• ST. LOUIS, MO, November 6, 2012 – The St. Louis Public School District has named Ms. Melinda Nikolaisen, Secondary Social Studies Departmental Chair at Gateway STEM High School, as the 2012 Middle/Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year.

     

    To be named the 2012 Middle/Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year, Nikolaisen was asked to explain her philosophy and approach to teaching; be recommended by a principal and a professional colleague; and pass a classroom evaluation conducted by a team of professionals. 

     

    “My philosophy is as simple as helping my students realize that all of life is a learning opportunity for them, that Social Studies is not about memorizing facts and dates and capitals-it’s about students educating themselves, it’s about teaching them to think for themselves and figuring out the answer for themselves because that is what life will be expecting from them,” said Nikolaisen.

     

    An educator with the District since 2000, Nikolaisen currently teaches a wealth of topics from Civics/Government/Economics/ Geography; Psychology/Sociology; and Street Law to 11th and 12th grade students. Moreover, she is one of two teachers in Missouri who participate in the Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline program with Macy’s Department Store. 

     

    “I think what makes Ms. Nikolaisen an extraordinary teacher is her passion for the subject, her organization, and her desire to really present the material in an exciting fashion,” said Dr. Elizabeth Bender, Principal of Gateway STEM High School.

     

    “This award is a great recognition of her years of dedicated service, both in the classroom and out,” added Bender.  “From curriculum enhancements to technology upgrades and professional development, she helps those around her succeed.” 

     

    Nikolaisen also serves on the Educator Advisory Board with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and on the 22nd Circuit Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee with the Missouri Bar Association. She holds a Masters in Education-Secondary Education, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Minor in History from the University of Missouri-Columbia.  She has her Missouri Secondary Social Studies Certification, and her Missouri Principles of Teaching and Learning- Middle School Certification.

     

    As the 2012 Middle/Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year, Nikolaisen was honored with an awards reception and presented with a $1,000 award from the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation.  In addition, she was presented with a trophy, a plaque, and a $500 award for classroom supplies and/or professional development through the Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund. 

     

    For more information please contact the Office of Public Information (314) 345-2367.

     

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