blog posts

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  Kevin Ho | Exploring Family History With Fulbright

  Apr 25, 2019 12:45 pm266 views

  Kevin Ho, an english major and secondary education minor will be headed to Vietnam this fall as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant.

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

  Sep 15, 2022 4:00 pm79 views

  "We Teach Them and They Teach Us."

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  Lesly Ortega | "Teaching is the only path for me"

  Apr 1, 2021 3:00 pm56 views

  Junior Lesly Ortega feels that the path to teaching is the only one for her, and has felt this way since childhood. As an English major and Secondary Education minor, Lesly has enjoyed her courses in and out of the College of Education, and looks forward to returning to her high school as an English teacher as soon as possible. When she's not in class or studying, Lesly enjoys checking out the local restaurants and greeting her peer's pets on the quad.

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  Lily Greenberg | Advocating for Marginalized Students

  Sep 16, 2021 3:00 pm72 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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  Lucille Luan | Miles Away, Always at Home

  Dec 3, 2020 3:00 pm195 views

  Senior Lucille Luan traveled far from her family in Cupertino, California to pursue an education at Illinois, but she's always at home with the College of Education. Lucille comes from a family of educators, and says "I was naturally drawn to the idea of becoming a teacher since my early exposure to family members who were teachers! My grandma, my dad, and my previous professors and teachers are all strong influences."

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  Madison Barrera | "Always Demonstrate Care"

  Feb 25, 2021 3:00 pm111 views

  Ever since she saw the increasing need for special education teachers firsthand in her Chicago high school, sophomore Madison Barrera has been a strong advocate for inclusivity in the education system. Through her studies as a Special Education major and Speech Language Pathology minor, Madison is practicing the belief that educators have the power to make lasting positive impacts on every student. She says, "Our job is to keep all of our students in our minds with every decision and always demonstrate care for our students’ success."

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  Marisol Jimenez | Outstanding Award For Outstanding Research

  May 9, 2019 11:00 am224 views

  Senior Learning & Education Studies Marisol Jimenez was awarded Oustanding Oral Presentation at the 2019 Illinois Undergraduate Research Symposium for her research on the reform acts in Chicago from 1980 to 2015 and their push for the standarization and accountability movement.

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  Matthew Sondag | Inspired To Change

  Feb 7, 2019 9:15 am201 views

  Junior Matthew Sondag's choice to pursue Early Childhood Education was inspired by the quote, "To see the change, you must create the change." His goal is to create a classroom that promotes acceptance, respect, kindness, and the love of learning. 

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  Melia Watson | Making the Classroom a Home

  Sep 10, 2020 12:00 pm42 views

  Junior Melia Watson explored many education paths before finding her calling in Special Education. The comfort and acceptance extended to Melia on her journey by the College of Education is something she will take with her to a future classroom of her own. For students who come from backgrounds with less opportunity, the classroom doubles as a place to call home. 

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  Mike Rotter | Illini 4000

  Sep 5, 2019 4:15 pm105 views

  Special Education Junior Mike Rotter spent his summer riding a bike across the country from New York City to San Francisco with the Illini 4000 team. Every summer the group sets out on their cross-country adventure to raise money for cancer research and support services.

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  Mike Rotter | Illini 4000 Ride in Honor of Dr. David Zola

  Apr 4, 2019 10:30 am133 views

  Special Education Sophomore Mike Rotter is gearing up for his second summer with the Illini 4000 group. This year, his 4000 mile ride is dedicated to his first and favorite college professor: Dr. David Zola. 

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  Morgan Murphy | A Childhood Dream Come True

  Sep 17, 2020 12:00 pm40 views

  Freshman Morgan Murphy has dreamed of being a teacher since childhood.

  "I love teaching children something new and exciting. Seeing their faces light up with knowledge gives me a sense of pride and happiness."

  Read more on Morgan's goals and aspirations at Illinois and beyond!

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  Nancy Lazaro | President of Golden Apple Illini

  Feb 28, 2019 12:45 pm142 views

  In middle school, Nancy had no idea what college was. But after one of her teachers inspired her to be an educator, she learned about Big Ten schools and Illinois.

  Today, Nancy is a Senior Golden Apple Scholar and president of Golden Apple Illini. She has also worked as a tutor with America Reads/America Counts.

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  Natalie O'Callaghan | An Advocate For Fellow Illini

  Mar 7, 2019 11:30 am294 views

  Elementary Education Senior, Natalie O'Callaghan has loved being part of the Illini family. One of the things that has made her Illinois experience memerable was getting involved with Illinois Student Government and the UC Campus Senate as the College of Education Student Senator. She considers herself lucky to have the opportunity to advocate for both Education students as well as University students as a whole. 

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  Nia Curtis | A Trip to South Africa

  Jan 24, 2019 10:30 am177 views

  Last summer, Elementary Education Junior Nia Curtis took an 18-hour flight out of the country for the first time. She met her mother, a high school English teacher and Fulbright Recipient, in South Africa. Over the summer they traveled to Botswana, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Zimbabwe.

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  Nia Curtis: The graduate

  May 10, 2020 7:00 pm245 views

  By now, every corner of our community has been touched by the coronavirus pandemic. As he will until the crisis subsides, Anthony Zilis spent an eighth week telling the stories of those affected. He recently spoke with Nia Curtis, Elementary Education major and soon-to-be graduate, in his 'Coronavirus and the Community' series.

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  Raina Kutliroff | Finding Your Path

  Aug 27, 2020 12:00 pm112 views

  When Raina started at Illinois, she thought her fun and creative spirit meant the arts was where she belonged. But she found herself missing something in her major, eventually realizing she could use her artistic skills as a full time educator, making the College of Education her new home. Raina’s story reminds us all that as we start a new school year, it's okay to not have it all figured out. Trust yourself on your journey, and everything will work out for the best! 

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  Rayna Zirkelbach | The Road Worth Taking

  Dec 10, 2020 3:00 pm43 views

  Transferring to a new school can be challenging, but for Rayna, the warm environment of the University of Illinois made the transition an easy one. Once Rayna was welcomed with open arms to campus, she soon found her place in the College of Education, but not how you might think. When asked about her decision to become an educator, she replied, "I didn’t know for a long time. On a whim I got a job at a daycare, and this is where I fell in love with education. I knew I wanted to do this as my career." Rayna's story is a great example that you don't have to have it all figured out right away. Sometimes the longer road is the one worth taking! 

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  RJ Schlesinger | Breaking the Mold

  Oct 8, 2020 10:00 am354 views

  Senior RJ Schlesinger's skills and interests are totally unique. At Illinois, RJ doesn't have to fit into one category-he can make his own! Through research, courses, and mentorship from his professors, RJ is taking all he has learned and sharing it by becoming an educator. RJ says "I want to teach! It’s equal parts exciting and terrifying, but I am up to the challenge!"

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  Ryan Eleveld | Making School Feel Like Home

  Oct 6, 2022 4:00 pm133 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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  Sam Fishman | Student Teaching

  Feb 14, 2019 2:15 pm235 views

  Special Education major, Sam Fishman is currently student teaching at Jefferson Middle School in Champaign. He says working with his 8th graders has been the highlight of his college career thus far. Sam is in a co-taught english and math period working with four students in a Tier 3 math intervention class.

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  Sara Striepling | Community, Opportunity, and Balance

  Mar 4, 2021 3:00 pm113 views

  Whether it's growing alongside her peers in her cohort, ushering a show at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, patronizing local businesses, or exploring her passion of special education, Sophomore Sara Striepling values the community she has found in Champaign-Urbana. Most of all, she appreciates the balanced life as a College of Education student, remarking "It's great to have the opportunities and experiences that come with going to a large university while still having small and personal classes." 

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  Sean Gardiner | Opened Eyes

  Oct 22, 2020 3:00 pm409 views

  Sean Gardiner, a Junior in English and Secondary Education, has learned so much on his undergraduate journey. His favorite lessons so far are the tough truths of the inequality in our education system. Sean says this of his Identity and Difference in Education class, "It truly opened my eyes to the imbalances in our education system and in our world today as a whole. I have recommended it to many of my friends, even those that are not in the College of Education."

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  Sharon Stagaman | Finding Her Niche

  Apr 22, 2021 3:00 pm117 views

  Graduation is just around the corner for Elementary English and Spanish major Sharon Stagaman. Since watching her father become an educator in her childhood, Sharon knew she wanted to follow in his footsteps one day. But carving your own path is no small task, and Sharon credits finding her niche in the education field to the diverse learning experiences at the College of Education. "I feel really prepared to graduate with experiences at different types of schools across grade levels, and I feel so lucky that these experiences started junior year to help me solidify that teaching is what I want to do."

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  Shelby Oertel | A Passion for Adult Learning

  Sep 22, 2022 4:00 pm219 views

  "I have a passion for adult learning."

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  Shelby Oertel | Goodbye, Comfort Zone

  Nov 19, 2020 3:00 pm160 views

  Freshman Shelby Oertel is stepping out of her comfort zone and into opportunity this year! There's a lot to take in at Illinois, and that's precisely why she's here. Shelby is looking forward to Illini basketball seasons and all the new friendships to come in the four years ahead of her. Most of all, Shelby is looking forward to gaining "The best perspective to further my professional development and allow me to help shift the workplace dynamic" through the College of Education.

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

  Jan 19, 2023 4:00 pm355 views

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

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  Xochitl Mondragon | Reflection and Gratitude

  May 6, 2021 3:00 pm141 views

  As the school year comes to a close, we reflect on our growth and look to the future. Elementary Education senior Xochitl Mondragon is taking this time of reflection to show her gratitude to the educators that got her where she is today. From formative years spent with outstanding grade school teachers, to the inspirational difference teachers made on her young niece, to the guidance and "pure heart" of professors in the College of Education, this Teacher Appreciation Week (and every week) we celebrate teachers. Now, as Xochtil says her goodbyes to Illinois, she prepares to join the ranks of impactful educators everywhere.

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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 pm84 views

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

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  Xue Yan Chen | Research Grant for Capstone Project

  Jan 31, 2019 12:15 pm108 views

  Learning and Education Studies Senior, Xue Yan Chen received a $1,050 Undergraduate Research Support grant for her capstone project. She is working to develop an interactive prototype application grounded in the keyword method and usability testing to access effectiveness on Spanish vocabulary recall and comprehension.

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  Yudany Diaz | Everyone is Worthy of a Good Education

  Jan 26, 2022 3:00 pm70 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.