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Welcome Back!
New Faculty Member Highlight:
Youjin Yang
Help us welcome Youjin Yang to Eastern's College of Education! Youjin is a new faculty member in EIU's Department of Teaching, Learning, and Foundations. This semester, Fall 23, is her first semester teaching at EIU! She is originally from South Korea. She first came to the United States for a Study Abroad Program while in her masters program. She started her studies in South Korea and finished in New York State University, where she also got her PhD in Elementary Education. She later went back to school at Indiana State University where she received a Master of Science in Special Education. Before coming to Eastern Illinois University, Youjin taught at several different universities and colleges, including Chicago State University, Indiana State University, and Saint Mary of the Woods College.
Youjin decided to come to EIU for the opportunity to grow professionally. She is teaching early childhood classes at EIU, including Literacy for ECE. She will also be working with Dr. Brian Reid on the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship. She is helping organize the courses and making sure everything is up the Illinois Standards for Early Childhood Education.
Youjin is very excited to teach at EIU, and she is very passionate about Early Childhood Education. She views early childhood as inherently inclusive, as children are learning language and how to socialize while bringing their own diverse and unique backgrounds. She also believes that we need to put more emphasis on, and investment in, early childhood education. She says that early childhood is a critical time in development, and if children can learn and grow effectively and appropriately at that stage we can spend less trying to get students to catch up later in life. Children who are able to successfully develop early in life will have an easier time learning later in life.
Youjin says the ECACE program is a great opportunity for people who are wanting to get their 4 year degree in education and already has experience in education. If you want to learn more about the ECACE Scholarship Degree Program please visit their website below!
Fun Fact about Youjin: She can speak Korean! She ran the Korean Language After School Program in Terre Haute for over 2 years!
New Teacher Highlight:
Rob Zumbahlen - Altamont Community High School
Rob Zumbahlen grew up in Effingham, Illinois and has studied and he received his degree from Eastern Illinois University and Missouri State University. After not being sure what he wanted to graduate with, he looked at his professors for inspiration. Zumbahlen specifically states, "Mr. Cameron Douglas Craig was by far one of my favorite teachers and he inspired me to think about becoming a teacher. I thought to myself if this guy can teach a class that I do not like and make me not only do well in the class, but truly enjoy it, I want to do what he does". Now Rob is at Altamont High School as a Business Teacher!
One of the many things Zumbahlen will do for rural schools is give the students opportunities to make a difference in their own communities. Zumbahlen expresses, "My goal/philosophy is that I go into school everyday and I make every effort I can to do my best and inspire as many students as I can". He understands that not every student will have a drive for business; however, he will help them succeed in the classroom, as well as life.
