If you thought students in Prep-Year 2 could not create and share learning using digital technologies such as iPads, Bee-Bots, Blue-Bots, Dash & Sphero robots and engineering materials, you were wrong. That is exactly what students in Nikki Muller’s class at Coomera Rivers State School are doing every day, and their learning is better for it.
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Nikki entered the profession with a strong belief in young children as capable learners whose knowledge and skills can be greatly underestimated by parents and teachers. Her faith in her students is most apparent in her practice – Nikki’s lessons are full of options in learning, considered learning goals, explicit expectations, and her classroom environment is positive, effective and conducive to learning. 

Nikki’s students have numerous opportunities to engage with digital technologies to enhance their learning, and are regularly involved in incursions and competitions, pop-up expos and days of excellence. Their learning is reflective of their dedicated teacher’s use of contemporary design thinking and innovative approach to her teaching practice. 

When Nikki began working at Coomera Rivers as the DigiDesign Technologies teacher, she supported the school to implement the school’s 1:1 program. Through persistent trial and error of a range of digital tools, Nikki was able to develop resources and strategies for colleagues to ensure their classrooms were effectively integrating digital technologies. She also runs the Dream & Design Innovators Club for students in years 3 and 4 to engage in a range of Lego and Robotics challenges.

Outside her classroom, Nikki leads and inspires other educators to improve their digital technologies capability in the classroom. She has been asked to present to STEM workshops across Queensland, and is a panel advisor to new teaching graduates in the areas of STEM education. Nikki has also contributed to a range of Science workshops hosted by Griffith University, and coordinates Coomera Rivers State School’s Digital Pedagogy Open Days.

Nikki’s commitment to the digital technologies is admirable, and Coomera Rivers is fortunate to have such a dedicated educator on staff.
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Congratulations Nikki on your nomination.