Assistant Professor
Northern Illinois University
Leadership, Educational Psych. & Foundations
Graham Hall 412
DeKalb, IL 60115
ctaines@niu.edu
(815) 753-5921
Dr. Taines is a sociologist of education with a broad interest in the areas of urban education and students' school experiences. She is interested in how educational institutions shape students' attitudes, social and academic experiences, and opportunities. She is particularly fascinated by the reverse of this relationship, in which students interpret, critique, and contest school practices they consider to be detrimental to their success or well-being; and whether students' actions might positively influence the social structures of schooling. Her research focuses on students' perspectives of schooling, youth activism for school reform, and community-school connections.