Team TUSD

Nicole has been part of the district for 12 years, with a total of 17 years in education. She began her career working in preschool as a paraprofessional and has spent the past five years teaching students with autism in grades 3-5 at Erickson.

Nicole works with students who have a wide range of needs, focusing on daily living skills, academics, self help, and social emotional growth. The most rewarding part of her job is seeing student progress, she said. “To watch my kids make progress, even if it’s something small that might seem small to other people, it’s really big for them,” she said. “Just seeing that growth and learning independence and building relationships with them.”

She credits much of that success to the team around her. “We have a very strong team, which in turn makes our class very successful,” she said.
Nicole says Erikson stands out for its close community.

Outside of school, Nicole enjoys staying active and trying new things. Her love for adventure has taken her to unique experiences, including one standout memory: “I do love adventures, anywhere from sailing to snorkeling to swimming with dolphins,” she said. “Night swimming with manta rays in Kona was one of my favorites.”