Nicole Frazer

Teacher: Nicole Frazer

Subject: Government, Economics, Introduction to Teaching

School: Jefferson High School (Rockford)

Teaching experience: 16 years, all at Jefferson

What did a nominator or recommender say about this teacher?

• She consistently makes her students the priority and is phenomenal at making Government fun. She puts the content into terms that are easily understandable and she explains why assignments are important to her students and to the class. She is constantly going above and beyond. – a peer nomination
• She represents the best qualities of an educator: knowledge, compassion, creativity and a steadfast dedication to students. She blends high expectations with genuine care, creating an environment where every student believes they can succeed. – a letter of recommendation from a district administrator

What does this teacher say? I want my students to know that they matter and that they can make a difference in their community, if not the world. I love being able to encourage them to have a voice in their community and government. Social Studies education is part of the foundation of our Democracy, our economy and our future. I aim to create a classroom and school community where every student can grow academically, socially and civically.

What else do we know? Over the last four years, RPS205 has been able to hire 35 certified teachers who have come through the school district’s education pathway and there are another 85 who are working toward professional teaching licenses. An overwhelming majority of those educators and future educators were students in Nicole’s education pathway courses. Many former students have shared that it was her passion, encouragement and example that sparked their desire to become teachers themselves. Nicole was also named to the 40 under 40 by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in 2022.