Mercer County Teacher of the Year Biography:
Nicole Hamlet earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of
Maryland Eastern Shore. After a few years, she went back to school and earned
a post baccalaureate degree in Biotechnology, followed by a master's degree
in Developmental Biology from Jefferson University. Recently, Nicole earned
her master's degree in administration and leadership from Georgian Court
University.
Nicole has worked in the Trenton Public School District, as an educator, for nineteen
years and loves working there. She is an extraordinary educator with a firm
belief that every student has the capacity to learn. She also believes that
students deserve the opportunity to learn in an inclusive, safe, and active
learning environment that is culturally responsive as well as meets their
needs.
Prior to teaching, Nicole worked in a research laboratory setting that studied
the eye and development of diseases that affect the eyes. She has used her
background and interest in research to develop opportunities for her
students. For the past fourteen years, Nicole has worked with rising
sophomores in the Princeton University Preparatory Program where she has
created a six-week hands-on, inquiry-based science curriculum. This has
allowed students to work collaboratively, using the scientific method, to
explore real-life scientific questions and work through experimental
laboratory science. She has taken students to visit research facilities such as
the Princeton Physics Plasma Laboratory, Rutgers University Protein Data Bank,
and PTC Therapeutics Laboratory. Nicole's ultimate goal is to start a high
school biotechnology program for students to gain more exposure to
opportunities in the ever-changing field of science.