DeKALB – A new documentary titled “A Teacher’s Shoes” follows three NIU alumnae throughout a typical day of teaching in public schools.
The documentary was produced by the NIU College of Education’s Morgridge Endowed Chair Office, in partnership with the NIU Foundation, and features Grace DeSmedt, Ashley Manor, and Dominique Yackley, who collectively have more than two decades of classroom experience.
Kristen Aragon and Kimberly Teal, NIU graduate assistants who manage the Morgridge Office, developed and produced the project under the creative guidance of Angela Johansson, the NIU Foundation’s director of marketing and communications.
“If you are passionate about it, you can do it. That’s shown me to take that through my career. That’s the most important part. If you see something that has a need, or you see someplace where a little extra effort could be put in, and you are there to do it, even the small things make a big difference,” Teal said in a press release.
The film was inspired by “Why I Teach,” a 2024 documentary released by the Nashville Public Education Foundation.
“We really wanted to highlight not just what they do in the classroom from after the bell rings at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but what their whole day looks like,” Aragon said.
On screen, the teachers showed not only their power to reach and shape the minds of the students they teach, but also the quality of their education from NIU’s College of Education degree programs.
“The teachers wanted to show what they’re doing, and so did their students. The videographers mentioned multiple times to us that they truly saw the students blossom while they were there,” Teal said.
For Teal, the project deepened her appreciation of those in the teaching profession.
“Dominque (Yackley), Ashley (Manor) and Grace (DeSmedt) are diverse and representative of teachers in our community, and so we’re giving them the opportunity to speak on behalf of teachers and to let the community ask the questions they might have because, in reality, teachers are given our children eight hours a day,” Teal said.
Teal added that the experience helped her understand the demands teachers face each day and hopes that the same message is relayed to viewers.
“It can be harder now to be a teacher because you’re juggling so many aspects. We’re showing that they’re juggling it all, that they’re doing their best and that giving grace in every scenario is probably a good strategy,” Teal said.
Todd Gilson, NIU’s associate dean of Research, Resources and Innovation, oversees Morgridge operations and is pleased with the project’s outcomes.
“As I advance in my career, one thing becomes increasingly clear: Graduate students often have the best ideas. Unbound by pressures, expectations or limitations, they see problems and act with purpose,” Gilson said.
The film celebrates educators and is a reminder of the dedication required to shape future generations.
DeSmedt, Manor and Yackley will attend the showing of “A Teacher’s Shoes” at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The free event will take place in the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, 231 N. Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb, and is open to the public. While registration is not required, RSVPing is encouraged. Those interested can visit the registration webpage.
