"What Nikki did in my classroom is literally the most amazing thing I have ever seen. It has totally changed my perspective on my own teaching." - Megan Smith, 1st Grade, Oregon Trail
Artist Biography
Nikki, with Acts of Wonder, is a licensed teacher for K-12 who has worked through the creative lens with thousands of students from all walks of life for over 20 years. Specializing in Creative Dramatics Arts Integration with a particular focus on social emotional and group dynamics and connection, she nurtures an environment where students find joy through creating and playing together, while honoring their instincts. Nikki believes that any day she is helping young people use their imaginations and create a story is a good day.
As an Elementary Drama Teacher some of her most memorable moments were working in tandem with the Art teacher to create various group projects and installations including a walk-through sensory rainforest experience. Other projects included a full body puppet parade, shadow puppets, and adapted stories for Enchanted India.
Nikki has been a member of Right Brian since 2010 and was part of Right Brain’s Colloquium series of featured artists. She has worked with a variety of after-school, in-school, and grant-funded programs serving students in all sorts of demographics and socio-economic backgrounds.
As an Elementary Drama Teacher some of her most memorable moments were working in tandem with the Art teacher to create various group projects and installations including a walk-through sensory rainforest experience. Other projects included a full body puppet parade, shadow puppets, and adapted stories for Enchanted India.
Nikki has been a member of Right Brian since 2010 and was part of Right Brain’s Colloquium series of featured artists. She has worked with a variety of after-school, in-school, and grant-funded programs serving students in all sorts of demographics and socio-economic backgrounds.
Teaching Philosophy
Nikki believes in the ability of the arts to nurture students' creative and intellectual minds, aiding in the growth of well-rounded, balanced children. This foundation of artistic knowledge flows through all academic subjects, enhancing a whole education. Through drama, one can learn how to express emotions and ideas, both abstract and concrete, through sound, movement, and words. Fostering this ability to imagine is essential, and paves the way for children to proceed through their educational careers with a lifelong appreciation.
Her work is intended to spark the student's creative mind and provide them with an opportunity to interact with peers in a positive, compelling way, providing teachers with accessible techniques for incorporating voice, sound, and movement into everyday lesson planning.
Through this artform, Nikki invites others to witness humans finding themselves, being comfortable in their own skin embodying story, watching imagination at work, light bulbs and creative problem solving happening in live, real-time magical ways, that are inspired in the moment, and therefore better than could ever be assumed. Nikki provides a safe environment that nourishes creative growth and play.
She looks forward to creating a residency tailored to your needs.
Her work is intended to spark the student's creative mind and provide them with an opportunity to interact with peers in a positive, compelling way, providing teachers with accessible techniques for incorporating voice, sound, and movement into everyday lesson planning.
Through this artform, Nikki invites others to witness humans finding themselves, being comfortable in their own skin embodying story, watching imagination at work, light bulbs and creative problem solving happening in live, real-time magical ways, that are inspired in the moment, and therefore better than could ever be assumed. Nikki provides a safe environment that nourishes creative growth and play.
She looks forward to creating a residency tailored to your needs.
