Nichole Bowman, a high school math teacher in Pierre, South Dakota, has earned a prestigious Milken Educator Award. Photo credit: Pierre School District.

It is always a pleasure for me to share stories about talented educators who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Nichole Bowman, a high school school math teacher from South Dakota who has earned a prestigious Milken Educator Award for 2021-2022.

Nichole’s career as an educator has spanned a total of 15 years, all of them in South Dakota. She currently teaches Geometry, Algebra, and Algebra II at all grade levels at TF Riggs High School in Pierre. Previously she taught at Georgia Morse Middle School in Pierre, and she has also taught at schools in Rapid City and Kimball.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Nichole has worked for the South Dakota Department of Education (SDDOE) on reviewing and revising state content standards in math. She has also led workshops that share best practices for math teachers. She has also worked on a committee that explores policies that address the needs of the district’s diverse population.

Nichole’s work with her students goes well beyond the pedagogy. “I start by making sure they know it’s not just about math. It’s about them—about their education and how they learn, and what they know they are capable of,” she declares. “Half the battle as a math teacher, and probably any educator, is making them believe that they can do it. I really let them keep their own pace. I introduce a topic. Then, it’s really on them,” she continues. “They work in teams—three brains are better than one—and they work together, and they communicate. Communication is a big one,” Nichole concludes.

The Milken Award is not the only recognition Nichole has earned. Just last month, Nichole was selected Pierre School District 2022 Teacher of the Year.

Nichole is a native of Armour. After her high school graduation in 2003, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, with a Specialty in Mathematics, in 2007 from Northern State University in Aberdeen.

The Milken Educator Awards have been described by Teacher Magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to the $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the award includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,700 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country whose work strengthens best practices in education. To learn more, click on Milken Educator Awards.