Quarter-Finalist

Nikki Burmester

From struggling to read to loving teaching, I aim to be a supportive, understanding teacher for young adults. My goal is to inspire kids.

Currently 6

in the Quarter-Finals
LIMITED-TIME: 2X VOTES

Help me become America's Favorite Teacher, win $25,000, a trip to Hawaii, and appear in Reader's Digest!

Voting for Semi-Finalists ends Thursday the 17th of April at 7PM PDT

One outstanding teacher will win $25,000, a feature in Reader's Digest, a trip to Hawaii, and a school assembly with Bill Nye!

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Tell us why you became a teacher

Becoming a teacher was a natural progression for me because of my deep-rooted passion for helping others. Since a young age, I have always been drawn to opportunities where I could assist people in understanding something they didn’t before, whether it was tutoring a peer, helping a friend with their homework, or volunteering with local organizations. The ability to make a positive impact in someone's life through education became something I deeply valued. Over time, I realized that

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable teaching experiences was with a scholar-athlete who missed his internship interview. Going against my usual judgment, I gave him a second chance, and it was one of the best decisions I made. He aspired to become a social worker/psychologist and play football in college. I assisted him with college decisions and financial guidance. Years later, he invited me to a game where teachers who impacted their students' lives were honored—a moment I’ll never forget.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I had $25,000, I would use it to start a college fund for our children, ensuring they have the resources to succeed in their future education. I’d also use a portion to pay off debt, helping alleviate financial stress. As a family of four, with both my husband and I working hard, this money would allow us to focus on enjoying our time together, creating memories without constantly worrying about our finances. It would bring much-needed peace and stability to our lives.

Planetary Society Planetary Society

Help Nikki Burmester become America’s Favorite Teacher while supporting a great cause! Cast your daily vote below, or make an even bigger impact with a tax-deductible donation benefiting the Planetary Society.

Limited-time: 2X donation votes ends on Wed 4/16 at 9PM PDT


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