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Theory and Practice Blog

Dr. Paula Hooper Featured on NPR

August 16, 2023

Dr. Paula Hooper, Assistant Professor of Instruction for MSED, was featured on WBEZ Chicago's NPR segment Reset. She was asked to weigh in on summer learning loss, also known as "summer slide."

Period Positivity Statement

May 24, 2023

Alumna Erin Swank (M.S. Ed, Class of 2021) created this Period Positivity Statement to display in her classroom. Please feel free to download this and hang it in your classroom! Posted in celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day.

School Safety Panel: Learn How Teachers Can Build a Culture of Safety

May 10, 2023

On May 4th, 2023, the Master of Science in Education Program held a panel discussion about violence prevention in schools. Three panelists from local school districts spoke about their approaches to safety and supporting students during and after crises. The panelists included Jadine Chou, Chief of Safety and Security for Chicago Public Schools, Mary Kalou, Assistant Superintendent for Maine Township School District, and Angelica Schab, Director of Family Services for East Maine School District. The conversation was moderated by Dr. Timothy Dohrer, Director of Teacher Leadership and former principal.

Designing a Middle School Classroom

March 15, 2023

Claire Koster (Alumna, B.S. Ed., Class of 2022) writes about how she designed her 7th Grade ELA classroom. Posted in celebration of Middle Level Education Month, 2023.

A Gaggle of Geese: A Guide to Gallant Leaders

February 20, 2023

While leadership posters often boast a majestic picture of the bald eagle, the type of leadership that is more successful is not the watchful eye of a solitary eagle, rather the community of a gaggle of geese. Ironically, although many school mascots are an eagle, the type of school leadership that is truly effective has the spirit of a flock of flying geese.

SEL is Critical for Success, So Why Are We So Critical About It?

February 7, 2023

The fact is that social emotional awareness and competence is not simply an inherent trait. It is knowledge that needs to be taught, acquired, and practiced to achieve success not only on an academic and professional basis, but also in our personal relationships. How can we expect students to learn to manage their emotions, be emotionally intelligent, and problem solve in an appropriate manner when we are not explicitly teaching these skills as a collective community?