Nadine’s dedication to becoming a teacher traces back to her upbringing in a small town near Rochester, NY. From kindergarten onwards, she harbored a passion for education, solidifying her commitment through summer work with preschoolers with Autism and middle schoolers facing various disabilities. Graduating from Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, Nadine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, complemented by a Minor in Art Therapy. Building on this foundation, she earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in Gifted Education, from the University of Denver.

Nadine recently celebrated a decade of teaching at Denver Public Schools where she led an integrated preschool class. She also spent the past year and half working one-on-one with children with Autism as a Registered Behavior Tech. Drawing from her rich experiences across diverse education settings, Nadine recently began a new adventure, working for the Colorado Department of Education as an ESSER Monitoring Specialist. Stressing the importance of collaboration, Nadine regularly engages with a variety of co-workers and school districts, to support equitable opportunity and access to high quality education for all students in Colorado. In her tutoring role, Nadine cherishes the one-on-one dynamic, fostering strong connections with students that encourage them to take academic risks and celebrating their incremental successes. Nadine also enjoys her work as an educator at the Denver Zoo, where she is able to share her knowledge and love of animals with various zoo guests. Outside the educational sphere, Nadine finds joy in the company of friends and family, participating in activities like playing hockey, building Lego sets, camping, hiking, and enjoying the affection of her four pets that love to snuggle.