Nikki Spiers

Ms. Nikki Spiers is passionate about helping students and teachers reach their full potential. Since joining Graland in 2012, she has served in a variety of teaching and leadership roles, including Lower School lead teacher, math instructional coach, mathematics department chair, and associate director of curriculum and instruction. As director of curriculum and instruction, she works closely with educators across the school to support teaching and learning, professional growth, and curriculum development. Ask her about her favorite hike in Colorado!

Joined Graland In
2012

Favorite Interaction With Students
When I received the Borgen Faculty Fellowship and began attending classes at CU Denver, I shared this news with my students. As they were writing their Hopes & Dreams goals for the new year, one student wrote that she also wanted to earn a degree in math. This was a great goal for a child who typically did not see herself as a math student. If they can see it, they can dream it.

Most Inspiring Graland Program
The Summer Grant program is a unique opportunity for teachers to collaborate across disciplines and divisions to innovate our programs and curriculum. Over the years, we have seen examples such as field trips being researched and restructured and new iterations of the advisory program. I enjoy creating opportunities for teachers to showcase this work at GPA meetings.

Why I Work at Graland
I truly believe the K–8 model and whole-child approach are what is best for children. We provide a broad array of experiences for our students. They can problem-solve, perform, compose, and build in a supportive environment that enables them to explore their interests and develop leadership skills at an early age.

Favorite Graland Moment
The Lower School assembly shenanigans are hard to beat. That team does such a wonderful job of bringing the community together through fun games and laughter.

Graland Trip I Love
I love the Grade 1 field trip to Cherry Creek to survey locals about their business proposals. It is exciting to see how our younger students can be out in the real world getting feedback from an authentic audience.

Professional Passion
Supporting teachers and teams as they work toward their professional goals and goals for their students. As I learned at the World Leadership School Purpose Summit, my purpose statement is, “I create the conditions so ideas can grow.”

Lifelong Learner
As Graland’s first Borgen Faculty Fellow, I earned a master’s degree in math education while continuing to grow as an educator and leader. I believe learning is a lifelong pursuit and am always looking for opportunities to expand my perspective and practice.

Fun Fact
I used to build animated holiday window displays in New York City.

Life Goal
To visit as many national parks as possible.

Outside Graland, I'm…
Running, hiking with my dog, traveling, and reading.

Other Than Graland, I Support
Girls on the Run; National Center for Transgender Equality

Hometown
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania

Favorite Childhood Memory
Running my first race with my father.

Master’s in Math Education from the University of Colorado Denver

Master’s in Museum Education and Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Independent Theater Studies from Boston University