blog posts

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  Gwen Cox | Fueling the Next Generation

  Feb 11, 2021 3:00 pm81 views

  It's easier than ever for our vision to be fogged when thinking about future plans in a time of such unpredictability. Freshman Gwen Cox understands that the importance of education is one constant she can count on. "The next generation of students have a big impact on our future, and to have to opportunity to fuel them to have big goals and inspire them to keep learning would be an amazing experience," she says.

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  Grace Seiffert | A Home Away From Home

  Dec 5, 2019 9:45 am488 views

  Special Education sophomore Grace Seiffert has always had a passion and talent for working with children; so naturally, pursuing education was the next step. While on campus and away from family, Grace says the College of Education has really become her home away from home. 

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  Grace Schlichter | Helping People & Inspiring Students

  Nov 9, 2022 1:15 pm242 views

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

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  Grace McCoy| Just The Beginning

  Oct 29, 2020 3:00 pm159 views

  Freshman Grace McCoy is starting her college journey under unusual circumstances, but that's not stopping her ambition, optimism, and drive! Grace has always seen the value in education, and through the support of the College of Education community, she is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Grace says, "Any job in this profession would be rewarding and would keep me on my toes, so that I continue to feel that I am doing something worthwhile for my students."

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  Genesis Rivera | "The Key To Our Liberation"

  Jan 28, 2021 3:00 pm214 views

  Freshman Genesis Rivera experienced her formative years at a low-income Black and Brown elementary school in Chicago. From a young age, she noticed her peers lose their passion for education after experiencing the traumas of family and friends falling victim to gun violence and incarceration. Genesis is determined to break this vicious cycle with the best tool she knows — teaching. "I want to be able to tell my students that education and knowledge is powerful." She says, "It’s the key to our liberation and will help us give back to our communities. My students will not be another statistic."

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  Erin Molay | Ready To Explore

  Mar 24, 2021 3:00 pm207 views

  Erin Molay is determined to give her future students the most authentic and enriching experience a classroom can offer. That's why after she has completed her studies as an Elementary Education major and Psychology minor, Erin plans to travel the world and explore the cultures and communities abroad. When asked about her time with the College of Education, Erin said, "I love the close-knit community atmosphere!"

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  Erin Dickett | Valuing Students' Unfiltered Cultural Perspectives

  Nov 2, 2021 9:00 am130 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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  Emily Manzo | "Thrive in Your Chosen Path"

  Feb 18, 2021 3:00 pm143 views

  Halfway through her junior year, Emily Manzo has already taught and studied abroad in Costa Rica, conducted research under three professors, and led discussions in EDUC 101, all while working toward her degree in Learning and Education Studies-Educational Equality Cultural Understanding, and minoring in Spanish and Latinx Studies. Having savored all of these experiences and more, Emily misses her time with friends at La Casa Cultural the most from her pre-pandemic days on campus.

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  Emily Crosswell | A Future Serving Students and Her Country

  Sep 12, 2023 11:45 am132 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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  Ellen Reckamp | A Semester Abroad

  Sep 26, 2019 10:45 am103 views

  Ellen Reckamp just started her junior year as an English major, Secondary Education minor. She always knew she wanted a career that worked hands-on with other people, and with education she could really help students grow and feel empowered.

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  Diamond Dadej | Honor the Past, Better the Future

  Sep 3, 2020 12:00 pm807 views

  Senior and history/secondary education major Diamond Dadej is teaching us a lot more than history in this week’s blog. Read on for a lesson in learning from those around you, pride in where you come from, determination in where you are going, and one very important reminder to carry with you throughout the semester;
  “Nothing is impossible for an Illini.”

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  Devon Jackson | A Future In ESL

  Oct 3, 2019 1:45 pm143 views

  After graduating in 2021 from Middle Grades Education with a minor in Literacy and ESL, Devon aspires to pursue a career as an on-set teacher in the entertainment industry.

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  David Pollak | With Teaching in His Blood

  Mar 28, 2019 10:15 am397 views

  Senior Elementary Education major David Pollak can't remember a time growing up where he didn't want to be a teacher. With an entire family made up almost exclusively of educators, he's convinced it was always in his blood. 

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  David McCormack | "Everyone Has Dignity"

  Apr 29, 2021 3:00 pm193 views

  Senior David McCormack has enjoyed his time on campus with involvement in Best Buddies, the Newman Center, and intramural sports. Most of all, he cherishes his experiences in his chosen field of Special Education. He recalls the beginnings of his affinity for special education back in high school, "I decided that I'd want to follow this passion and start to devote my life to it." Now, David is looking forward to starting his professional career as a Special Educator in a classroom of his own at Lincoln Jr. High this fall.

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  Danté Studamire | Here to Support First-year Students

  Sep 8, 2021 3:00 pm144 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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  Danielle Golob | A Passion For SPED

  Nov 21, 2019 3:30 pm453 views

  Following in her mother's footsteps, Special Education senior Danielle Golob wanted to pursue education as early as second grade. She says that getting to experience education both from her own schooling and through her mother's eyes provided her with a different perspective, solidifying her passion for education. After graduation, Danielle hopes to teach special education. 

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  Cyrus Murray | Changing Lanes

  Jan 31, 2023 2:30 pm107 views

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

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  Claudia Kobylarczyk | Paying it Forward

  Sep 24, 2020 10:00 am138 views

  Senior Claudia Koblarczyk fell in love with education through her experience as a tutor. Her adoration of literature, passion as a mentor, and guidance from educators and peers has set her on the path to success. Now, she's paying it forward with plans to return to her alma mater, Reavis High School, as an English Teacher.

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  Claire Follis | Fighting Education Inequality

  Mar 5, 2020 4:15 pm198 views

  Learning & Education Studies major Claire Follis is passionate about education inequality. She believes that a child's quality of education should not be dependant on the zip code they live in. That defining principle is what motivates her in both her research and professional work. 

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  Candace Hsu | Born To Teach

  Feb 21, 2019 12:15 pm157 views

  Candace knew her purpose in life was to be a teacher from the age of seven. As a senior majoring in elementary education and minoring in speech and hearing science, she loves connecting what she learns from one field of study to another. She hopes to create a future classroom in which her students can walk in with a smile and leave feeling encouraged and empowered.

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

  Oct 13, 2022 4:00 pm100 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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  Audrey Kermgard | Educators Shape Worldviews and Values

  Nov 9, 2022 1:15 pm111 views

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

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  Aranza Rico | Kindness Counts

  Nov 5, 2020 3:00 pm75 views

  Junior Aranza Rico is feeling the love from the College of Education family. These days are hard for us all, and kindness can go a long way. Aranza says the staff is "Very helpful and friendly. They care about students' mental health, especially during these times." The university has a number of mental health opportunities and resources available to those in need. 

   

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  Anisa Chatman | Creating Positive Change

  Jan 31, 2023 2:30 pm52 views

  Anisa Chatman is a sophomore Learning and Education Studies major.

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  Ana Garcia | Teaching to Fulfill Part of Her Purpose

  Sep 29, 2021 3:00 pm101 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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  Amy Heinrichs | A Non-Traditional Journey To Finding Her Passion

  Sep 8, 2022 3:00 pm269 views

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

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  Amanda Navarro | Education is Powerful

  Feb 6, 2020 4:30 pm126 views

  Middle Grades Education junior, Amanda Navarro knows that education has the power to change the world— and that's why she's here.

  "Since I was younger, it was the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to give back, whether it was through my community or surrounding ones, but I knew I wanted to do it through education."

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  Allie Gilbert | Realizing Her Passion for Equitable Education

  Nov 9, 2021 3:00 pm132 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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  Alexis Frieman | Nothin' But Love for Education

  Jan 18, 2022 3:00 pm382 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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  Abby Lynch | "Equitable Opportunities Begin in Schools"

  Sep 29, 2022 4:00 pm126 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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  Abby Dizon | Determined to Inspire

  Feb 4, 2021 3:00 pm77 views

  Senior Abby Dizon misses the warm, positive energy of the College of Education building most of all in these strange times. The positivity from her peers and instructors of present, all the way back to Kindergarten, have influenced her personally and professionally. When asked about her aspirations to teach in Chicago Public Schools as a Golden Apple Scholar, she replied, "I am determined to inspire students and provide them with a reason to be their best self every single day."