Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Meet our Dean

In honor of Teacher Appreciation week, we are spotlighting the educational journey of some NLU faces! First up is none other than our National College of Education (NCE) Dean, Carolyn Theard-Griggs.

How did Dr. Theard-Griggs get to where she is today as Dean of NCE?  

Well, she actually began pursuing a pre-med biology degree as an undergraduate student National Louis University. At that time, the National College of Education was promoting a volunteer opportunity for first-year students, which caught Dr. Theard-Griggs’ eye. She began working with elementary students in a classroom. Working in that capacity with students was a game changer for the Dean and she changed her major to Elementary Education.

“What I find most rewarding about working in education is having the privilege of leading the learning journey of students and knowing that I will have a long-term impact on their lives is incredibly rewarding. I also love getting periodic updates from students I taught in the past who continue to keep in touch.”

As far as major highlights from her career, Carolyn feels that her current role as Dean of NCE is her biggest success. “It’s a full-circle moment for me given that my origins and my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction is from NLU. I am honored to be a part of and lead such an amazing organization committed to preparing the next generation of educators.”

As an alum and now a Dean at NLU, Carolyn considers NLU the best place to earn an education degree because of the committed instructors who are invested in the success of their students. “We are a team of educators with experience in PK-22 school settings who are aware of the need for educators and the need to support them on their professional educator journey.” She believes NLU sticks out because the instructors get to know their students personally and professionally in order to support their goals.

Currently, Carolyn is excited about the required program alignment of culturally relevant teaching and leading standards to educator preparation curricula. “I think it’s a step in the right direction. These standards hold institutes of higher education accountable for preparing educators effectively. I am passionate about this work and excited about identifying ways to recruit a more diverse population of educators.”

What advice does Dr. Theard-Griggs have for educators? She suggests engaging in a commitment to self-care and joining communities of support. “Teaching is challenging and oftentimes an undervalued profession. Teacher support, collaboration, and collegiality is critical for the long term success of teachers.”

Outside of her career, Dr. Theard-Griggs enjoys going to CrossFit classes and challenging herself with exercises. She also loves traveling and spending time with her four children.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Interested in becoming a teacher? You can view NLU’s educational programs here. We also invite you to contact an Enrollment Specialist online or call (888) 658-8632 to discuss your personal and professional goals.