There are 24 Illinois colleges and universities, including the University of St. Francis (USF) that have volunteered for a pilot program to develop plans to recruit and retain future teachers of color. According to The Illinois State Board of Education (SBE), the pilot will help establish best practices ahead of ISBE requiring all 54 Illinois educator preparation programs to develop plans next year. “The diversity of Illinois is one of our state’s greatest strengths – including in our classrooms,” said Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. “By recruiting faculty of color who share their students’ lived experiences or expand their perspectives, our schools can empower more students to achieve their goals and pursue their passions. This pilot program is just the beginning of ISBE’s recruitment efforts, and I commend the leadership of the 24 colleges and universities who have volunteered to spearhead this initiative with us.” “I applaud the 24 colleges and universities that have volunteered to lead the way in breaking down barriers for people of color to join the teaching profession,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala. “All students, and especially students of color, benefit from having diverse educators throughout their school experiences. My own mentors in my career have been people of color like me. When the role models and people in positions of authority in our lives look like us, that shapes our perception of our place in the world in a positive and powerful way.”
teaching
OP-ED: Mills College in Oakland — Former Black Women’s Collective President Weighs in
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Let’s take a closer look at the current deal the administration has with Northeastern. It is truly nonsensical. First, it is troubling that the AAMC has yet to be presented with a strategic plan or detailed proposal for this “alliance” in practice. From what I gather, Northeastern is trying to absorb Mills. This is not a partnership or an alliance, but an acquisition that could lead to the dissolution of Mills in a very short time, similar to the situation with NCH, without any third-party oversight to hold NU to its end of the bargain.
Technological advances, a silver lining for schools
Throughout the nation and here at home, school districts had to turn to the virtual world to bring classrooms to students during the COVID pandemic that raged on for more than 15 months. That meant students had to log in to computers and iPads from home to receive lessons from their teachers. It took some time to get the technology working properly for most school districts and some did not do so well. Much of the success was tied to how advanced each district was technologically and, unfortunately, whether the students could afford the technology, which involved internet access and a device.
Digging deeper into Old Joliet Prison’s history
The Old Joliet Prison along Collins Street has an almost ominous presence and the history behind it is likely even more sinister.
More is likely to be revealed now that the City of Joliet has received notice of an award of a $35,000 grant from the National Park Service to prepare a National Register Historic District nomination for the Illinois State Penitentiary – Joliet (later renamed Joliet Correctional Center, commonly known as the “Old Joliet Prison”).
