Teachers' Lounge

Northern Public Radio

Host Peter Medlin connects with teachers, students and leaders in education as they discuss the biggest issues impacting classrooms.We want to hear your experiences as an educator. Send us a note to teacherslounge@niu.edu

  1. FEB 6

    A Morris teacher who's not afraid to set a standard of excellence | Teachers' Lounge Podcast

    On a new Teachers' Lounge podcast, we talk with a Morris teacher who’s not afraid to hold his students to a standard of excellence.“I tell the kids, if you come in and you work for me, I will jump over the moon for you.”What it means to go above and beyond for kids.

    48 min

  2. JAN 23

    The top Illinois education issues to watch in 2026 | Teachers' Lounge Podcast

    There have been so many massive education stories over the past year from the dismantling of the Department of Education to childcare funding freezes.On a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast, we try to help you make sense of it and give you a roadmap to following education in 2026.

    1h 6m

  3. JAN 9

    Meet the student-reporters from Kaneland High School's student-run magazine 'The Kaneland Krier'

    Every semester, we feature a new group of "student correspondents." They're students in a club, sport, or activity. We interview them every month and bring you their journey. This fall, we highlighted the reporters and editors at Kaneland High School's student-run magazine "The Kaneland Krier" as they raced against their deadlines.

    23 min
  4. Some of our best education stories of 2025 | Teachers' Lounge Podcast

    JAN 2

    Some of our best education stories of 2025 | Teachers' Lounge Podcast

    Before we get too far into 2026, let's take one more look back at some of our best education stories we reported in 2025.

    1 hr
  5. Some of our favorite conversations of 2025 | Teachers' Lounge Podcast

    12/19/2025

    Some of our favorite conversations of 2025 | Teachers' Lounge Podcast

    On a new Teachers' Lounge, we're revisiting a few of our favorite education conversations of 2025 as we finish up the year.

    1h 10m

  6. 12/05/2025

    An Ottawa teacher helping her special ed students transition to college | Teachers' Lounge Podcast

    On a new Teachers’ Lounge Podcast, an Ottawa High School special education teacher helping her students transition to college…from knowing their rights to picking their classes.

    52 min

  7. 11/21/2025

    How an NIU music educator teaches music like a language | Teachers' Lounge Podcast

    On Teachers’ Lounge, it's Ann Montzka Smelser.She's the Director of the Suzuki Strings Program at Northern Illinois University.Ann’s a practitioner of what’s called “the Suzuki method of music learning.” It’s based on the idea that music talent isn’t inherent, it’s something that’s nurtured through positive encouragement.

    54 min

  8. 11/07/2025

    A Crystal Lake teacher's adventure across Illinois | Teachers' Lounge podcast

    On a new Teachers' Lounge, Bob Chikos! He’s a special education teacher at Crystal Lake Central High School.He's involved in education policy at the state level, working on reports about the teacher pipeline and school psychologist shortages.Bob also recently took a fascinating trip around Illinois

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Host Peter Medlin connects with teachers, students and leaders in education as they discuss the biggest issues impacting classrooms.We want to hear your experiences as an educator. Send us a note to teacherslounge@niu.edu

Information

  • Creator
    Northern Public Radio
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    179
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Teachers' Lounge