Reflections from An Alumna; What if NIU’s Huskies Win The Orange Bowl Today?

By My Web Writers

NIU Plays in the New Years Day 2013 Orange Bowl 

I’ll be there in section 112 row 18.

I’m a little full of myself- Row 18 and all.

Really, I’d like to think of row 18 symbolizing what NIU alumni are feeling- maybe even what the whole student body is experiencing- validation.

My Journey to NIU

My older sister went to Northwestern.  She met her husband there, fell in love, and got married.  The next brother was sent to Bradley, another private, Illinois school.  As the youngest of four, my fate was altered by their degrees.  Dad determined that a private school education was no better than a public university’s education and that the later was much better for his retirement.  The school in DeKalb, IL looked good to him.

My parents drove me to Northern Illinois University where I met with Dr. Arthur Doederlein.  He was NIU’s undergrad, COMS department coordinator.  We met and he waived me into some junior level courses as a freshman, so that I was able to fit in all of my teaching degree’s requirements, as well as pursue a career in media.  I was off to Illinois’ second largest, public university- an economical choice.

In class, Dr. Doederlein once said, “You kids are the ones who didn’t have the grades for U of I and most you grew up in working class families.”  One shoe didn’t fit us all, however that shoe fit many.

NIU at the Orange Bowl is Victory for the Underrated

But the university has evolved.  As I wind down my time at Miami Beach’s Fountaine Bleau, I’ve noticed fans cheering “Go Huskies!”  Strangers high-five strangers in the Miami sun. Frigid Northerners nod at each other in the elevators.  It’s an unusual camaraderie for what was once Chicagoland’s suitcase school.

I’m not sure if the students playing in today’s Orange Bowl realize the depth of what they’re doing for the university.  Playing at the Orange Bowl is a victory for underdogs here, there, and everywhere.  And, imagine if they win, today.  Oh, how sweet that’ll taste.  The Herbstreits in our lives will have to bite their toe nails.  We are just as smart and capable- no matter what the field and we’re in your face.  It’s a new era for the university and the alumni are in. Here’s to Huskie Pride renewed!

In the wee hours of the 2013 New Year, I met a NIU grad who was a tight end in the seventies.  He pulled out his photos and proudly showed the day he cracked someone’s ribs. “Now, I’m just a bum working in a factory making $15 per hour, but I was the baddest bad ass on the NIU football field back then.”   Today’s football team inspires the old timers – anything is possible.  You don’t have to be stuck in life.  You CAN make a new name for yourself – a new year for yourself.

NIU’s Social Media Team Rises to the National Challenge

My former mentors in NIU’s media services department have been assigned a big task.  They are social media messaging about Northern’s increase in donations, applicants, and spirit wear.  They’ve adjusted to 24 hour coverage by the national press.  Brad Hoey, Jay Orbik, and Holly Nicholson are just a few of these new media enthusiasts who energize an entire team devoted to monitoring Facebook and Twitter.  Messages forward to their phones and they are handling the numerous public appearances.  No one wants to blink as they ride this wave to new highs.  The retiring NIU president, Dr. John G. Peters, whom I’ve now seen at least a half dozen events this week, has brilliantly guided the university through this era.  He just keeps going.  Morning and evening he’s mingling with people.  He’s chosen good people to drive the various departments of the NIU bus as he quietly works the rooms and media behind the scenes.  Not only does the football team deserve to be here.  The entire NIU team is posed for sweet success.

Here’s to Miami’s Orange Bowl

Miami, you are a welcoming and generous host city.  While walking on the beach, Seminole fans have approached us wanting to know more.  Of course Florida thinks it’ll win, but those welcome billboards at the entrances to the city are signs of a great host.

But, it’s NIU’s time.  We can feel it.

We’re basking in the thaw of 20 degree temps.  Let’s make New Years in Miami a tradition!  ~Jean

 

Update: Just back from the game where the Florida State Seminoles beat the NIU Huskies 31 to 10.  Ah, well.  Our team heads back to the pound with a bone to gnaw.  Hold your heads high, players.  This season brought the school together and it sure was fun!  Governor Quinn of Illinois even declared the day, Northern Illinois University Huskie Day. 

Content for Educators- What Parents Really Want to Read on Your School Website

by My Web Writers

Creating a class website is a fantastic way to keep teachers, students, and parents on the same page. Using sites such as WordPress,  Google Sites, and Weebly, you can craft your site for free. Many educators do not have training in web design, but these sites are fairly easy to create and maintain. By simplifying the process and streamlining the content, your website will be a tool students and their parents can use to keep at the top of the class.

Divide Content into Clear Categories

Busy parents won’t want to spend a lot of time looking for information on your webpage. Make sure your content is divided into clear categories. Have different sections for assignments, field trips, extra resources, grades, or fun stuff. Make sure your sections make sense for your class or school. You know how you organize your curriculum and using your webpage to mirror your class will help make the webpage easily navigable. Make sure your design is consistent across sections. Picking a basic template or a color scheme and sticking with it across all your categories will help make your site look more professional and appealing.

Stick to a Schedule

Posting new information on a regular schedule will help parents and students know when to check your site and help keep your work efficient. For example, post assignments for the week on Sunday nights and supplemental resources or fun posts on Thursday afternoons, allowing your class to get a jump on the weekend. Pick a schedule that fits your class and stick to it. Make sure parents know the schedule.  Establish regular patterns of classroom use for the resources your site provides.

 Include Photo Slideshows for Easier Viewing

You can make a slideshow at Photosnack.com for free and post it on your webpage. There are plenty of styles, so you can choose one that works seamlessly with your site design. If your students are minors, make sure that it’s okay with parents that you post pictures. A simple permission form at the beginning of the year should be sufficient. Also, best practice is to refrain from posting photos of individual children or including their last names.

 Organize Volunteers

Especially in an elementary school, the need for parent volunteers can fluctuate over the course of the year. Set up a section of your school or class website where you post dates, times, and events for which you need parent volunteers. Using your website to organize volunteers can take a lot of the stress out of scheduling, which means more involvement and enjoyment for busy parents and less hassle for teachers.

 Digitize the Class Newspaper

If your students write a weekly or monthly newspaper for their parents, post the newspaper as a PDF online instead of or in addition to photocopying it. So many newspapers have digital editions now, your students will feel like real journalists, and parents will be able to keep up with the current events more easily.

Archive Course Materials

Regular use of the class website can help make your job easier in years to come. At the end of the year, move old content to an archive section. Clean out the clutter, but retain important posts such as your syllabus, schedule, assignment sheets, additional resources, and photos. In the future, you’ll be able to easily look back at old materials for ideas or reference and parents of students in your current class will also be able to get an idea of what a year in your room looks like.

Your school or class website should give your class planning and participation a boost, not drain on your time and energy. A clear site design and regular posting gets your site off on the right start, but remember to keep your personality. Parents don’t just want to know what their kids are learning; they want to know you too!

~Kasey