 Rhode island Mathematics teachers Association |
Nicolle "Nikki" Greene, a longtime teacher for the City of Warwick, RI and RIMTA Board member and Past President, passed away unexpectedly in June 2025, at the age of 52. She was a beloved wife, mother, teacher, colleague and friend. RIMTA and teachers whose lives have been touched by Nikki's amazing love and support have worked together to establish the Nikki Greene Legacy of Excellence Pre-Service/Early Career Teacher Grant in her honor. Details are still being finalized but donations are now being accepted (at the RIMTA Donations page) to fund this grant. Throughout her career, Nikki demonstrated an unwavering dedication to education and the well-being of her students and was an incredible resource in supporting other educators. Nikki began her professional journey in a Special Education classroom, transitioned into a traditional classroom and later became a mathematics specialist, where she worked tirelessly to help students overcome challenges and find success in mathematics. Nikki was a life-long learner who spent years attending conferences, keeping up with the latest research and collaborating with others to develop her expertise in STEM instruction and the use of manipulatives to improve teaching and learning. She was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), which is the highest award a K-12 teacher can receive for excellence in teaching in the United States. Besides supporting teachers in her own district as a math specialist, she was a leader in the mathematics education community through her roles in RIMTA: Rhode Island Mathematics Teachers Association and as Administrator of a Facebook group for Presidential Awardees and State Finalists. The purpose of the Nikki Greene Legacy of Excellence Professional Learning Grant is to support early career elementary educators to become the best math and science teachers that they can be. Inspired by Nikki Greene's dedication, determination, and persistence in pursuing excellence, this grant is designed to help preservice and early career elementary educators have the tools, knowledge, and encouragement they need to help all students succeed as they make their way in their new profession. This grant is awarded to pre-service students of elementary education from Rhode Island or studying at institutes of higher learning in Rhode Island OR elementary teachers in Rhode Island in the first five years of teaching. Grant applications will be available in November at RIMTA.net and will be due at the end of February. |
