The College of Education (COE) at Illinois State University will induct eight alumni into its Hall of Fame. Another two will be recognized as Outstanding Young Alumni for their contributions to education. The following recipients and their dedication to their craft will be celebrated at the COE’s Alumni Award Ceremony in September.
Hall of Fame
Gerardo (Jerry) Barrio, ’98, M.S. ‘00 earned a bachelor’s degree in History Education and a master’s degree in Special Education from Illinois State. He received the ISBE 2024 Meritorious Teacher – Those Whose Excel Award and has also been nominated for Illinois Teacher of the Year twice. A four-time Golden Apple Award nominee, Barrio is passionate about supporting his students through long-lasting relationships and community building. He currently holds a Dual Language Social Studies teaching position at U-46 in Elgin, Illinois where he has supported bilingual, special education, and English Language Learners at both the elementary and secondary level for 24 years. Amidst his accolades and achievement, Barrio takes pride in his role as a mentor for his student body, serving as the sponsor of the future teacher’s club at Streamwood High School, supporting aspiring educators of diverse backgrounds to become successful and passionate contributors to their community.
Dr. John Bierbaum, ’05, M.S. ’09, Ed.D. ’19, earned a bachelor’s degree in social science education, a master’s degree in history, and a doctorate in teaching and learning all at Illinois State. He is National Board Certified Teacher. Bierbaum spent nearly two decades teaching at his alma mater, Normal West High School, serving as the Social Studies department chair since 2022. There, he prioritizes community building initiatives for student involvement and is known as the teacher who is always available for students and coworkers. After launching the Freshman Mentoring Program in 2006, he served the student body in creating the Not In Our School group to empower students to engage in positive social discourse, and captained the McLean County Diversity Project. Bierbaum received the Illinois Principals Association Teacher Recognition Award and the Heartland Community College Distinguished Alumni Award.
Dr. Tamera Foley, ’80, earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from Illinois State. She also earned a master’s degree in education and a doctorate degree in special education leadership. A recipient of the Golden Apple Award for Teacher Excellence and the Rockford NAACP branch’s Distinguished Educator Award, Foley’s 43-year educational career is defined by her passionate advocacy for special education and literacy through fostering collaborative school communities, as both a teacher and administrator. Until 2017 she was the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning at Clayton County Public Schools in Jonesboro, Georgia, promoting innovative methods for education equity. Foley implemented the School-Based Health Center which provides comprehensive and accessible healthcare to students who would otherwise go without, dramatically improving student attendance, concentration, and academic performance. Foley has since built her consultancy, Education 4 All Now, providing instructional materials and support to parents and educators looking to maximize student success.
Dr. Trudy Gross, ’92, earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from Illinois State. She also earned a master’s degree in educational administration and a doctorate degree in special education. She began her career in the classroom and has transitioned into administrative roles. Gross is the Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning at Fremont Union High School District in California, focusing her efforts on building students’ development and well-being. She was part of the Educational Options building’s development, which provides an apartment-like classroom for post-secondary program students to learn advanced life skills. Gross is currently establishing Wellness Centers on each of her district’s campuses to offer a safe, supportive environment with licensed professionals who provide social-emotional care. Gross received the Association of California School Administrators Student Services Administrator of the Year Award for Outstanding Achievement and Performance for seeing the importance of mental health and wellness to her district’s social and academic success.
Dr. Lindsey Jensen, ’20, received her doctorate in teaching and learning from Illinois State. She was named the 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year Award, and has since earned a Harvard certification in Family and Community Engagement, using her platform and experience to support the current and future educators across the state. After seeing the need for today’s students to recognize teaching as a rewarding career path, Jensen brought Educators Rising, an ISBE-approved Career and Technical Student Organization to Illinois, helping high school students build community with other aspiring educators. As the Educators Rising State Coordinator, she hosts the organization’s annual state conference at the ISU campus, building key connections between young educators. By leading the charge for paid student teaching through sharing her expert testimony with the Illinois Representative Assembly’s Higher Ed Committee, Jenson works to make the state’s field of education accessible for aspiring educators.
Dr. Dana Karraker, ’85, M.S. ’07, Ed.D. ’18, earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and her master’s and doctorate degrees in curriculum and instruction at Illinois State. As the Assistant Director of the Center for Integrated Professional Development at ISU, she is pivotal in shaping the educational best-practices for ISU faculty and surrounding school educators. In her role, Karraker developed and facilitated multi-day workshops with the Center for Civic Engagement to support ISU faculty redesigning their courses to include diversity, equity, inclusion, and civic engagement alongside numerous other professional development initiatives. She is a member of the Culturally Responsive Campus Committee and GROWTH Leadership Team with the Office of the Provost, as well as the faculty advisor for the Illinois Education Association Aspiring Educators. Karraker’s extensive work is a testament to her expertise and unwavering commitment to advancing quality education for faculty and students alike.
Dr. Tara Mathien, ’03, earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (ECE) at Illinois State. She also earned a master’s degree in child development and administration and a doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction leadership. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Unified Early Childhood Program Coordinator for the University of Florida’s College of Education. Mathien is committed to the advancement of educational paradigms, and as an action-oriented educator she works to foster interdisciplinary strategies and professional growth in the future teachers she mentors. Serving as the program advisor to early childhood organizations in Nepal and Switzerland, Mathien has national and international experience developing early learning programs and curriculum. Her research initiatives Florida Pay for Performance Funding and the PARTNER Project earned her the Teaching Excellence Fellow and International Educator of the Year Awards by the University of Florida for her work’s influence on educational policy and practice.
Dr. Diane Ryndak, ’74, earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from Illinois State. She also earned a master’s degree and a doctorate degree in special education. Ryndak is a professor at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. During her 50-year career in education, she has been a leading voice championing the rights of individuals with disabilities, advocating for the use of evidence-based practices to make general education accessible for students with severe and multiple disabilities, facilitating students with disabilities learning alongside their peers without disabilities. A recipient of the TASH Inclusive Education and the Distinguished Reviewer Awards, as well as the Special and Inclusive Education Research SIG Distinguished Researcher Award from the American Educational Research Association (AERA), Ryndak’s extensive published work and leadership have contributed substantially to the field of special education. Her work laid the foundation for contemporary special education methods, creating impactful, sustainable education reform with schools providing effective evidence-based instruction.
Outstanding Young Alumni
Dr. Cody Pullium, ’20, earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from Illinois State. In 2024 he earned a doctorate in educational leadership and policy. A recipient of the Illinois Principal Association Building Bridges, MCUSD #709 District Potters Hand, and Golden Apple Awards, Pullium’s commitment to educational excellence and meaningful student relationships has earned him substantial recognition. Cody is an assistant principal at Mossville Junior High and Elementary School. He began his career as a special education teacher where he used collaborative teaching methods to support students. He most recently was the associate principal at Parkside Junior High School where he led the development of strategic curriculum standards and strong community building initiatives for the success of his students. Pullium’s remarkable service to the field of education has made him a leading voice in the conversation of educator’s professional development and community engagement.
Brittany Wiggins, ’14, graduated from Illinois State with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Filling the roles of teacher, administrator, and instructional coach at Herzl Elementary School, Wiggins prioritizes a holistic approach to education, leading her school community through collaboration between students, families, and educators. She led professional development programs for teachers as a part of the school’s Instructional Leadership Team to increase student achievement. In her current role as Assistant Principal, she works to foster a school community committed to developing the whole child, and her relentless belief in her students’ abilities puts them on a pathway toward long-term success. Wiggins has since opened Herzl’s doors to ISU students participating in Chicago Teacher Education Pipeline (CTEP) program, hosting classes for students based in the city. Wiggins has also collaborated with program students and redesigned courses to have an applicable urban focus, serving future Chicago Public Schools teachers with her expertise.
