Welcome Back From Ms. Nicole

It is great to be back with my team at The Foundry! I had an amazing summer and now I'm ready to hit the ground running working to build capacity for 21st century life and work in my schools. Building capacity means that I am assisting in the launching of projects and deepening the quality of existing projects with the intent that they become sustainable STEAM project based programs within schools that will adequately prepare students for life and work in the 21st century.

This year, I am placed at Downey and Melrose Elementary Schools. I started at Downey in March of last school year and look forward to building upon those established relationships and assisting in deepening the quality of the existing good work already happening at Downey. Melrose is a new placement with the Foundry. That means there will be an abundance of newness, brainstorming, and relationship building happening as I learn the culture and goals of the school. I am truly excited about helping Melrose meet their goals in the area of delivering STEAM project based learning experiences to prepare their students for 21st century life and work.

Working with children is one of my biggest joys! Being part of school communities is something I absolutely love. Because of that, working as a Maker Fellow through The Foundry at StartUp (922 N. 3rd Street) is a passion of mine. For those that may not know me, the following is a brief overview of my educational and professional background.

The totality of my professional work has been with children in schools or community settings. I obtained a joint Master’s Degree in Counseling and Communication from Regent University. Immediately upon graduating, I became an elementary school counselor in Chesapeake, VA. I would still hold that same position today, had I not left to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams.

Since my time as a school counselor, I have worked as a behavioral specialist and mobile therapist for children whose behaviors were negatively impacting their learning. I have also become a Certified Life Coach. Through my coaching business, I have authored two books, and travel around speaking in order to empower women in the areas of identity, purpose and vision.

On a personal note, this summer I spent time with my college roommates relaxing, hiking trails and kayaking at a remote lake house in Georgia. We hadn’t been together

for 22 years!

In my spare time, I enjoy traveling. My most recent trips have been to Honduras and Jamaica. I also enjoy yoga and plan to become a certified instructor. When not working, you can usually find me painting, watching football or basketball, and I can't go a day without my TEA!

One of my biggest goals this year is excellency in building relationships with teachers and ensuring we have the most effective communication possible. I'd also like to explore developing some short exposure projects for my schools youngest learners. I am looking forward to a knock-out year with the Foundry supporting Downey and Melrose as well as all of the other Foundry schools!