University News

Just Hired: Maddie Thurman

June 18, 2026

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Just Hired! Through the experiences of local, regional, national and international students, Western Illinois University has incredible alumni who are making an impact in the workforce. This series features students from around the world who are hired post-graduation.

MACOMB, IL – Meet Maddie Thurman, a new first-grade special education teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Macomb, after completing her Early Childhood Education degree at Western Illinois University.

Thurman was hired by Lincoln Elementary School, where she will serve as a first-grade special education teacher. She was drawn to the school's commitment to building strong relationships with students and families while creating a supportive learning environment for all learners. Lincoln Elementary stood out to her because of its focus on student growth, staff collaboration and dedication to meeting the individual needs of every child. She is especially excited to work in a setting that values inclusion, creativity and hands-on learning experiences.

She secured the position through a combination of networking, student teaching experiences and support from faculty mentors at WIU. Throughout her time in the School of Education, Thurman built strong professional relationships and gained valuable classroom experience that helped prepare her for the hiring process. The application process included submitting teaching materials and recommendation letters, followed by interviews focused on classroom management, instructional strategies and building relationships with students. Her student teaching experiences provided real-world examples she could draw upon during interviews and helped prepare her for the transition into the profession.

Reflecting on her time at WIU, Thurman said she learned the importance of building meaningful relationships with students while providing engaging, differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs. Her coursework and field experiences strengthened her skills in classroom management, lesson planning, assessment, collaboration and instructional strategies. Through student teaching and other hands-on opportunities, she gained confidence in adapting lessons, supporting students with different abilities and creating positive classroom environments. Thurman credits her WIU education with preparing her both academically and professionally for a successful start to her teaching career.

Thurman plans to stay connected with WIU by supporting future teacher candidates, maintaining relationships with faculty mentors and participating in alumni and education events. She hopes to give back by encouraging future educators and mentoring the next generation of teacher candidates.

For more information on WIU's Early Childhood Education program, visit wiu.edu/Education

To share your hiring story with WIU, visit go.wiu.edu/4eVgEuw.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing