The March Allen Samuels CDJR Teacher of the Month is Nicky Schafer, a kindergarten teacher at Union Valley Elementary School.
Schafer originally planned to become a physical therapist, but a car accident in high school changed those plans. She doesn’t consider it a setback but rather a teaching tool.
She believes her disability shows students that appearances don’t define a person—it’s what’s inside that matters. She hopes to teach them that challenges can be overcome to achieve success.
Schafer was nominated by Meghan Price, who said three of her children have been in Schafer’s classroom.
“She is an amazing, loving, creative and wonderful teacher,” Price wrote. “Our children, and many others, have been incredibly fortunate to learn and grow under her care and guidance. Whether it’s the marriage of Q and U, Zero the Hero, or gingerbread man and leprechaun escapades, she manages to make learning fun. The way these children emerge from her classroom ready to take on the world and learn all that they can amazes me. Thank you for all you do!”
Schafer has been a kindergarten teacher for 13 years, spending five years at Fort Riley and the last eight at Union Valley.
She says the biggest reward is watching her students enter the classroom at the beginning of the year and leave as readers, mathematicians and scientists. Her advice to future educators is to have passion, as the rewards outweigh the challenges and the impact of teaching touches every student, every day.
Congratulations to Nicky Schafer, the Allen Samuels CDJR Teacher of the Month.