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Middle School Math Magic: Nick Niederquell's Passion for Teaching
- 2024/11/21
- 再生時間： 12 分
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あらすじ・解説
In this week's episode of the Hornet Hive podcast we sit down with Nick Niederquell, a passionate 6th-grade math teacher at Williamston Middle School. Nick shares his unique journey into teaching, the benefits of being a part of the same school community as his children, and his philosophy on the growth mindset in education. Here's a deeper look into the topics discussed in this enriching episode. Choosing Williamston: A Personal Decision Nick Niederquell's decision to teach in Williamston is both a personal and professional choice. As a father of twin 8th graders, Nick finds an unparalleled joy in teaching in the same environment where his children are growing up. He talks about the immeasurable value of seeing his children and their friends every day, whether in the hallway giving fist bumps or on the soccer field where he assists in coaching. "It is a priceless thing to teach in the same classroom school hall hallways as my own kid," Nick said, emphasizing how this crossover enriches both his family life and his professional life. Williamston offers a small-town vibe while being conveniently close to Lansing, making it an ideal location for raising a family. The Path to Teaching Math Nick didn’t always know he wanted to be a teacher. Initially, on the engineering path at Michigan State University, he soon realized that working with people was his true calling. After struggling through upper-level math courses himself, he understood the importance of not only being good at math but also knowing how to overcome difficulties. "Spending days with people and training up the younger generations was a lightbulb moment for me," Nick said. His personal struggle with difficult mathematical concepts has equipped him with the empathy and techniques necessary to help students succeed. By transforming his classroom into a space where mistakes are just steps toward progress, Nick makes math both challenging and achievable for his students. Creating a Positive Environment What sustains Nick in his teaching role is his love for his colleagues and students. He spoke highly of the close-knit team of dedicated educators at Williamston Middle School, each bringing their unique strengths to the table. Drawing inspiration from his fellow teachers, he has found his own voice and methods for motivating and educating 6th graders effectively. The Power of a Growth Mindset One of the standout moments in the podcast was when Nick talked about the importance of a growth mindset. Inspired by Carol Dweck’s body of work, he emphasizes “Practice makes progress” over the older adage “Practice makes perfect.” This shift removes the pressure of perfection and encourages students to view each attempt as a step towards improvement. "I have loved bringing my energy by doing pushups in class and saying, 'Alright, students, here we go. We're going to do another few reps at this,'" Nick shared. This engaging approach makes learning enjoyable and shows students that persistence will eventually lead to understanding. Nick Niederquell’s teaching journey is a beautiful blend of personal fulfillment and professional dedication. By teaching in Williamston, he not only strengthens his family ties but also enriches the community with his energetic and caring approach. His story is an excellent example of how educators can make a significant impact by fostering a growth mindset and creating a positive, supportive learning environment. Tune in to this enlightening episode of the Hornet Hive to hear more of Nick’s inspiring journey and insights. Take a listen and let us know how you'll bring a growth mindset into your own home or classroom! TRANSCRIPT Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:19]: Welcome back to the Hornet Hive. I'm your host, Dr. Christopher Lewis, one of the members of the Williamston Community Schools Board of Education. Really excited to have you back again this week. And this week as always, I love being able to introduce you to people within our district that are doing amazing things, working with our students to help them be the, the students that we want them to be in the district and helping them to find success in that educational journey that they're on. And this week we've got another great guest with us today. Nick Niederquill is with us today and Nick is a math teacher at our middle school, working with our 6th graders and teaching them math and helping them to be able to find success in math. Nick, I am really excited to have you here today. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:05]: Thanks so much for being here and look forward to getting to know you a little bit more. Nick Niederquell [00:01:09]: Thank you for having me. And I'm looking forward to just the integration within our own schools. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:14]: So the first question that I always ask, and I know you've been a teacher for many years and you were a teacher for many years outside of our district and then had the opportunity and decided ...