Like many of her students, Nikki Carel moved around a lot as a kid, and it’s a way she’s built connections with them.
It’s one reason she was selected as the 2016 Eisinger Teacher of the Year on Thursday at the Jefferson City Public Schools Teacher Appreciation Banquet.
Carel is “adept with building positive relationships with all students so they feel safe and included,†and her “attitude greatly impacts the environment of her classroom,†according to her nomination for the award.
With tears in her eyes, she approached the stage and accepted her award and $1,000 donation from Linda and Don Eisinger. Linda is a former teacher of the school district and a former Missouri Teacher of the Year.
The Eisingers announced earlier this year that for 15 years they would donate $1,000 to each year’s recipient of Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Teacher.
The 2016 Eisinger Outstanding Educator of the Year is Linda Tobar, a seventh-grade science teacher at Lewis and Clark Middle School.
“Wow,†Carel said after she received her award. “Thank you all so much. I can’t tell you how proud I am to stand here and represent this district. I really feel blessed and honored.â€
The first-grade teacher with Pioneer Trails for five years has been a teacher for 14 years total. She started her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher at Latham Elementary School in Moniteau County.
She grew up in Russellville and attended Russellville High School before earning her bachelor’s degree in education from Lincoln University. She completed her master’s degree from William Woods University in elementary administration.
Since Carel was a young girl, she knew she wanted to be a teacher and would line up her dolls for their daily lesson.
In a video about the award finalists, Carel said she wants her students to remember how hard they work in class, how much she loves them and that they will succeed and fail together.
“I love working with the littles,†she said of being a first-grade teacher. “They love their teachers no matter what. And they hug on you, and they’re very excited about learning. My favorite part about teaching is being with the kids every day. They keep you young and energized.â€
Carel is a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association and is actively involved with the American Cancer Society and St. Martin’s Parish.
Other finalists for the awards were Eileen Bisges and Karen Distler from Lewis and Clark Middle School, Kim Harrison from Pioneer Trails Elementary and Carol Stow from West Elementary.
Carel said she will spend the prize money on a family vacation to Florida.