Hi… I'm Nicole:
I help educators unlock their power to cultivate student learning that is deep, creative, and centered in equity. With decades of experience as a science teacher, instructional coach, and curriculum specialist, I partner with schools and leaders to build truly engaging learning environments. Whether you're rethinking your curriculum, leading professional learning, or transforming school culture into a thriving PLC, I'm here to help.
Services
I help educators and organizations grow through tailored professional learning, consulting, and coaching. My services are designed to support improvement, spark innovation, and build lasting capacity.
Tailored workshop designed to meet your unique goals and challenges, while equipping educators with innovative, research-based strategies to elevate teaching practices and boost student learning.
Individualized support and expert guidance to implement effective strategies, enhance outcomes, and achieve your short- or long-term educational goals with confidence.
Targeted support to instructional leaders and educators through personalized guidance and collaboration that builds capacity, refines practice, and drives meaningful student learning outcomes.
Options
Don't see an option that fits your needs? Reach out ... I'll create one that does!
Topics
PLC Foundations and Practices
- Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are grounded in the belief that educators can better meet the needs of all students when they work together intentionally and systematically. At their core, PLCs focus on shared responsibility for student learning, continuous improvement, and collective inquiry. Effective PLCs are built on a foundation of trust, clarity of purpose, and a commitment to using evidence to inform practice. Through structured collaboration, educators reflect on teaching, analyze student data, and develop strategies to enhance outcomes. When implemented with fidelity, PLCs shift the culture of a school from isolated practice to a collaborative, student-centered environment where learning is at the heart of everything.
A Mindset Shift: Embracing Science Education
- Transforming how science is taught means more than just updating lesson plans, it requires a fundamental shift in mindset. Helping educators move from traditional, content-heavy instruction to more modern, inquiry-driven practices is essential to creating a classroom culture that reflects the evolving nature of science itself. This shift must be grounded in real-world relevance, scientific literacy, and the skills students need to navigate a rapidly advancing, data-rich world. By equipping teachers with a clear understanding of why change is necessary and how to implement it effectively, we can empower all to embrace innovation and curiosity, and inspire the next generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and lifelong learners.
Curriculum Coherence in K-8 Science
- This support helps districts build a clear, connected approach to K-8 science by deeply integrating the expectations of the NGSS. Whether by leveraging high-quality instructional materials or empowering teachers to design three-dimensional lessons, the goal is to ensure all students engage in coherent, rigorous science learning and meaningful sensemaking. This offering can be adapted for both standards-based systems and traditional frameworks, meeting schools where they are while guiding them toward stronger instructional alignment.
OpenSciEd Implementation and Corresponding Assessments
- Successful OpenSciEd implementation begins with a strong understanding of its design, instructional routines, and emphasis on student-driven sensemaking. Educators learn how to use the open-source curriculum effectively while also integrating meaningful assessments tailored to district needs, all aligned with NGSS and supporting three-dimensional learning. This offering builds teacher capacity and ensures coherent, high-quality science instruction across K-8.
- Design and customize formative and summative assessments that align with the OpenSciEd bundled storylines, providing actionable data to support targeted intervention and extension based on student needs.
Assessments Aligned to 3D NGSS and ISA Readiness
- Discover whether current science assessments truly embody the three dimensions of NGSS and transform them (or design new tasks) that anchor learning in novel phenomena and authentic sense-making. The focus is on ensuring that assessments are centered around more than content, allowing students to engage in scientific practices and authentic thinking. These assessments not only enhance student learning but also prepare them for the Illinois Science Assessment, now a vital 5% of a district's report card score. With the right tools and design, assessments become more than a measure, they become a meaningful part of how students engage with and understand the world, while also providing valuable data to inform instructional decisions about student growth in skills, knowledge, and scientific thinking.
Boosting ACCESS Exit Rates Through Science-Driven Language Engagement
- Using engaging science concepts as a context for language development can accelerate progress for multilingual learners. In a recent partner school, this approach led to a 32% increase in ACCESS exit rates among intermediate-level students. Participants will explore and experience hands-on, phenomena-driven events designed to strengthen students' reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, and will learn how to bring this practice to life in their own systems.
Building Knowledge Through Content Literacy
- Explore high-leverage content literacy strategies that support students in building and applying scientific knowledge. Grounded in the Knowledge Building model, this session highlights practices that promote reading, writing, and rich classroom discourse (including purposeful oracy) as tools for sense-making in science. Participants will engage with practical approaches that deepen understanding, elevate student voice, and support equitable participation in science learning.
Beyond the Practices: Embedding Engineering into Science Instruction
- Engineering is more than just “using the SEPs”, it's an essential dimension of science learning. In this session, learn how to embed STEM and engineering meaningfully into your existing science instruction to bring the Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science (ETS) standards to life. We'll explore how to design instruction that integrates authentic engineering challenges with science content, while actively engaging students in the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs). Walk away with tools, strategies, and examples that make engineering a natural and powerful part of your science classroom, not an add-on.
About Nicole
I'm a passionate educator who believes all students deserve learning experiences that are meaningful. Over the past 20 years, I've worn many hats, yet in every role, I've stayed focused on what matters most: helping students think deeply, wonder freely, and feel seen in their learning.
I know how challenging and rewarding this work can be. That's why I partner with schools and educators to design practical, engaging, and inclusive solutions; whether that means reimagining curriculum, strengthening PLC practices, or leading transformative professional learning. My style is collaborative, responsive, and grounded in the realities of the classroom. Together, we can create learning experiences that are not only rigorous but also joyful.
I'm here to help you create teaching and learning where both students and teachers can thrive. Let's build something great…. Together!
Featured Speaker
- National Science Teacher Association Conference
- Northern Illinois Science Educator (NISE) Conference
- Illinois Council of Instructional Coaching Conference
- Baxter Center for Science Symposium
- National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference
- Local Blue Ribbon Conference
- Keynote at Various District Inservice Days
Awards
- Illinois Science Olympiad Distinguished Service Award Winner 2021
- Tom Meskel Commitment to Education Award Winner 2018
- Golden Apple Award Nominee 2014
- Abbott Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Award 2008
Service
- Review books for Solution Tree before publication
- NSTA: Sensemaking Tool Reviewer
- Science Scope's Manuscript Review Panel
- Review proposals for NSTA Conference participation
- ISA (Illinois Science Assessment) Item Writer for Middle Level
- ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) Science Performance Level Descriptor Writing Team
- Illinois Science Assessment Study Panelist
- Science Multi-district Curriculum Alignment Facilitator
- STEM Conference for Girls: Lake County Board Member
- Foundation46 Committee Member
Experience
Education
McKendree University
- Doctor of Education: Curriculum Design & Instruction (Anticipated Completion: Spring 2027)
University of Illinois
- Master of Arts: Educational Leadership
The University of Michigan
- Bachelor of Science: Elementary Education (Science/Math)
Professional
- Science, STEM, & Wellness Curriculum Specialist (EC-8th Grade)
- Science Instructional Coach (Middle Grades)
- 7th Grade Science Teacher
Endorsements
What stood out most is her genuine passion for science, not just as a subject, but as a way of thinking and exploring the world. That enthusiasm reignited my own excitement for teaching and learning. Through our collaboration, I not only enhanced my instructional strategies but also grew significantly as a reflective educator.
Nicole is more than a consultant; she is a mentor and thought partner who brings insight, integrity, and inspiration to every conversation. I recommend her without hesitation to any individual or organization seeking support in science education or broader educational growth.
Resources
Explore a collection of resources designed to support educators in their journey towards equity and creativity in education. From articles to workshops, there is something for everyone.
