Nicole currently teaches at a Special Education Transition Program, focusing on functional academics, vocational skills, and daily living skills for students aged 18-22. Nicole graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2022. While she initially aimed to work with elementary-aged students, she discovered her true passion during her student teaching in a high school functional life skills classroom. She now specializes in teaching Vocational Skills and takes pride in witnessing the tangible impact of her lessons as students gain employment and authentic work experiences beyond the program.
Through her college courses and student-teaching experiences during the pandemic, Nicole gained valuable experience utilizing various teaching tools to promote student engagement and build meaningful relationships. As a new teacher, she was tasked with introducing veteran teachers to instructional resources for tracking data, keeping students engaged, and fostering a love for learning. This role allowed her to contribute to her colleagues while benefiting from their mentorship. Nicole is committed to maintaining a direct connection to the classroom and aspires to become an instructional coach within her co-op. Through the MSPE program, she aims to enhance her skills as an educator and become a leader among her colleagues.