About Mrs. Nikodesmki
Education:
Master of Liberal Arts, Harvard University Extension School, Field of English (2022)
Master of Arts in Teaching, Secondary English from Boston University
Bachelor of Science, Journalism from Boston University
Continuing education:
I truly believe that a teacher must consistently place him or herself in opportunities for new learning. For these reasons, I seek opportunities to expand my professional and personal self. I encourage students to share stories about their learning experiences that have occurred outside of our GV classrooms. The list below is an overview of some of the programs that have offered me the most enrichment.
National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Teacher-Scholar (Summer 2016)
I was lucky enough to be awarded a grant to study two years in a row. During the summer of 2016, I spent two weeks studying in San Jose, California, which is one of the most diverse areas in the nation. The topic was The Immigrant Experience in California through Literature and Theatre. Along with 24 other teachers, I examined the intersection of history, immigrant literature, and narrative as presented through theatre. I was honored to meet two well-respected authors, Maxine Hong Kingston and Luis Valdez. My time in California reminded me of the power of literature to help us empathize with individuals from different backgrounds and life paths.
National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Teacher-Scholar (Summer 2015):
During the summer of 2015, I packed a suitcase and left for Rome, Italy where I studied with 24 other K-12 teachers across the country. The topic was Monuments of Rome in English Culture. Over the course of four weeks, I spent many hours back in a student chair discussing history, philosophy, and literature. I became familiar with Cicero (whom students know from their reading of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar) and reacquainted with John Locke. I explored the city on foot for hours each week and practiced my Italian while ordering coffee. (I never became very good, so, students, take advantage of all that you learn in your world language classes before you lose it!)
Learn more about N.E.H. and their diverse contributions to the humanities here: http://www.neh.gov/
Writing Institute, West Chester University, a division of the National Writing Project (Summer 2010):
For four week and eight glorious hours a day, I spent my summer with other teachers from the area studying and engaging in multiple modes of writing. Even though I was a trained writer and had taught for three years before this experience, I can honestly say that this allowed me to reevaluate how writing operates in my classroom and forced me to be vulnerable in sharing my own writing- something I encourage my seniors to do each fall when they prepare for the final autobiography. The NWP offers summer programs for students 5-18, so check them out.
