Nicole Howard was nominated by her colleague, Barbara Koenig.
Ms. Howard is currently living out her passion of educating students. She teaches at Vista Academy in the Far Northeast community of Denver Public Schools, which is a small alternative school serving students from 6th to 12th grade. She loves to inspire her students to be innovative and try new things to help them maximize their learning. Through the use to technology, teaching methods and other innovative tools, Ms. Howard empowers her students to learn and take ownership of their learning. By leading her class with passion and integrity, she prepares students for their future endeavors and encourages them to contribute to society.
Ms. Howard was asked to speak of how she became such an amazing young teacher. She said, “You are what you envision yourself to become. You are built for the road ahead. What you give your time and energy to is where you give your power. Making mistakes is a part of life, but if you continue to dwell on them; they can control the rest of your life. I am confident that with the right amount and type of supports, any student can and will learn.”
Outside of the classroom, Ms. Howard is a single mother of two beautiful daughters who truly are the fire behind her drive. At ages seven and three, they are truly amazing children and a reflection of their mother. She incorporates them within the Vista Family, allowing them to participate in school events and showing them that learning matters; not only to the students, but the girls as well.
Ms. Howard organizes and leads a group called “Lock-ins." It teaches middle school girls to empower themselves, make good decisions, and leverage positive relationships. She invites female leaders from the community to come and share their stories with students. They share their journey from childhood to adulthood, and show how decisions can bring joy or sorrow in their lives.
She also mentors groups of young female students on different aspects of life, and tries to promote healthy relationship building and self-esteem. Ms. Howard even sponsors the Ski/Snowboard club to give her students exposure to sports they may not regularly have access to.
For the past 5 years, Ms. Howard has enjoyed coaching volleyball, basketball, and soccer to different age groups. She also coaches high school basketball at a neighboring school with her father. Currently, Ms. Howard is working on her Master's degree in counseling at NYU Steinhardt, with anticipation of finishing in 2019. She enjoys almost everything about the outdoors and loves to stay active. She is clearly committed to being a life-long learner. She has recently led the quest to provide mindfulness in education to Vista Academy and leads meditation and teambuilding activities for students.
"Nicole isn't only an amazing educator, but an amazing person," Koenig said. "We are lucky to have such a great person helping our school become a home for so many students who need so much love and support."
This is a well deserved nomination for a committed, dedicated, passionate person such as Nicole, you lead by example and lead with your heart. Continue to do what you do & make positive and productive impacts in the lives of our youth. God bless you.
I have known Nicole since since she was born. She has an image sense of compassion for all walks of life. She seems to find the opportunity in every challenge and has that ability to make those around her believe anything is possible. She comes from a family of exceptional teachers so it is in her blood.
Nicole is a very gifted, talented, dedicated and caring educator. She is passionate about her profession which shows in her initiative to go above and beyond in all of her endeavors. She is more than deserving of this recognition and honor. She is respected and admired by her peers. Her students envy her leadership skills and strive to emulate her qualities. She teaches her students by providing examples from her own life experiences. This is all a testament to her incredible characteristics that make her a great educator and a wonderful person. Without a doubt, she is the ideal candidate for the LifeChanger of the Year Award!
Nicole,
You are making a difference in the lives of so many young people! As these youth grow older they will remember the wisdom you impart in them. Keep being great!!
Nicole- you are an inspiration to me and so many others. I am proud to be your colleague, but it is an absolute honor to call you my friend. Thank you for all you do and the sacrifices that you make daily for our students.
Nicole is a awesome young mother, teacher, mentor and outstanding child of GOD.
Nicole Howard is a true inspiration and a very dedicated and loving teacher and an exceptional mother. May God continue to order your steps, Nicole.
Nicole has always been driven, and loves helping others. She is definitely deserving of all of the accolades and so much more!
I had the privilege of working with Nicole for the past three years as a coach, teacher, mentor, friend and lick -in partner at Vista. I am ni linger there, but she continues to put student's first in all she does. Nicole is very derserving of this, as she dedicates and Devote her life to not only her kids, but everyone elses.
Every time I'm around Nicole, my day gets a little bit brighter. She is one of those rare souls who can change your day for the better with a smile or her infectious laughter. I can only hope that my children will be blessed with a teacher like Nicole.
Nicole is the best science teacher ever. She was born to be not only a teacher but an inspiration to the community. She is more than deserving of this award.
I feel Nicole definitely deserves to win. She is amazing and goes beyond the call of duty to be a positive influence to everyone around her. She is a phenomenal woman who is worthy. I wish she could teach all of the young children today, because she truly Doe's it from the heart and makes a great big impact.
Thanks Nicole for being a inspiration and positive influence on these young ladies, keep following your dreams and making your girls and family proud love you little cousin
You truly are amazing!!! I am soooooo proud of you!!! Praying your passion for children continues to grow and bless them and you!!!! Look at God!!!
Very Proud of Nicole I am very blessed to have known her during her Lane College days
Nicole truly is an amazing and good person. She is an inspiration for my daughters. Her mother, Angela is a great friend of mine, and she is a true product of her mother. She is much deserving of this award.
Nicole Howard is a gifted teacher and an amazing person. She inspires everyone around her -- students, staff, and community members -- with her positive energy, go-getter attitude, open heart, and willingness to work hard for all she believes in.
Nicole Howard is very deserving of this honor.
I have know Nicole for many years. She is a beautiful soul inside and out and her smile will light up a room! I'm so happy to see the things she's doing in the class room, and the community. Sounds like she just might be wonder woman! Blessings Nicole, keep up the great work and Good luck with the award, you deserve it. The kids deserve it!
Nicole Howard is an exceptional young lady and truly deserving of this award. She is truly a blessing not only to her students but everyone she meets. Her smile, enthusiasm and willingness to assist others are qualities hard to find. She is always a joy to be around.
You are an amazing person all around and are well deserving of this nomination and award!!!!
There is no better person more fitting for this than this young lady. She is a person with compassion and she truly cares and loves what she does. As an educator she shows that it is very important for children to learn, and that alone is a life changer to many kids who can't get that from some teachers. Very proud of her and she deserves every accolade given.
Ms. Nicole Howard was asked to speak her truth of how she became such an amazing young teacher and she said, “You are what you envision yourself to become. You are built for the road ahead. What you give your time and energy to is where you give your power. Making mistakes is a part of life, but if you continue to dwell on them; they can control the rest of your life. I am confident that with the right amount and type of supports any student can and will learn.”
Nicole is currently living and working within her passion of educating and guiding students. She teaches at Vista Academy in the Far Northeast community of Denver Public Schools, which is a small alternative school serving students from 6th to 12th grade. She loves to inspire her students to be innovative and try new things to help them maximize their learning. Through the use to technology and other innovative tools and teaching methods, she empowers our students to learn and take ownership of their learning. By leading her class with passion and integrity, she prepares our students to be able to contribute and be competitive in our world while becoming college and career ready.
Outside of the classroom, she is a single mother of two beautiful daughters who are truly are the fire behind her drive. At 7 and 3 years of age, they are truly amazing little people and a reflection of their mother. She incorporates them within the Vista Family, allowing them to participate in school events and showing them how learning matters not only to the other students, but the girls as well. Nicole organizes and leads “lock ins” for middle school girls, teaching them how to empower themselves, make good decisions, and leverage positive relationships. She invites female leaders from the community to come and share their stories with our students. These leaders share their journey from childhood to adult, and show how decisions can bring joy or sorrow in their lives. She involves community business through donations as not to affect our sparse school budget. She mentors groups of her young female students on different aspects of life to tries to promote healthy relationship building and self-esteem. She does all of this and even sponsors the Ski/Snowboard club, which give our students of color exposure to the sports they may not regularly has access to.
For the past 5 years, she has enjoyed coaching volleyball, basketball, and soccer to different age groups. She currently is working on her Masters Degree in Counseling at NYU Steinhardt with anticipation of finishing in 2019, and coaches high school basketball at a neighboring school with her father. She enjoys almost everything about the outdoors and loves to stay active. She is clearly committed to being a life-long learner as our world is forever and always changing.
She has recently lead the quest to provide mindfulness in education to Vista Academy. She leads meditation and teambuilding to our students. Nicole is an amazing educator, but more so an amazing person. We are lucky to have such a great person helping our school become a home for so many students who need so much love and support.
