Pictured above: honoree Nicole Olson (left) and Assistant Head of School Jenny Quinn (right).
(April 30, 2024…Phoenix, AZ) This month our Star Teacher honoree is Nicole Olson. For 16 years Nicole has taught dance and physical expression at Metropolitan Arts Institute (MAI) in downtown Phoenix. MAI is an independent, chartered college prep arts school with 250 students located in downtown Phoenix. The school, opened in 1997, provides a balanced program of college preparatory academics and arts courses for students in grades 7-12. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. Nicole has performed in Arizona with the Phoenix Opera, Dulce Dance and Center Dance Ensemble. Currently, she is the Assistant Director/Principal Dancer of Scorpius Dance Theatre where she performs nationally and internationally with the company.
Nicole was nominated by Metropolitan Arts Institute parent Michael Gossie:
I have twins who have attended Metro Arts in Phoenix since the seventh grade (they are freshmen now) and Miss Nicole has been their favorite teacher since Day 1. Miss Nicole has a way of instilling confidence in her students is a way they is so empowering that it becomes life-changing and life-affirming. Her enthusiasm for the arts is infectious. Her ability to engage students is unparalleled. And her teaching ability is unmatched. She takes students who have never performed before and turns them into performers. She takes students who have never danced before and turns them into dancers.
While they don't aspire to be professional performers, Miss Nicole's level-headed, supportive style of teaching has helped my girls excel academically because the confidence she has instilled in them has carried over to their other classes. That will help them succeed in whatever career path they choose to follow. To top it off, Miss Nicole leads by example when it comes to living a healthy, balanced life. For these reasons and many others, Miss Nicole is a Star Teacher.
A Valley teacher is chosen each month to receive $500 through a nominating process on the firm’s website www.bcattorneys.com. Nominations are accepted from students, former students and parents who wish to honor and thank a teacher who has had a profound impact on their life. Many teachers spend their own money to augment the costs of classroom supplies, field trips and other non-covered costs that arise throughout the school year. B&C hopes to alleviate that burden for one deserving teacher each month. In addition, the school where the educator teaches receives a check for $250 to be used at their discretion.
Nominations are open to all teachers in K-12 who teach in Maricopa County. Winners will be notified and then presented a check at their school by a member of Burch & Cracchiolo. Photos and/or video will be taken to post on the firm website and social media. To nominate go to www.bcattorneys.com, click on the “Nominate a Star Teacher” button and tell us why you think your teacher deserves the B&C Star Teacher Award.
About Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A.
Now with a team of 50+ esteemed law professionals, Burch & Cracchiolo is one of the Southwest's premier law firms. The firm was founded in 1970 by Haze Burch and Dan Cracchiolo and today the firm’s lawyers are among the most highly regarded and recognized leaders in the areas of business and corporate law, construction, criminal defense, estate and wealth preservation planning, family law, finance, labor and employment, litigation, personal injury and insurance defense, real estate, and tax law. The firm has a long history of giving back to the community through non-profit sponsorships, donations, and volunteer efforts. B&C has been honored as an AZ Business Angel by the Arizona Business Magazine in 2020, 2021 and 2022.