A veteran paraeducator in Reed City and vice president of her local union, Nicki Strach has worked to implement innovative literacy programs while making sure everyone — regardless of behavioral or academic challenges — feels understood, valued and nurtured.

For the last five years, Strach’s primary focus has been on emerging students at G.T. Norman Elementary School, helping them develop crucial reading skills that will serve them for a lifetime. She has continued to meet the individual needs of her students, all while managing a workload of 40 students at a time.

“Every year my students amaze me with the progress that they make to become better readers, especially with some of the little blocks that we know all of these kids face,” Strach said. “The best part of my job is the relationships I have formed with them, and I will cherish that forever.”

For Strach, a student she taught her first year perhaps made the biggest impact on her career. The student moved to the Reed City district as an upper elementary student, but was only reading at kindergarten level.

“We worked together in a small group for 30 minutes a day, four days a week on decoding, phonics skills and sight words,” Strach recalled. “In just five months they jumped from a level 1 to a level 12. What impressed me the most was the drive and persistence they had to keep trying and wanting to learn.”

Strach’s commitment to her students is truly remarkable, according to Amber White, a fellow paraeducator at G.T. Norman Elementary who nominated Strach for the award.

“She exemplifies the ability to multi-task while providing personalized support to each child,” White said. “This honor reflects her unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and effective learning environment, proving that dedication in education can lead to transformative outcomes for students.”