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College of Education renames department

June 4, 2014
Jennifer Berne

Jennifer Berne

The NIU College of Education’s Department of Literacy Education (LTCY) has been renamed the Department of Literacy and Elementary Education (LEED) effective immediately.

Jennifer Berne, who has chaired the department since coming to the university two year ago, said the new name better reflects the department’s scope of activity, which was expanded in a 2011 reorganization.

“Our largest program is elementary education, so it made sense to us to change the name to include it,” Berne said. “With this change, our name reflects all of our large programs.”

LEED faculty specialize in a variety of subject matter – reading, writing, multicultural and multilingual education, and children’s literature, as well as social studies and science education. All coursework promotes reflective inquiry, collaboration, interdisciplinary learning, partnerships and equitable education for all learners.

As a department, LEED faculty and staff are committed to preparing elementary teachers, reading specialists, teachers of English learners, college professors and policymakers to work in multicultural and multilingual contexts.

To accomplish this, the department offers a variety of strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs. These programs include a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, master’s degrees in teaching, reading, and ESL/bilingual instruction, as well as doctorates in literacy education and in curriculum and instruction (C&I).

For more information, call (815) 753-8556.