By Rose Hutchins

Nikki Salinas is beyond grateful for being named Enid’s Teacher of the Month. When the award was announced, she was overwhelmed with emotion: embarrassed, humbled beyond words, honored.

“There are so many deserving teachers, it’s hard to believe I’m one of them.” She shares. For Salinas, the recognition is a reflection of the joy she brings to her classroom and the relationships she creates with her students.

From a young age, Nikki knew she would end up in education. She came from a family of educators, coaches, and staff members that devoted their lives to others. Their example helped pave the way to her own classroom, where she reminds her students daily, “All students will achieve, if they can.”

What her students love most about her is the way she wears her heart on a sleeve. She models how to always expect the best from yourself, laugh often, and have fun. 

“It’s the most positive way to live,” she explains.

In the classroom, Nikki uses relevance and humor to engage her students. When they walk into her room, they know exactly what they’re doing and why they’re doing it every single day. She also believes in taking responsibility, if you make a mistake, own it. From her experience, students may not always remember the specific lesson she taught, but they will remember the way they felt in her classroom.

“My hope for my legacy is one where students feel seen and heard, and if nothing else, that positivity and sunshine will be contagious,” she shares.

Overall, Nikki’s main goal is for her students to know she cares for them and is grateful for the opportunity to watch them grow. To her, that’s what matters the most. Her advice to anyone juggling with the idea of a career in teaching is straightforward.

“Do it! Please, don’t listen to all the negative voices. There is so much good every day.” 

She treasures the chance to laugh, build relationships, make jokes, and most of all, fill her heart daily, because in the end, that’s what truly matters.