel safe and be supported. 

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  Ivy Moore | Engaged In Her Community

  Feb 3, 2022 3:00 pm81 views

  "What I love about campus is that there is always something new to try."

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  Kenna Ashton | Inspired to Have a Positive Impact on Students

  Apr 5, 2022 3:00 pm49 views

  "I love how close the College of Education is and how much support is provided for students."

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  Jaclyn Wittrock | Helping All Young Minds Grow

  Apr 12, 2022 3:00 pm75 views

  "I love learning how young minds develop and better ways to teach every kind of learner!"

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  Jerny Walls | Interested in How Disparities Impact the Lives of Students and Teachers

  May 2, 2022 3:00 pm145 views

  "I love how supportive my classmates are, they really have helped me stay motivated during my college career."

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  Amy Heinrichs | A Non-Traditional Journey To Finding Her Passion

  Sep 8, 2022 3:00 pm317 views

  "After working with children in many aspects I realized this was my passion and wanted to do."

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  Lauren "Cal" Callahan | "We Teach Them and They Teach Us."

  Sep 15, 2022 4:00 pm89 views

  "We Teach Them and They Teach Us."

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  Shelby Oertel | A Passion for Adult Learning

  Sep 22, 2022 4:00 pm232 views

  "I have a passion for adult learning."

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  Abby Lynch | "Equitable Opportunities Begin in Schools"

  Sep 29, 2022 4:00 pm134 views

  "I want to be involved in shaping the youth, and I believe education is more than just standards and schooling."

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  Ryan Eleveld | Making School Feel Like Home

  Oct 6, 2022 4:00 pm277 views

  Ryan Eleveld has a passion for science and teaching. The senior Specialized Chemistry major and Secondary Education minor can't wait to get into the classroom. Learn more about Ryan in this week's student spotlight.

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  Audrey Wong | "I want to be one of those teachers."

  Oct 13, 2022 4:00 pm112 views

  Audrey Wong is passionate about two things: biology and teaching. She decided to be a teacher after being inspired by her own high school teachers. Now at Illinois, Audrey is involved in research and has her sights set on bringing her love for biology to a new generation of students.

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  Xosa Cox | "It has always been a dream of mine to support others and understand cultures on a global scale."

  Oct 27, 2022 4:00 pm93 views

  Xosa Cox, a Learning and Education Studies Major from Chicago Heights, IL is our Student Spotlight this week.

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  Jasmine Castillo | "Everyone has a voice, and as a teacher I will encourage each student to use theirs."

  Nov 3, 2022 4:00 pm237 views

  Jasmine Castillo, a History major with Secondary Education and Spanish minors, Illinois is our student spotlight this week.

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  Audrey Kermgard | Educators Shape Worldviews and Values

  Nov 9, 2022 1:15 pm143 views

  Audrey Kermgard is our featured undergraduate student in this week's student spotlight.

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  Grace Schlichter | Helping People & Inspiring Students

  Nov 9, 2022 1:15 pm246 views

  Grace Schlichter is our featured undergraduate student in this week's student spotlight.

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  Sydney Stephens | "Teachers are the foundation for everything."

  Jan 19, 2023 4:00 pm363 views

  Sydney Stephens is a junior Elementary Education major and student-athlete on the Illinois Soccer team.

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  Anisa Chatman | Creating Positive Change

  Jan 31, 2023 2:30 pm56 views

  Anisa Chatman is a sophomore Learning and Education Studies major.

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  Cyrus Murray | Changing Lanes

  Jan 31, 2023 2:30 pm143 views

  Cyrus Murray is a junior English major, minoring in Secondary Education minor. 

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  Kate & Meghan McCurdy | Born to Teach

  Apr 10, 2023 3:15 pm10 views

  Kate and Meghan McCurdy are both Middle Grades Education majors with concentrations in mathematics from Orland Park, IL.

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  Jill Kartsounes | Being a Leader

  Sep 5, 2023 11:45 am82 views

  For Jill Kartsounes, being the leader came naturally. As a child, she always wanted to be the one in charge. The feeling of leading made her dream of her future classroom and career as a teacher. Now she's here at the College of Education, working to become an elementary teacher. 

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  Emily Crosswell | A Future Serving Students and Her Country

  Sep 12, 2023 11:45 am144 views

  Emily Crosswell is involved all over campus and Central Illinois. The sophomore from Watseka teaches with IGlobal, has studied abroad, and spends some time with the Illinois Army National Guard. She's taking her life experience and passion for people into her future classroom. Read more about Emily in this week's Student Spotlight.

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  Adhwita Gopi Selvan | Building the Next Generation of Critical Thinkers

  Jun 10, 2024 11:30 am34 views

  Adhwita Gopi Selvan took a leap. She decided to leave her home on the East Coast and come to Illinois to be part of the very first cohort of Computer Science + Education students at the University of Illinois. Adhwita has long been interested in Educational Technology, even starting her own non-profit to help students become interested and successful in STEM. We talked to her about her first year in the program, what she liked about her first year at Illinois, and her goals for the rest of her academic career in CS + Ed.

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  Morgan McCammon | Make the Most of Where You Are

  Nov 12, 2024 10:30 am154 views

  Morgan McCammon was ready to be a star on the basketball court. But after she became disabled, she wondered if her dream might be out of reach. However, she got involved with wheelchair basketball, which allowed her to continue to pursue that dream, which led her to the University of Illinois, where she's not only pursuing the dream of playing basketball at a high level but also her goal of becoming a teacher who inspires students to never give up on what they want to do. We talked to the senior Elementary Education major about her experience at Illinois.