blog posts

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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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  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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  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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  Cyrus Murray | Changing Lanes

  Jan 31, 2023 2:30 pm106 views

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

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

  Dec 1, 2021 3:00 pm102 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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  Ana Garcia | Teaching to Fulfill Part of Her Purpose

  Sep 29, 2021 3:00 pm100 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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  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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  Katie Barr | IEA Student of the Year

  Apr 18, 2019 10:30 am96 views

  The Illinois Education Association has named the University of Illinois’ Katie Barr as Student of the Year. Barr is currently a junior in the College of Education, majoring in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in Literacy, ESL, and Spanish, while also pursuing a minor in Spanish.

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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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  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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  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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  Haley Allen | Learning Along The Way

  Oct 1, 2020 10:00 am79 views

  Despite all of her research, trainig and studies, senior Haley Allen still felt uneasy about taking over a classroom of her own. That is, until her mentors in the College of Education taught her a very valuable lesson; you will always be learning along the way. Haley says, "Because of my instructors, I now feel prepared for the many unknowns that come with teaching young children."

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  Abby Dizon | Determined to Inspire

  Feb 4, 2021 3:00 pm76 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."

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  Kerrigan Lane | Having Fun is Crucial to Learning

  Sep 21, 2021 3:00 pm75 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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  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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  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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  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. 

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  Jill Kartsounes | Being a Leader

  Sep 5, 2023 11:45 am67 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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  Ivy Moore | Engaged In Her Community

  Feb 3, 2022 3:00 pm59 views

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

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  Jacalyn Wingerter | Inspired by Educators

  Nov 12, 2020 3:00 pm58 views

  Everyone has a special educator that has inspired them in some way. Senior Jacalyn Wingerter draws inspiration from her English professor, Professor Pollock. She says, "He's the most enthusiastic English professor and really knows how to make any type of literature come to life!" Jacalyn hopes to bring the same enthusiasm to an English classroom of her own after graduating. This week, tell an educator in your life how they inspire you!

   

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

  Apr 1, 2021 3:00 pm55 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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  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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  Kay Tetlak | Connecting Students to Their Community

  Oct 28, 2021 9:00 am49 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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  Kenna Ashton | Inspired to Have a Positive Impact on Students

  Apr 5, 2022 3:00 pm46 views

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

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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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  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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  Jaclyn Wittrock | Helping All Young Minds Grow

  Apr 12, 2022 3:00 pm40 views

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

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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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  Kate & Meghan McCurdy | Born to Teach

  Apr 10, 2023 3:15 pm1 views

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