Teachers' Lounge: Recent Episodes
Northern Public Radio
Host Peter Medlin connects with teachers, students and leaders in education as they discuss the biggest issues impacting classrooms.We want to hear your experiences as an educator. Send us a note to teacherslounge@niu.edu.Click here to subscribe to our Newsletter!
On a new Teachers' Lounge, a social studies teacher who’s also an elected school board member talks about why you should pay attention to your local school board.
A Rock Valley English professor helping his students get registered to VOTE…and answer questions for students who have never voted before…“One of my favorite questions. Was, it was actually a student in my class, and she said, Okay, so I show up at a community center or a church and like, what happens?”We’re putting the COMMUNITY in community college on a new Teachers' Lounge.
A music teacher puts a soundtrack to climate anxiety…with classical music…“If I'm going to continue spending hours each day practicing music from the past, then I also need to find a way to bring that to bear when coping with the present.”Composing the Climate…hear the music and conversation on Teachers’ Lounge.
"I don't need a student to like my class. I know that I've done my job when a student says, 'Oh my gosh, I can't drive my car without thinking about physics anymore!' or 'I'm always seeing physics through everything, and it's driving me crazy!'"We’re headed to the lab on a new Teachers' Lounge podcast.
Middle school can be an awkward time…let alone middle school P.E. class…so any breakthrough is a big deal!“I love those moments. I even go and have those personal conversations with those kids, like, ‘hey, it was awesome to see you out and moving today. This was probably the best day ever,’ and then they sit there and smile,” she said. “They take that home with them.”Get your gym shoes on for a new Teachers' Lounge out now here on WNIJ.org or wherever you get podcasts.
On a SPECIAL episode of TL, our education show turns 5 YEARS OLD and we’re celebrating by revisiting some of our favorite moments over the years.Join us for a “Best of” Teachers’ Lounge out now on WNIJ.org or wherever you get podcasts.
Kathy started her teaching career in 1965 and…to say they threw her right into the deep end…oof."When I started teaching, as a teacher, you were extremely isolated," she said. "You were closed in this room with them. In my second year of teaching, I had 50 3rd graders!"We talk about how in the world you teach that many kids at once, how she evolved as a teacher as she got older and adapted to new teaching styles and technology. We hear some of her favorite stories from over the years and much more.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast -- we all want to eat good food and we all want to live in a beautiful home. So, when you teach Food and interior design like Katey -- it’s not that hard to make the lessons feel relevant.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, Tracey teaches agriculture, woodworking, welding, horticulture and sometimes she needs to learn yet another skill to help one of her students, like building guitars."He literally starts laughing. He goes, either you're the best teacher ever, or you have no idea what you're doing! I'm just chuckling. I have a kid who has this need, I can reach the kids need by learning this new skill. I'm going to learn this new skill."Building her students’ confidence…and whatever else they want to build. It’s on a new Teachers' Lounge.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, the professor who penned “Modern Motherhood: An American History." We also talk about her work to empower women at every stage of their career.
it’s time for a geography class. Well, HUMAN GEOGRAPHY -- which teaches the WHY of WHERE. My chat with a 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year Finalist.
We interviewed the same teacher every single month during the school year to give you an honest look at the hard work that goes into teaching every day.
In our student correspondent segment, we follow a group of students in a club, sport, or activity throughout their entire season -- the highs and lows and the friends they make along the way.
On a bonus episode, WNIJ' Maria Gardner-Lara's conversation with a Palestinian graduate student in the College of Education at NIU.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, Professor Joe Flynn doesn’t want to teach future educators how to teach nouns and verbs.“I want to teach people about what is behind all of that," he said. "I want to teach people about what's the functioning and purpose of education in and of itself.”Teaching as a tool for profound growth -- or oppression. It’s on a new Teachers' Lounge.
On a new Teachers' Lounge podcast, an agriculture teacher talks about food, farms, and her family of students.
On a new Teachers' Lounge podcast, an agriculture teacher talks about food, farms, and her family of students.
This week, it’s the 2nd and final part of our conversation with Northern Illinois University Distinguished Teaching Professor, Dr. Gulsat Aygen. Dr. Aygen is a world-renowned Linguistics teacher, author, and translator.
On a new TL Podcast, world-renowned linguist, NIU professor, andformer political prisoner — Dr. Gulsat Aygen.“How did I end up being more human than I ever was, despite all the torture and dehumanizing circumstances I was in, I always think about this.”Listen to part 1 of our conversation about her life AND the ultimate goal of education. That’s on a new TL out now on WNIJ.org or wherever you get podcasts.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, we're heading to Peter's alma mater to talk with the founder of an award-winning program for first-generation college students.
On a new Teachers' Lounge podcast, Rockford’s Lathrop Elementary School Principal Daniela Boer!Daniela has had a fascinating career. She’s from Brazil, came to northern Illinois as an exchange student in high school, went back home, taught in Brazil, lived in Mexico, and, eventually, returned to the U.S. to teach in Rockford.
On a brand-new Teachers' Lounge Podcast, get your dancing shoes on because we're talking with dance teachers from Vargo's Dance in Geneva, Illinois!
What are the most important education issues of the year? WNIJ's Peter Medlin and NIU's Jason Klein share everything you need to know.
This week, we're revisiting our 2022 conversation with Dr. Kathleen “Kadi” Billman. This is an episode unlike we’ve ever had. We’re diving into some heavy, emotional topics today. Until her retirement during the pandemic, Dr. Billman was a professor of pastoral ministry, pastoral theology and director of the Master of Divinity program at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Billman also taught a class called “Caring for the dying and bereaved."
Paraprofessional. Teachers' aide. Instructional Aid. The other teacher who comes in to help. Whatever you might know them as — paraprofessionals can be the glue that keeps classrooms together.
Before 2024, we revisit a few of the education stories from Teachers’ Lounge that stuck out to us this year. Some of them are very serious, some are uplifting or even fun — but they’re all important.
A look back at some of our favorite Teachers' Lounge conversations in 2023. If you've never heard our show — think of this as a great holiday sampler!
Everybody needs a coach…including teachers.“We can spend entire careers standing by ourselves in a room full of students with nobody to bounce ideas off — and that's a shame.”How an instructional coach helps teachers help their students.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge, it’s a unique burden and responsibility to be the only Black teacher at your school.“I take it so seriously, because a lot of times this is a child's first interaction with an African American person, or at least a positive role model, unlike a stereotype which they may have seen in a movie or something. It's nerve-racking,” said Mira.Hear that conversation and much more on a new Teachers' Lounge.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, Susan’s been teaching 2nd grade for a long time and the technology changed so much. But, sometimes you still have to go old school -- literally.
This week, we’re chatting with Michelle Roberts! She teaches deaf and hard of hearing students at Community High School District 155 in Crystal Lake. She’s an adapted Physical Education teacher, helping make games and sports accessible for students with disabilities.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast -- there’s something about learning in the great outdoors that makes school so much more exciting! We’re talking to a STEAM teacher with a passion for outdoor education. Listen now!
We're revisiting our 2021 conversation with comic book artist and art teacher extraordinaire: Marcel Walker!
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, it’s not often 17 and 70-year-old students share the same classroom. But that’s every day in this adult education class. Learn more about adult education and English language learning!
This week, we’re bringing you two conversations about the state of early childhood services and why the system is on the verge of collapse.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, Biology Professor Dr. Sheela Vemu says "not only is science for everyone, understanding and appreciating science is something that everyone can do.”
on a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast -- Jill teaches deaf students and is a sign language interpreter for swimming meets, dog obedience, and karate classes! Hear how Jill supports her hard of hearing students.
This week, Laurie Pillen! She just retired a few weeks ago after nearly 40 years as a counselor at Rochelle Township High School. We talked about how she never knew what issue or question a student was going to come into her office with -- and how that kept the job really fresh for decades. She also shared some advice for anyone at a career crossroads.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge, Eugene’s journey to become a teacher was not an easy one. Hear a special education teacher’s story from growing up in poverty in the Philippines to advocating for his students in Illinois.
In honor of her retirement from teaching, we're revisiting Peter's 2021 interview with...his mom!
Every month on the Teachers' Lounge radio show, we catch up with high school teacher Erik Czerwin. Hear all of those segment in order and follow Erik's journey from August through May right here on the Teachers' Lounge podcast.
On a new episode, we caught up with high school seniors about how COVID impacted their experience & our student correspondents make their podcast debut!
On a new Teachers' Lounge, we talk about what makes religious schools unique and a very quirky and admittedly a bit odd tradition they have at Aquin.
We’re bringing you a LIVE episode of Teachers’ Lounge featuring an audience Q&A! This time, we recorded in Springfield, Illinois at the Illinois News Broadcasters Association’s spring conference.
This week, we’re talking with Mendota High School civics teacher Jason Artman!Jason played a key role in Mendota joining the Democracy Schools network last year and we talk about what emphasizing democracy across a whole school really looks like.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, A LIVE conversation at Beloit College with Wayne Au. He was this year’s Weissberg Chair in Human Rights and Social Justice at Beloit. Hear the live conversation and audience Q&A!
We revisit our 2021 chat with Jeff Pitner. He’s a psychology teacher and esports coach at Guilford High School in Rockford. We talked about building that community and how his psychology classes have evolved as he’s learned about restorative justice.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, we enter a math escape room with 5th grade teacher Dominique Yackley! She's a finalist for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.
"If you're working with clay, some people may think 'oh, this is just a teapot.' That teapot can be a lot more. There can be a lot of other issues spinning around up there."
On this week’s Teachers' Lounge, it’s time to ready your arguments and prepare to perform. We’re talking with English teacher and Forensics coach, Greg Solomon.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast -- we’re diving into the top education issues you need to know about in 2023. Everything from mental health to school board battles and student-led classrooms.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast -- we’re live from an ACTUAL teachers’ lounge at North Grove Elementary School talking to teachers about how the pandemic has changed them.We recorded these conversations on video, as well, so you can go over to our WNIJ Facebook and Instagram RIGHT NOW and check those out. You can watch the full interviews on our WNIJ YouTube channel
On a new Teachers' Lounge podcast, a school librarian on media literacy, technology, censorship and more.
As we wind down 2022, we take a look back at three of our favorite conversations with educators this year.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, Rheon is an educator who writes children’s books based on his experience as a school counselor. But those social emotional lessons? They’re not just for kids! We talk about his Dizz Wizz book series AND how writing books about fathers and sons has changed him as a father.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge, David Gray! He’s a social studies teacher at Logan Jr. High in Princeton, Illinois.
One-room schoolhouses, coal mines, watermelon seed spitting contests, and a traveling bookmobile. That’s all on a new Teachers’ Lounge!
Chicago assistant principal Charles Williams jumps into Teachers' Lounge to talk about how he's trying to change how people think about education. We also get seasonally scary with his show Spooky School Stories!
LIGHT Education Initiative founder Nick Haberman joins the show. LIGHT is meant to be a movement to empower students to become leaders in their own community in Holocaust, genocide & human rights education. Remember these tragedies and try to advocate for real change in their schools and beyond.
We're diving deep into the Teachers' Lounge archive to bring you a globe-trotting chat with bilingual education professor James Cohen!
We're diving deep into the Teachers' Lounge archive to bring you a globe-trotting chat with bilingual education professor James Cohen!
We’ve talked with students before, we’ve talked with teachers, we’ve talked with teachers who just finished their student teaching -- but never any students still in the midst of their classes on how to become a teacher.
We’ve talked with students before, we’ve talked with teachers, we’ve talked with teachers who just finished their student teaching -- but never any students still in the midst of their classes on how to become a teacher.
"Adults, people with families, people with jobs: lifelong learning happens well beyond this discrete moment in your life when you're 18-20 years old. And people can reap the benefits of continuing education and furthering their certifications and degrees and experiences for their entire lives," Illinois Valley Community College instructor Delores Robinson.
WNIJ's Peter Medlin takes a trip back to his hometown to talk to a P.E. teacher who he helped teach with nearly 10 years ago.
“One of the questions I learned to ask early in my career as an educator is, was my experience, maybe not everybody's experience, or was it?"
We're reflecting on speeches from the Class of 2020 as we near the 4th school year impacted by the pandemic.
“I was really terrified this year, this was my first year to put it where you say you got it,” she said. “I don't know for sure that meaningful, relational, creative learning yields test results. I know that people of my belief in academia say that. I know there's a lot of literature that says that, but you don't know you’re going to get that.”
Rachel joins Teachers' Lounge after a busy few months between getting a Master’s Degree, securing her first full-time teaching job, and finishing up student teaching AT HER OLD HIGH SCHOOL!
Our classroom correspondent tells the story of his school year – a year in the life of a teacher -- the ups and downs, holidays, tests, all of it. It's a month-by-month trip through the 2021-22 school year.
"When I started teaching, as a teacher, you were extremely isolated. You were closed in this room with them. In my second year of teaching, I had 50 3rd graders!"
Destiny Hudson was in 5th grade when COVID-19 shut down schools back in 2020. Now, she’s finishing up 7th Grade. Devin Snow was a sophomore when it all went down and now he’s graduating high school. They’ve both been through this weird learning experience, but at very different points in their education journey.
The 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year joins Teachers' Lounge to talk about what it means to her, being a small-town educator, teaching new languages, and much more!
We revisit our conversation with the teacher, author and creator of the class-sourced novel: Jay Rehak!
We revisit our conversation with the teacher, author and creator of the class-sourced novel: Jay Rehak!
University of Illinois music professor Lamont Holden AKA producer TheLetterLBeats talks about crafting the school's new fight song and forging new traditions.
"I remember telling my high school pastor that I thought about being a pastor. I'll never forget his response, actually. He told me, 'Well, I've only known two women in my life who I thought could do this work.' And he said 'You might go from a funeral in the morning to a youth group party in the evening and most women can't navigate those emotional changes.' I looked up to him, he was the pastor. But I should have said, 'That's the biggest bunch of BS I've ever heard!'"
In an episode unlike any we've had before, Dr. Kadi Billman tells us about teaching her class "Caring for the dying and bereaved" at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
Kevin Beverley is a retired teacher -- and current substitute teacher! We talk a lot about what it’s like as a sub during the pandemic. Unfortunately for weary listeners, no substitute host.
Mark Klaisner tells us how the teacher shortage became personal for many families this year.
Peter and English teacher Erik Czerwin discuss some of the biggest issues in education this year
High school physics & Earth science teacher Sam Watt gives us the lowdown on how to teach STEM labs remotely when you just have a few springs, tubes, and pencils!
Special Education teacher Jessica Sperry gives us an education on what it's like teaching special needs students...during a pandemic!
As we wind down 2021, we take a look back at three of our favorite conversations with educators this year.
As we wind down 2021, we take a look back at three of our favorite conversations with educators this year.
Two science teachers talk trying to conduct science labs remotely and not knowing if your students were paying attention or there at all!
Learn about Joel's journey through addiction, abuse and prison to becoming a renowned counselor and educator.
West Chicago High School English teacher Brian Turnbaugh talks about how he's grown as an educator through the pandemic and his podcast WeGo Places that highlights his former students who went on to do great things.
Psychology teacher and eSports coach Jeff Pitner returns to talk video games, Critical Race Theory, and how COVID-19 has affected how his students interact with each other and his class.
Psychology teacher and eSports coach Jeff Pitner returns to talk video games, Critical Race Theory, and how COVID-19 has affected how his students interact with each other and his class.
Guilford High School psychology teacher Jeff Pitner joins the show to talk about how COVID-19 has changed the social dynamics of his classroom and the top-tier eSports team he coaches.
Peter talks his mom into joining the podcast to discuss her 17 years as a teacher and what it's like completely changing careers in your 40s.
Educator and author of books like "The Brown Teacher's Guide To Education" joins Teachers' Lounge to talk self-love, pandemic teaching and engaging with your creativity.
Education during COVID-19 has been really hard. But it's been uniquely challenging for our youngest students. Hear firsthand how teachers tried to get them the help they need in a year when it was the hardest to do that.
On a new Teachers' Lounge, we talk to a professor about teaching people in prison about psychology and childhood trauma and why she's leading a new bachelor's degree program at Big Muddy Correctional Center.
DeKalb elementary school principal Rheon Gibson enters Teachers' Lounge to talk about his children's book series 'Dizz Wizz' and starting as a principal during COVID.
Retired NIU counseling professor Scott Wickman sits down with Peter to talk about what it takes to help people process trauma and why he's trying to train the squirrels in his backyard.
Students and teachers just finished a school year like no other. Join us for a conversation about the unique challenges and successes of the COVID school year on a special Teachers’ Lounge LIVE. Host Peter Medlin talks to Sycamore Superintendent Steve Wilder, Byron High School teacher Mike McHale and DeKalb High School senior Brayten Wilkerson.
Today on the show we have a school social worker -- Silvia Hudzik! She’s a social worker for middle school students at Rockford Public Schools, she’s had the chance to talk to dozens and dozens of students online and in-person throughout COVID.
Today on the show we have not just a teacher, but a teacher of teachers! Dr. Laurie Elish-Piper is the Dean of the College of Education at Northern Illinois University. We talked about what drives her to want to help mold the next generation of teachers, how today’s aspiring teachers are different than 10 years ago, her career-spanning literacy work and how COVID-19 has changed how student teachers prepare to go into the classroom.
On a new episode of Teachers’ Lounge: Marcel Walker! He’s a comic book artist and art teacher extraordinaire. Marcel helped create the educational comic series “CHUTZ-POW! Superheroes of the Holocaust” with the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh and works with “ToonSeum" -- a museum of comics and cartoons.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge, Dr. Laurie Cooper Stoll: sociology professor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She’s also an author who studies social inequalities, gendered violence and fat studies -- which is primarily what we talked about on this episode. She also has a website and blog she runs with a colleague, Dr. Darci Thoune, called “Two Fat Professors” where they fight fatphobia with education, community building and, as they say, a LOT of sass.
On a new episode of Teachers' Lounge, Lissette Jacobson and Maurice McDavid! They’re elementary school principals in West Chicago and the hosts of the podcast “Black, Brown & Bilingüe”! They talked to Peter about the mission of their show – uniting the Black and Brown communities with conversations & education. We covered identity and intersectionality and what it means in education, Illinois’ culturally responsive teaching standards that Maurice helped write, the non-profits they’re both starting on top of everything else and so much more!
On a new Teachers’ Lounge, we have an entire family of teachers --the Goekes! Karl, Stacy and Rachel join Peter to talk about their experiences as educators going through the pandemic. We talked about how in-person school “normalcy” isn’t really that normal at all.
On a new episode of Teachers' Lounge: Jackie Cleven! She’s a second-grade teacher at South Prairie Elementary in Sycamore and teaches at Kishwaukee College. Longtime Teachers’ Lounge fans may remember Jackie as the first guest who was ever on this show. She shared a personal essay about how she feels at the end of the school year. Host Peter Medlin always felt a little bad because she’s our only guest who was never actually interviewed -- so we wanted to fix that, more than a year-and-a-half and 40+ episodes later.
On a new episode of Teachers' Lounge: Mary Beth Cunat! She’s the principal at Spectrum Progressive School in Rockford. Talking to Mary Beth is like taking a free master’s degree class in education. We went in-depth about what it means to be a “progressive school,” her lengthy career in education including her time at Chicago Public Schools, teaching working with her family at Spectrum as well as her love of animals (specifically we both love otters and talk about that for a while. Don’t miss it!)
On a new episode of Teachers' Lounge: Shelly Tranchita! She’s a physical education teacher at Sycamore High School. We talked about how physical health is a vehicle for mental health, and how she focuses on mind and body wellness in her classes. With the trauma her students have endured during the pandemic, she’s started teaching about meditation along with the physical fitness. We also talk about what a virtual or socially-distant P.E. class even looks like. Hint: lots of masks and open windows for air circulation, even during the winter!
On a new episode of Teachers' Lounge: Exploring the top education issues to watch in 2021 with Rockford teacher Erik Czerwin.
This Week: Another edition of Student Teachers’ Lounge! Host Peter Medlin talked to Taylor Leach, who has experienced the pandemic as both a student and as a teacher. She just graduated with a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University and finished up student teaching at Kingston Elementary School in Genoa, Illinois.
On a special Christmas Day edition of Teachers’ Lounge: Rod Genandt. He’s been teaching 4th grade at Forreston Grade School for over 40 years in his hometown of Forreston, Illinois. He’s taught kids, he’s taught the kids of those kids and maybe even the kids of those kids before all is said and done.
On a new episode of Teachers' Lounge: Mike McHale. He’s a professor at Rockford University and a math and physics teacher at Byron High School. Mike is also a cross country coach and we talk about running during the COVID-19 season. He and host Peter Medlin chat about the potential closure of the Byron Nuclear Generating Station and the effect it could have on the school, community -- and his own personal connection to the plant. And they talk about Mike’s music hobby and a music video he helped make for students when schools closed in the spring.
On a new episode of Teachers' Lounge: Lynne Ravas. She’s a recently retired English teacher who taught across the country. Lynne also has family -- including her father -- who survived the Holocaust. For decades, Lynne has worked with organizations to educate people of all ages and pass down the stories of survivors, especially as survivors themselves have passed away.
This week’s episode is with Katrina Syrris. She leads a double life. By day, Katrina is a high school theater teacher at St. Edward Central Catholic. By night and weekends, she owns and operates Goodly Creatures -- her theater production company.
This week, an election-focused episode with Dr. Christina Rivers, associate professor of political science at DePaul University. She studies voting rights, African American politics and she’s taught several inside-out classes at the Stateville Correctional Center with students on the inside and DePaul students.
Join host Peter Medlin for a discussion on how different school re-opening plans are playing out throughout northern Illinois. Hear from parents and teachers about the challenges of incorporating different learning options during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our guest this episode is Judith Meyer, she’s an artist -- a painter, to be exact -- and art professor at Rock Valley College.
On a new episode of Teachers’ Lounge, we have Jason Cavanaugh. He’s a high school math teacher and baseball coach in Sycamore.
We’ve got a special episode this week. Remember a few months back when we heard from those valedictorians about what it was like graduating in the strangest senior year ever? And remember when we heard from some parent surveys about the challenges of learning from home a few episodes ago?
On a new Teachers’ Lounge episode we have Deb Baird. She has ran her own at-home daycare business since 1984.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge episode we have Molly Lilja, principal at Manchester Elementary School in Poplar Grove.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge, host Peter Medlin talks with Northern Illinois University’s Dr. Lara Crowley. She’s the chair of the English department at NIU.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge, host Peter Medlin sat down digitally with Ayla Peczkowski. She taught English & Special Ed at the Roosevelt Community Education Center in Rockford. Now she’s going to be in an administrative role at East High School, also in Rockford.
On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, host Peter Medlin had a long chat with Huntley Middle School Principal Amonaquenette Parker.
This is a special episode of the show we’re calling “Dear Class of 2020…” The teachers are gone. This week it’s all about the students graduating after the strangest senior year ever. You’re going to hear four valedictorians give the speeches they would have given, in a normal year, to an auditorium full of their friends and family.
This week, we have our first ever returning guest on Teachers’ Lounge: Maurice McDavid. He’s been a teacher and administrator in his hometown of DeKalb for about a decade, but, starting next year, he’s going to be an elementary school principal in West Chicago.
Editor’s Note: WNIJ and our podcast Teachers’ Lounge are giving a platform for you to hear some of valedictorian speeches students may not get to give in person this year. It’s called “Dear Class of 2020...” If you want your school to be a part of our special edition show, send us an email at teacherslounge@niu.edu. And thanks!
On a new Teachers’ Lounge, seventh grade language arts teacher Justin Saichek AKA The Last Wordbender. Justin is a rapper and spoken word artist who teaches at West Middle School in Rockford.
On a new episode of Teachers’ Lounge, roots musician, jazz guitarist & music teacher: Jim Kanas. He’s retiring from DeKalb Public Schools this year and has been an artist-in-residence with the Illinois Arts Council at schools across the state.
This week, the Teachers’ Lounge is actually a Student Teachers’ Lounge. We have DeKalb Founders Elementary student teacher & Northern Illinois University senior, Evadne Bowlin.
On this week’s show: John Zuber. He talked with host Peter Medlin about teaching in the time of coronavirus. John is particularly fascinated by how it’s impacted his relationships with his students. He thinks so far doing classes online from his couch while traversing technical difficulties has made them more casual and maybe more personable.
On this week’s show: Jay Rehak. He’s an author and Chicago Public Schools language arts teacher. He and his classes at Whitney Young High School are the co-writers of over a dozen student-sourced novels.
On this week’s show: James Cohen. He’s an associate professor of ESL & bilingual education at Northern Illinois University. He’s also a former Fulbright Scholar who has lived in several different countries across the world and most recently taught in Uruguay.
On a new Teachers' Lounge: Trudy DesLauriers. She's a reading specialist at Morris Elementary School who has taught for over 30 years. She also has two golden retriever therapy dogs, Martha and Thelma Lou, who come in to help struggling readers. Once a month, a group of other therapy dogs from greyhounds to goldendoodles join them for their "Sit! Stay! Read!" event.
On this week’s podcast: Maggie Kasicki talks to host Peter Medlin. She teaches English as a Second Language at Rockford University. She also volunteers at schools across Rockford teaching cross-cultural education. They also talked a lot about her traveling, but specifically about how she travels culturally. There's no Holiday Inn, no continental breakfast. Maggie gets straight-up embedded.
Erik Czerwin, language arts & literature teacher at Rockford's Guilford High School, sits down with host Peter Medlin for a wide-ranging discussion of the top education issues of 2019 and what they'll be looking at in 2020.
Rockford's West Middle School principal Maurice Davis sits down with host Peter Medlin on a new episode of Teachers’ Lounge!
This week, a really special episode we've been excited about for a while. It’s a conversation with Dick Hart. He’s an 89-year-old retired choral teacher at Downers Grove North High School. He also played trombone in the Army band when he served during Korean War. Dick talked to Peter about all of that, his motto "music is life" and so much more.
This week on Teachers’ Lounge, Illinois High School Baseball Hall of Fame Coach, Neal Bertram! He’s been a coach and P.E. teacher at Rockford Lutheran for over 30 years. He talked to Peter about the joy of watching his kids gain confidence, the huge impact his P.E. teacher and basketball coach had on him, and baseball as an allegory for life.
This week on Teachers’ Lounge, we take a look at the science behind brewing with DeKalb High School biology teacher, Steve Byers. He’s also the owner and brewmaster behind the new Byers Brewing Company in downtown DeKalb. Byers talked with Peter about how he got started brewing in college trying to recreate his favorite discontinued beers. They also discuss how he manages running a small business, being a full-time teacher, oh, and he has a new baby!
This week, a conversation with Lissette Jacobson about growing up the daughter of Mexican immigrants, social justice, using football to bond with boys in her school and what it takes to be a successful administrator. She is the new principal of Pioneer Elementary School in West Chicago.
Rich Egger, news director at Tri States Public Radio in Macomb, joins us for a special edition episode of Teachers’ Lounge. Public radio stations across the state collaborated on our “Enrollment Exodus” series chronicling enrollment challenges facing Illinois colleges and universities, especially since the 2015-2017 state budget impasse. I talked to Egger about how enrollment decline at Western Illinois University didn’t just hurt the school, it hurt the whole region.
Since returning to DeKalb a decade ago, Maurice McDavid has held many titles. Some call him their teacher, others call him their preacher. To some of his elementary school students, he even goes by his hip-hop moniker, Mr. McDizzle. But above all of that, he's trying to be an advocate in the town he was raised in.
A mother and daughter, they both teach kindergarten at the same school. They come from a long line of teachers in their family. And this year, the next generation is putting on her backpack to share those same halls as she goes into kindergarten herself.
She works with teenagers and young adult students with autism. She also happens to be a comedy writer. And she moonlights on top of that as an indie musician. She says her work has been described as a "girls' night out with Kacey Musgraves and Alison Krauss." On this episode of Teachers' Lounge we talked to Cora Vasseur about how all of that happened, and how her art influences her work with special needs students -- and vice versa.
Teachers’ Lounge is a new podcast from WNIJ telling the stories of education in Illinois with the help of stories from Illinois educators. Join reporter Peter Medlin every other Friday (payday!) for a new episode.
Beginning August 2nd, WNIJ launches a new podcast called Teachers' Lounge on WNIJ telling the stories of education in Illinois with the help of stories from Illinois educators. Join reporter Peter Medlin every other Friday (payday!) for a new episode.