Ottawa Senators January 2024 Teacher of the Month

Future GoalsTM Program

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Ottawa Senators January 2024 Teacher of the Month

Name:

Karen Nickle

School:

Sacred Heart Catholic School Marmora

Classroom Team:


Tell us about yourself!

I am the married mother of three grown boys and the proud grandmother of five. I have lived with my husband of 34 years in Madoc Ontario since 1990. I returned to school at age 40 and obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Waterloo and then my Bachelor of Education degree from Queen’s University in 2009. Since them, I have taught all grades from Kindergarten through Grade 12. I have a specialist designation in Special Education and in Religion. I have always had a keen interest in bringing technology into the classroom and was among the first teachers in Canada to begin using the Everfi platform. I am passionate about supporting my students in developing their best skills using their academic, social, emotional, and spiritual gifts. I am a lector and parish council member.

Who is your favorite NHL® player and why?

Drake Batherson is a favourite. Having been raised in Belleville Ontario and with a strong history of volunteering with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, I think Drake epitomizes a model hockey player. He has all the necessary skills, including leadership and commitment to community. He is an outstanding role mode for his peers and for fans, particularly kids to admire and emulate.

What is your favorite part of the Future Goals™program? How do you see STEM in the game of hockey?

I LOVE the fact that I can reach my students with real life connections through the Future Goals program. There are so many elements of STEM relative to the game of hockey, area, perimeter, speed and distance calculation, measurement, angle study, data gathering and analysis – kids get to see the actual application of the Math and Science skills they are learning in a context of high interest to them. Learning becomes less of a chore and much more engaging through Future Goals.

If you played hockey, what position would you play and why?

I would likely play forward, I like to take risks and push limits while valuing and honoring my place as a part of team.