PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- At an assembly Thursday morning, a Math teacher at Pierre’s TF Riggs High School was surprised by being recognized as a national Milken Educator Award recipient. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem made the announcement.
Nichole Bowman says her teaching style isn’t just about math.
Bowman is in her 15th year of teaching. She spent five years at Georgia Morse Middle School before moving to Riggs High School this year.
High School Principal Kevin Mutchelknaus feels fortunate that Bowman works at Riggs.
Milken Family Foundation Senior Program Director Greg Gallagher says teachers can’t apply and aren’t nominated for the recognition– the Foundation finds them.
Bowman, who is also the Pierre School District Teacher of the Year this year, receives an expense paid trip to California later this year to collaborate with the more than 60 other 2021-22 Milken Educator Award winners. She also receives an “unrestricted” monetary prize of $25,000.
Nichole Bowman is the second Pierre TF Riggs High School teacher to earn the honor. English and Language Arts teacher Shana Davis was recognized in 2013.