Nicole Seaver

Nicole Seaver of Rockford is a special education teacher for Kindergarten, first and second grades at Belvidere’s Lincoln Elementary, where she’s been the past three of her 14 years as an educator. Nicole has taught students with intellectual impairments, ADHD, Autism, developmental delays, behavior struggles, speech and language disabilities and students who have limited speech and utilize AAC devices. Because of the diverse abilities and needs of her students, Nicole spends a lot of time developing varied techniques and tools to reach them where they are at, collaborating with parents and fellow teachers and researching teaching methods to engage the students and help them reach their goals. A staff member nominated Nicole, writing, “Nicole is a special education teacher who cares deeply for all students at Lincoln. She creates such a caring, calm, warm and welcoming atmosphere. She truly cares about students’ academic, personal and emotional growth. She communicates regularly with staff and parents regarding positive progress or areas of concerns. She adjusts accordingly and provides extensive support! Nicole is always willing to help in the classroom, whether she pushes in or pushes out of the classroom. Nicole shares resources to help many teachers and staff. All students love her. She is helpful for not only students on her case load, but any students she encounters.” Principal Beth Marchini says that Nicole “exemplifies the qualities of a caring and compassionate educator,” while assistant principal Heather Nelson added that she is her students’ “staunchest supporter and their loudest advocate. She is diligent in ensuring their needs are met and they have access to the same educational resources and advantages as their same-age peers.”  In a recommendation letter, Nelson wrote that Nicole “recognizes that she is but one part of a larger community with the same goal: the goal of increasing student success. Nicole’s students feel her support and, as a result, work hard to please her. When one of her students feels success, she makes sure everyone shares that success. No matter how big or small, she celebrates them all.” Her classroom observers Her classroom observers enjoyed her enthusiasm and encouragement with her students. They could tell that she “genuinely loves and believes in making a difference for her students.”