Aldine Ninth Grade congratulates Master Sergeant Nikita Perkins, JROTC teacher, as Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year.
In completing this section, summarize factors that influenced you to become a teacher. Describe what you consider to be your greatest contributions to or accomplishments in education.
Early on in my military career I learned about the opportunity to become a JROTC instructor and decided that’s what I wanted to do in the future. The idea of being an instructor was one of the driving forces behind me staying in the military until I was eligible for retirement. I wanted to share my experiences with students but mainly a wanted to inspire young women. I wanted to make dispel any fears or myths about serving in the military. I wanted to share the possibilities and the opportunities that the military could offer students. I believe my greatest accomplishment is being a positive role model to not only the students in my class but to the all students on my campus. 
Describe your personal feelings and beliefs about teaching including your perception of what makes an outstanding teacher. Describe the rewards you find in teaching.
My personal feelings and beliefs about teaching are that it takes very special people to take on the task of educating the future leaders of tomorrow. At times it seems that teachers are continuously in battle with administration, students and parents but they continue to give all they have on the hope that they will make a difference. An outstanding teacher is selfless, a team player and an advocate for students. The rewards I find in teaching is the hope I gain from watching my students develop over their high school career. I am aware that I may not see the fruits of my labors from teaching but I’m encouraged that something I’ve said or done will make a difference. The hope that one day they will unlock the possibilities that I saw in them from the beginning.
Describe your Community Development such as volunteer work, civic and other school related activities.
I am an active Elder and usher in my church Pinecrest Presbyterian Church and I also serve as liturgist for Sunday worship services where I am responsible for the order of service. I have volunteered countless hours with local food banks in Harris and Montgomery counties. I am a trained volunteer deputy voter registrar. I have supervised student Color Guard teams as they present the flags at various events such as naturalization ceremonies, ribbon cuttings , graduations and football games. I supervise students during I’ve taken students to lay wreaths on the graves of fallen veterans for Wreaths Across America. I have been a member of the campus Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) team for the past 3 years and served as the time keeper. As an active member of Sigma Theta Alpha military sorority have helped organize annual conference and school supply backpack donation drive.
We would also like to congratulate Mr. Jeremy Warren, Business Information Management teacher, as Rookie Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year.
If you could sum up your philosophy of teaching in one paragraph, what would you say?
I believe that all students have something to offer, learn, and experience. Growing up in Aldine and completing my elementary, middle school and high school here in this district has helped me to better understand the students. Most students want to be seen and heard so I create an environment in my classroom tha
t is not just educationally focused but that is collaborative, open, and impactful. I take an interest in my students that goes beyond basic classroom management. I spend time with each of my students as they enter my room and even the tough students have a place and belong in my class. I was lucky to have some amazing Aldine teachers that laid the ground work, they heard me, and saw me where I was in my struggles and helped mold me into who I am today. It is key to remember that I am here to make a difference, inspire, and educate all students at Aldine Ninth Grade School.
What would you consider major issues in public education today?
I would consider that we have many major issues in public education today. Some of our issues stem from lack of government funding in my opinion. Teacher shortages are a part of this as well. I also believe that our students are suffering in the areas of Reading and Writing which then leads to shortfalls in all other areas. I am also someone that believes that teaching for the test is not elevating our students as well as we should.
