Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Week: Nikki Conger

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — Nikki Conger teaches 3rd grade at Denmark Elementary School and says she genuinely loves her job. “For them — [they] maybe not remember what I taught them, but they will always remember how I made them feel.”

You can see it as soon as you walk into her classroom. “I like watching them learn and grow, not only physically but mentally, and to know that I’m a part of that.”

Conger says it’s her connections with her students that impacts her most about being an educator. “When the kids come in my room and they smile and they tell me they’re glad to be here. That impacts me so much.”

She is constantly moving and interacting with each student to make learning fun. “You do hands-on with them and you sing and you get down on the floor and do a morning meet,” Conger said. “You make those connections — once I learn the students I can motivate and make them to be a better student.”

She says loving her students is her secret to being a great teacher. “The kids know if you love them and they will do anything for you just like I would do anything for them.”

Conger will now be eligible for the statewide Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month award. In January, to vote for her or any of the other nominees go to seehowitaddsup.com.

To nominate a teacher for the WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News weekly award, email educator@wbbjtv.com.