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Northern Illinois University

College of Education

NIU Core Values

  • Engaged learning that builds upon and thereby celebrates the synergy of teaching and scholarship;
  • Scholarly conversations about ideas, artistic expression, and the pursuit of new knowledge;
  • The active pursuit of scholarship and artistic expression that prizes both individual achievement and collective endeavor;
  • A commitment to engagement and public purpose that simultaneously embraces local needs and global opportunities;
  • A diverse community of people, ideas, and scholarly and artistic specializations.

Conceptual Framework

NIU’s Teacher Education Program is informed by the central tenets of the university’s mission as shown in the graphic below.

Conceptual Framework

The NIU community of Learners builds on knowledge, practice, and reflection to produce Exemplary Educators. The Community encompasses scholars, education professionals, and preservice teachers in an interaction that develops the strengths that embody excellence in education. These strengths include creative and critical thinking, scholarship and care. Application of these strengths emerges through the collaborative efforts of diverse community which supports lifelong learning.