Teachers' Lounge

On a new Teachers' Lounge podcast, an agriculture teacher talks about food, farms, and her family of students.

This week, it’s the 2nd and final part of our conversation with Northern Illinois University Distinguished Teaching Professor, Dr. Gulsat Aygen. Dr. Aygen is a world-renowned Linguistics teacher, author, and translator.

On a new TL Podcast, world-renowned linguist, NIU professor, andformer political prisoner — Dr. Gulsat Aygen.“How did I end up being more human than I ever was, despite all the torture and dehumanizing circumstances I was in, I always think about this.”Listen to part 1 of our conversation about her life AND the ultimate goal of education. That’s on a new TL out now on WNIJ.org or wherever you get podcasts.

On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, we're heading to Peter's alma mater to talk with the founder of an award-winning program for first-generation college students.

On a new Teachers' Lounge podcast, Rockford’s Lathrop Elementary School Principal Daniela Boer!Daniela has had a fascinating career. She’s from Brazil, came to northern Illinois as an exchange student in high school, went back home, taught in Brazil, lived in Mexico, and, eventually, returned to the U.S. to teach in Rockford.

On a brand-new Teachers' Lounge Podcast, get your dancing shoes on because we're talking with dance teachers from Vargo's Dance in Geneva, Illinois!

What are the most important education issues of the year? WNIJ's Peter Medlin and NIU's Jason Klein share everything you need to know.

This week, we're revisiting our 2022 conversation with Dr. Kathleen “Kadi” Billman. This is an episode unlike we’ve ever had. We’re diving into some heavy, emotional topics today. Until her retirement during the pandemic, Dr. Billman was a professor of pastoral ministry, pastoral theology and director of the Master of Divinity program at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Billman also taught a class called “Caring for the dying and bereaved."

Paraprofessional. Teachers' aide. Instructional Aid. The other teacher who comes in to help. Whatever you might know them as — paraprofessionals can be the glue that keeps classrooms together.

Before 2024, we revisit a few of the education stories from Teachers’ Lounge that stuck out to us this year. Some of them are very serious, some are uplifting or even fun — but they’re all important.

A look back at some of our favorite Teachers' Lounge conversations in 2023. If you've never heard our show — think of this as a great holiday sampler!

Everybody needs a coach…including teachers.“We can spend entire careers standing by ourselves in a room full of students with nobody to bounce ideas off — and that's a shame.”How an instructional coach helps teachers help their students.

On a new Teachers’ Lounge, it’s a unique burden and responsibility to be the only Black teacher at your school.“I take it so seriously, because a lot of times this is a child's first interaction with an African American person, or at least a positive role model, unlike a stereotype which they may have seen in a movie or something. It's nerve-racking,” said Mira.Hear that conversation and much more on a new Teachers' Lounge.

On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, Susan’s been teaching 2nd grade for a long time and the technology changed so much. But, sometimes you still have to go old school -- literally.

This week, we’re chatting with Michelle Roberts! She teaches deaf and hard of hearing students at Community High School District 155 in Crystal Lake. She’s an adapted Physical Education teacher, helping make games and sports accessible for students with disabilities.

On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast -- there’s something about learning in the great outdoors that makes school so much more exciting! We’re talking to a STEAM teacher with a passion for outdoor education. Listen now!

We're revisiting our 2021 conversation with comic book artist and art teacher extraordinaire: Marcel Walker!

On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, it’s not often 17 and 70-year-old students share the same classroom. But that’s every day in this adult education class. Learn more about adult education and English language learning!

This week, we’re bringing you two conversations about the state of early childhood services and why the system is on the verge of collapse.

On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, Biology Professor Dr. Sheela Vemu says "not only is science for everyone, understanding and appreciating science is something that everyone can do.”