Manhattan Mom, Educator Praised As ‘Guiding Light’ For Students

Manhattan, Illinois — Behind every thriving student is someone who believed in them. To celebrate these mentors, Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to spotlight the educators, coaches and role models supporting the next generation.

This submission comes from Jim, who nominated Nicole Perino. Know someone who should be recognized? Click here to nominate them to be featured on Patch.

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What is the mentor, coach or educator’s name?

Nicole Perino

What is your relationship to them?

Spouse

How have they made an impact?

Nicole has dedicated her entire adult life to education. She currently is an educator in District 86 Joliet. After nearly 20 years in the field, she is now working on her second master’s degree in hopes of getting into administration work. She earned her first master’s degree in Special Education and has been working in that area of education ever since.

She works so many hours at home, on her own time, working on students’ IEPs, planning, coordinating, etc. I don’t know a whole lot about what all goes into her work, but I have watched her work 12-14 hour days ever since she began teaching — many of those hours on her own time at home every day.

She pours her soul into her students. She genuinely worries about them, and she is just an angel in these kids’ lives that a lot of them need. So many of her students have reached out to her over the years, as they have moved on to high school and beyond, to thank her for being a guiding light in their lives.

She is an amazing, extremely talented, and special individual. Nicole also juggles all of this while raising our two children, being a homemaker, and carrying many, many other titles.

She is my hero, and I’d just love any chance to give her some recognition. She absolutely changes the lives of all the people and students around her for the better every single day.

What are three words that best describe them?

Angel. Strength. Light.

Thank you for all you do, Nicole Perino!

Do you know a teacher, coach or mentor making a difference in your community? Click here to nominate them to be featured on Patch.

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