UIS teacher education program offers several strengths

The following is an excerpt from a column by University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Susan Koch. This column appeared in The State Journal-Register on Saturday, October 8, 2016.

"The hours may be long, the salary modest and the “customers” sometimes challenging, but according to the National Center for Education Statistics, earning a bachelor’s degree in education and becoming a teacher is still among the top choices made by college students in the U.S. today.

Every year, nearly 200,000 candidates graduate from teacher preparation programs across the country, each of whom aspires to help young minds grow and reach their full potential. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, there are 77 approved teacher education institutions in Illinois. 

The University of Illinois Springfield is one of them, and Dr. Cindy Wilson, chair of the Teacher Education Department, is enthusiastic about recent growth of the program. “Students are attracted to the UIS teacher education program for several reasons,” she says. “We take a team approach to supporting our students, providing individualized attention beginning when students declare their major and continuing through their student-teaching experience and job placement.”

According to Dr. Wilson, students who enroll in teacher education come from many walks of life, with about 30 percent being non-traditional aged. It’s not unusual for a teacher education student to have already earned a bachelor’s degree in some other area or to have had a career in another profession.

For such students, a post-bachelor’s teacher licensure program is available, offering credit for prior educational experience while at the same time providing the necessary sequence of courses needed to acquire a teaching license for Illinois.

The introductory sequence is offered both on campus and online, further enabling working adults to participate.

Dr. Hanfu Mi, UIS dean of Education and Human Services, is particularly proud of UIS students’ performance on the edTPA exam, an assessment used to verify an aspiring teacher’s readiness to succeed in the classroom that is required for teacher licensure. “UIS students consistently score well above the state’s average,” he reports, “with 100 percent of UIS students who attempted the exam passing it last year.” 

“We currently have more than 50 agreements with local school districts that provide opportunities for our students to observe and participate in hands-on experiences, including student-teaching,” says Mi. “Area superintendents speak highly of UIS graduates.”

Read the entire column online.

Wronfully convicted aren't getting compensated

Prisoners who are exonerated in Illinois receive money from the state. But one organization says the state's current budget situation isn't living up to the promise.

Faith Hook knew she always wanted to be a lawyer. "While I was taking this class I was like I want to get more involved, I love this." But after taking one unique class at the University of Illinois Springfield that dream became evident.

"So I started volunteering there and eventually interned and now I'm working part time," said Hook. Hook got involved in the Illinois Innocence Project.

Her favorite part is helping those wrongfully convicted walk out free.

"I was personally able to see Christopher Abernathy walk out and Teshome Campbell I'm just being there was very emotional."

But when they do go free they leave out with much of nothing. The state is required to compensate them but the state budget has limited that process.

They say that about 6 exonerees haven't seen a penny in two years.

"Illinois does have compensation but it's very minimal and maxes out at 220,000," said Lauren Myerscough-Mueller. 

There are efforts to change that in the state.

The innocence project wants to make sure those free get what they deserve.

The project reviews more than 300 requests for help from Illinois inmates each year. Undergraduates at UIS, and law students from the state's three public law schools, work alongside attorneys.

This story appeared on WCIA-TV on October 10, 2016.

Watch the report online.

Women's Golf - UIS' Matsen gets record-setting win in golf event

University of Illinois Springfield senior Jocelyn Matsen set a women's school record for lowest 36-hole score as she won the Maryville Fall Invitational on Sunday at Annbriar Golf Club.

Matsen, a Rochester High School graduate, opened with a 2-under-par 70 on Saturday and followed with a 73 on Sunday.

Her 1-under 143 total broke the UIS record by three strokes.

Matsen, who finished five strokes ahead of Southern Indiana's Taylor Howerton, gained her first career victory for the Prairie Stars.

UIS finished third in the team standings with a 622, just two shots behind first-place Southern Indiana and one behind runner-up Lindenwood.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on October 10, 2016.

Read the entire article online.