School of Teaching and Learning’s Quackademics makes a splash in alumni classrooms

  • Author By Nikki Maurer
  • February 13, 2025
Thirteen children sit on the floor in three rows with two more children standing behind the others. All children are holding up open books in front of their faces. A red rubber duckie sits on the diplay case at the back of the group.
Helen Reid '11 and her students at Voyager K-8 in St. Cloud, Florida, show Norman from Normal how to read quietly in the library.

In September of 2024, the School of Teaching and Learning (TCH) at Illinois State University kicked off its TCH Quackademics campaign by delivering 60 red rubber duckies to alumni teaching in classrooms throughout Illinois and across the country.

Since the flock took flight, the TCH mailbox has been flooded with stories and photos documenting the exciting adventures of their ducks with the alumni teachers and students in their classrooms.

binder with stickers, red rubber duck, red and white pom pom
Jessica Bainter ’99 and her second through fifth grade gifted students named their duck Quacktin America and outfitted him with handmade accessories.

The initial posts highlighted the students’ creativity through name selection for the duckies, with favorites including Qwacknethius the Third at Fieldcrest Intermediate in Toluca, James Pond at Still Middle School in Aurora, and Quacktin America at Park View Elementary in Glen Ellyn. Several of the classes also constructed costumes for their new duck friend as part of their warm welcome.

football frenzy whiteboard with hanging Redbirds pennant
Boggie Woggie enjoyed learning math while helping the students during the football draft.

Almost instantly upon arriving in the classrooms, the new feathered friends were incorporated into the learning activities, ranging from science experiments to an escape room, and even growing hydroponic vegetables. Boggie Woggie, who joined fourth grade with Stephanie Robers ’10 at Park View Elementary in Glen Ellyn has been the busiest duck of the flock. He has learned how to read, write poetry, conduct a football draft, finish a fun run, dress up for Halloween, and watch volcanoes erupt.

One of the most endearing developments so far in the TCH Quackademics campaign has been the reports of students bringing in their own rubber duckies from home to befriend the red TCH ducks in the classroom. And at Jefferson Primary School in Pekin, Calene Marvin ’00, M.S. ’04, gave each student in her reading intervention groups a new duck of their own for a holiday gift.

kids bird toys
boy rubbing Abe statue's nose in Springfield
Callie Yoder ’24 and her fourth-grade class at Goodfield Elementary took their duck, Popcorn, on a trip to Springfield and rubbed Lincoln’s nose for good luck.

The TCH flock isn’t only learning inside the classrooms, as many of them have spread their wings on fun field trips. Danielle Burge ’16, M.S. ’20, and her preschoolers at Jefferson Park Elementary in El Paso took their duck, Mario, to a farm and to the local fire station. Other duckies have visited a local library, an artist studio, and a performance of the Nutcracker.

While sharing the escapades of the flock has been a highlight for everyone in the School of Teaching and Learning, it is the creative teaching of our alumni that has made it a success. Stay tuned for the Rubber Duck Races and end-of-year awards coming in April and May.

Interested in updates on the rubber duckie adventures? Follow TCH on Instagram @tch_isu or Facebook @tch.isu!

Units

Alumni Engagement, College of Education, School of Teaching and Learning