EIU Senior Madi Houser Named IEA Aspiring Educator
Mar-27-2024News From the Illinois Education Association -- March 16, 2024
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Bob Haisman Student of the Year Award – Madi Houser (Aspiring educator, Eastern Illinois University)
Madi Houser is a senior at Eastern Illinois University studying elementary education and chairperson for IEA Aspiring Educators. Under Madi's leadership, the EIU Aspiring Ed program has grown. One of her best qualities as a leader is the way she lifts up others. She created the APEX program, which highlights the good work future educators are doing on college campuses; the program has fostered growth in teacher prep courses. As Chairperson, Madi has organized retreats for aspiring educators in Illinois to discuss the future of education and the value of IEA membership. During these trainings she has introduced aspiring educators to the Red for Ed movement and the importance of taking political action. She does all of this while navigating the challenging side effects of a health condition and treatment. Madi spreads joy in everything she does. She is always one of the first to volunteer to help and does everything with a smile. An activist through and through, she has been a vocal proponent of HB 4562 for paid student teaching and has made invaluable contributions to our union and our communities in so many ways. Her future students are so lucky to call “Miss Houser” their teacher.
