Nicole (Niki) Tilicki is currently teaching 5th grade at Wilson K-8, a public school in the Amphitheater School District. Tilicki holds a Bachelor of Art in Education from the University of Arizona as well as a Master of Arts in Education in counseling from the University of Phoenix. Additionally, she attended Disney University (University of Florida), studying classroom management and communication Disney style. She has endorsements in Gifted K-12, middle school math, and middle school science. Exceeding student needs is essential to Tilicki. Among her accomplishments, Tilicki has received: Alpha-Beta Company – Teacher of the Year, Master Teacher Award – Intel Technologies, and the KGUN 9- Classroom Teacher Award and Raytheon Teacher Leader Award. Tilicki has presented at the Project Exploration Educators, Math Educators Appreciation Day – University of Arizona, Arizona Technology Conference, and the National Science Teachers Convention. Further publications have been featured in SWMEA (Southwest Marine and Aquatic Educators Association), Scholastic News Board, The New York Times, and has been a content editor for Whole Person Press where she worked on over 25 teen counseling program books. Tilicki serves on a variety of committees. She has collaborated in the development of curriculum including both the University of Arizona’s Project Wet and Biosphere 2. Additionally, she is active in the community, volunteering her time with TVT, Amphi Schools, and Ben’s Bells. She is a new author, and just published her first children’s book, My Great Grandfather’s Magical Rowboat.