Diplomat Elementary’s Nicole Micieli named West Zone Teacher of the Year
A Diplomat Elementary School science coach has been named the West Zone Teacher of the Year.
Nicole Micieli, who has been employed in the School District of Lee County for 19 years, works with grade-level teams to enhance instruction and support teachers with whatever they might need. This is her first year as the science coach.
“Receiving the award means a lot to me. It feels really special to know that the work I do with my students, and my colleagues, is noticed and appreciated. Teaching is something I care deeply about, and this award reminds me why I love what I do. It motivates me to keep showing up for my students, trying new things, and continuing to grow as an educator,” she said.
As the science coach she also shares ideas and resources, as well as creating her own materials to make the science curriculum both easier to understand and engaging for students.
“This year, I’m also the Gifted Resource Teacher at Diplomat, which has been a lot of fun. I get to plan and lead activities that encourage critical and creative thinking while incorporating STEM projects. In addition, I support third, fourth, and fifth grade in math by working with small groups of students on current skills or prerequisite skills they may be struggling with, helping them build a strong foundation and confidence in their learning,” she said.
The most enjoyment of her job stems from the opportunity to share resources and ideas with teachers across the school.
“I really value the feedback that comes from those conversations — it gives me an outside perspective beyond just how I’ve used something in my own classroom,” Micieli said. “Seeing how teachers implement ideas with different groups of students, hearing what worked, and collaborating on how to make it even better for the next year is one of the most rewarding parts of the role.”
As the science coach she has had many successes with the “light bulb moment” reaching the top.
“Hearing a student say, ‘Oh, I get it now!’ or ‘Ohh, that makes sense’ is one of the best parts of the job,” she said.
Micieli also looks at the data, as the success lies in seeing how students perform compared to the district.
“For example, on an assessment for Forces and Motion, Diplomat fifth graders averaged 80.9%, while the district average was 72.9%. The hard work of both the teachers and students really shined through, and it’s rewarding to see their efforts reflected in their learning,” she said.
Micieli said she truly loves what she does.
“I love my students, and I love my colleagues. Diplomat Elementary is an amazing place to work, and I feel very lucky to be part of that family,” she said.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com