Teaching & Learning News

Northern Arizona University is excited to announce a streamlined path to certification with our newly established Reading Specialist K–8 graduate certificate. This program equips educators with the advanced tools and knowledge necessary to diagnose and remediate reading difficulties in K–8 classrooms, implement school and district-wide reading programs, and earn the Arizona Department of Education’s Reading Specialist Endorsement. Whether pursued concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate, this 24-credit program offers a comprehensive and flexible path for… Read more

Lorie Lee never imagined she’d make it to university; she is now graduating with two degrees, having won the prestigious President’s Prize. A mother of three and non-traditional student, her inspiring tale begins earlier than her first day at NAU. As a child, Lee experienced poverty, a mother with substance abuse issues and a father unwilling to care for her. Through the support of her friends and teachers, Lee found a love and passion for education and excelled academically.… Read more

NAU Communications sat down with retired Col. Rebecca Seeger, a doctoral student in curriculum and instruction in the College of Education, a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and president of the Graduate Student Government, to get to know her on a more personal level. Read our questions and her answers below. Read more here from the NAU Review.

The need for strong teachers has never been greater, but the pathway to becoming a teacher doesn’t have to be the same for everyone.

Whitney Brandon teaches second grade at Westar Elementary School, but she has taken a different path than some of her peers. “So when I started the year (2019) I was a stay-at-home mom, the year my daughter started kindergarten. I got my sub certificate looking for something to do. I liked the flexibility of… Read more

NAU Communications sat down with Marti Canipe, an assistant professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning and recent competitor on “Jeopardy!,” to get to know her on a more personal level.  Read more here from The NAU Review.

Why do muffins rise in the oven? Marti Canipe, Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning was featured in last week’s NAU Review featuring her recent NSF award “to develop phenomenon-based science courses for elementary teachers”.  Congratulations Marti on your grant award and I know you and your Co-PI, Ron Gray will “contribute to the field’s understanding of how prospective elementary teachers develop deep science content knowledge.”… Read more

Jillian Hernández, COE graduate and a fifth-grade teacher at Puente de Hózhó Elementary School in Flagstaff Unified School District, centers inquiry and equity in her teaching and in her personal journey of learning and unlearning.

To view Jullian’s 5 minute IGNITE talk,… Read more

Northern Arizona University graduate Anna Barrett is the recipient of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award and will head to Asia for a year to further her education and immerse herself in South Korean culture.

Barrett majored in elementary education with additional majors in history and sociology. She also graduated with a Gold Axe Award, which recognizes students for their dedication and commitment to academics as well as service to the NAU campus… Read more

As a child, Guadalupe Hernandez had two dreams. “First, I wanted to be a pop star—so original, right? Second, I wanted to change the world. I didn’t know how, but I knew I wanted to help those who needed it.”

Though she was writing songs at the age of seven, and enjoyed singing and dancing in the girl group she created with her cousin… Read more