Leslie A. Sassone

Professor Emerita, Foundations of Education

Department

Learning Innovation, Leadership and Technology

Research

My research explores philosophy as education, with particular attention to how pedagogical practices shape the development of individuals and communities. Drawing on the work of Friedrich Nietzsche, Paulo Freire, Neil Postman and Ivan Illich, I examine the philosophical foundations of teaching, learning and educational reform.

More recently, intrigued by John Carmichael’s conference presentation on Juggling for Life, my scholarship has focused on the relationship between embodied learning and social-emotional development through a collaborative project in elementary education. Working with classroom teachers, I have investigated how learning to juggle can support social-emotional learning (SEL), classroom community building, self-awareness, perseverance, interpersonal communication and responsible decision-making.

In addition to linking experiential learning practices to Illinois K–12 SEL standards I researched broader questions about how educational experiences foster personal growth, well-being and meaningful engagement with others.

Honors Faculty Fellow (2021-2022)

As an Honors Faculty Fellow, Professor Sassone taught a seminar on Philosophy of Education in fall 2021 in the University Honors Program. The Honors Faculty Fellowship program identifies faculty eager to teach innovative, exciting seminars of interest to highly-motivated students from across the university.

Education

• Ph.D. Purdue Universty, West Lafayette, Educational Studies
• M.S. Ed. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Communication and Speech Education
• B.S. Westfield State College, Media Systems and Management

Selected Publications

• Sassone, Leslie A. (2007). “Meaning Beyond Words.” Thresholds in Education, 32 (2 +3), 52-54.
• Sassone, Leslie A. (2002) The Process of Becoming: A democratic Nietzschean Philosophical Pedagogy for Individualization. Discovery Association Publishing House, Chicago, IL. ISBN: 1-931967-03-2.

Awards

University Honors Great Professor Award recipient (2018). This annual, university-wide award recognizes NIU faculty and staff for their leadership, dedication and service to the University Honors Program.