ISU is the largest preparer of teachers in Illinois. More than one in seven public school teachers in the state is a graduate. Redbirds are reaching thousands of students each year, from kindergarten through high school.

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Students gain an excellent education from teachers trained at Illinois State. They learned during their collegiate years to embrace diversity, work with integrity, and teach with technology now common in classrooms.

“Teachers make a difference like few others,” said Director of Admissions Jeff Mavros, M.S. ’06, who knows the influence they have in opening for students the world of learning. Teachers also become mentors, empowering students to advance in the classroom as they gain skills for life.

Because of the close connection ISU’s education graduates have with students and families across the state, they are in a unique position to share their Redbird experience. Mavros is confident that by doing so, alumni educators can help Illinois State recruit.

ISU will face increasing enrollment challenges due to a shrinking demographic of high school students, the state’s financial issues, and the fact nearly half of Illinois high school graduates choose to study in other states.

Mavros realizes teachers have the opportunity to make students aware of what Illinois State can offer, which plants a seed of interest. Getting prospective students to consider the University is the first step toward enrollment.

Teachers who want to show their Redbird pride can receive a classroom pack from the University. It includes, as shown above, an ISU banner, pencils and a temporary Reggie Redbird tattoo for each student.

“We’re also asking teachers to wear ISU attire on Fridays, which is the day the campus community wears red to show Redbird pride,” said Mavros, who is offering an Illinois State T-shirt to the first 500 teachers who ask for the kit.

Go to https://forms.IllinoisState.edu/forms/classroom. Requests will be fulfilled starting in January.

5 thoughts on “Calling all teachers: Spread Redbird pride in your classrooms with ISU pack!

  1. Janelle says:

    This is an awesome idea! I love talking to my students about ISU and showing my Redbird pride. As a math teacher, this will be a much coveted pencil. I may even reserve a couple for students to borrow when they forget a writing utensil, which will certainly lead to it getting in the hands of many students! I missed this deadline, but I’m hoping to take advantage of this offer during the next financial year. I set an alert on my phone for July! Thank you.

  2. Jamie says:

    Were these already sent out?

    1. Dani Schroeder says:

      Hi Jamie — Due to an overwhelming number of requests, we’ve had to stagger delivery of these packs in order to fulfill them. We have begun the fulfillment process, but will be delivering them throughout the spring semester. Thanks for your inquiry!

      1. Cynthia Brown says:

        I’m still interested in receiving the classroom packet. Please keep me on your list.

  3. Dani Schroeder says:

    Hi Cynthia — if you submitted a request form, you will receive a pack. It may just take a bit longer for it to arrive at your classroom. We received an overwhelming number of requests, so we are working to fulfill those now! Thank you!