Staff Profiles | Utah Nickel

Utah Nickel has always had a heart for serving and for making a difference. He has served as a volunteer -- building playgrounds in disadvantaged communities, disaster relief work and environmental education. But it is his work with the children at NECC that epitomizes his giving spirit.

Utah has been a teacher at NECC since September 2000. In the spirit of "no child left behind," Utah works with a group of the most acutely affected children at the center, children with severe communication deficits and destructive behaviors. His focus is on the students and their abilities. Always going above and beyond, Utah's dedication is evident in the many extra hours he puts in, coming in on his own time to make sure that everything is always ready for his students.

His strong teaching skills enable him to bring out the full potential in all of his students. Even though they work hard, his students look forward to their time with him. While much of the progress made by his students is measured in very small increments, those accomplishments are the driving force behind Utah and what he finds most rewarding. As he has said, "To most people jobs are an obligation. I've always wanted my job to be an experience. It's not often that people find jobs they enjoy, and I really enjoy what I do."

Utah brings that same philosophy to his work, creating new learning opportunities for his students, opening doors to new experiences that will help them reach their full potential.

(Profile courtesy of EP Magazine, July 2003)