"I met Nicki a few years ago at Pioneer Elementary school in our ALC Program. Nicki was assigned to work with an extremely challenging student. It took Nicki no time at all to create activities that were fun, and which also incorporated learning. There was a great mix of learning as well as including her student in activities that they enjoyed and calmed them. She also had her student join other small groups as much as possible to balance their need of interacting with others as well as their own individual one on one time. Nicki is so kind and understanding of the students needs and her patience is amazing."

- Cindy Michael-Lachine, retired paraprofessional in Evergreen School District 

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"I had the pleasure of working with Nicki Mann from 2002-2004 at Miner School in Arlington Heights, IL. Miner served students with learning, behavioral, and physical challenges. Nicki and I worked as 1:1 aides in an elementary school classroom.

In special education settings, teamwork among staff is incredibly important. Nicki was a delight to work with, always positive and supportive. Many students had significant behavioral issues and occasional violent outbursts. Nicki always remained calm and professional, and demonstrated incredible patience in challenging, frustrating, and crisis situations. She reliably used good judgment when split-second decisions needed to be made and was a team member everyone could count on to contribute to a safe and calm environment in which the students and staff could learn and grow.

What impressed me the most about Nicki and what I consider one of her greatest strengths, is her ability to strike a perfect balance of compassion and professionalism. A 1:1 aide spends all day, every day, with their student and must form close and trusting attachments while maintaining healthy boundaries. We are human beings with emotions and working so closely with students, of course, creates strong bonds, yet the primary function of our job is for the students to rely on us less, not more. It’s a balancing act and Nicki mastered this balance.

Nicki loves to learn and grow as much as she loves to help others learn and grow. She seeks out opportunities for education and training and is extremely ambitious.

Nicki is an asset to any team she is a part of, and parents and students fortunate enough to know her will benefit from her compassion, professionalism, and ambition."

- Candy Frank, former paraprofessional at NSSEO. 

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"Nicki is patient, kind and cares deeply for children in her care. She was hired by my sons school to be his 1:1 aide from kindergarten through 2nd grade. My son has autism and at that time had some behavior issues. He was in a class with students that did not have his a academic ability. Nicki took the time to keep my son engaged in and develop topics interesting to him which decreased the bad behavior because he was no longer bored. Nicki also helped outside of school when we took my son outside to different events. She always looked out for his best interest."

- Lisa Traina, parent, Chicago, IL. 

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"Nicki is and always has been amazing with kids. I have two kids. She has helped me many times, and always comes to visit with a craft or fun thing for them to all do together. She always goes out of her way to make her time with my kids fun. She is truly gifted in the area of children, and she always cares so much for what she does and who she is working with."

- Betsy Smith, parent, Chicago, IL.

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"From what I know of Nicki, and from what her Nona tells me, she is a very smart, caring and accomplished young woman. I hope she succeeds." - Aunt Harriet.

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