Nicole Bootier was a member of 3 organizations on campus in her undergraduate studies, Kappa Delta Pi, Residence Hall Association and the Student Education Association.
Why Nicole chose Rider
As an educator who values close connections with other professionals in the field, Nicole was looking for a smaller school that would provide a strong sense of community. “I wanted to be in a classroom where I would be able to interact with professors and they would know me by name.” As an alumna, Nicole knew Rider offered a strong education program and was excited at the opportunity to return to Rider for her doctoral degree as part of Rider’s first Ed.D. cohort. “I loved all of my experiences at Rider which is why when it came to continuing my education I returned to Rider.”
Learn more about Rider's Doctor of Educational Leadership Program.
I wanted to be in a classroom where I would be able to interact with professors and they would know me by name."
Principal at Sharon Elementary School Principal in Robbinsville, NJ
Rider's impact on Nicole's career
Prior to graduation, Nicole was hired as a teacher in Robbinsville and she worked her way to principal. “Rider was instrumental in my career, and it was one of my undergraduate education professors who first encouraged me to student teach in Robbinsville.” While she was an undergraduate at Rider, she worked at the Reading and Writing Center and learned about children and their literacy development. She also interned at Princeton Young Achievers (PYA), an afterschool nonprofit organization in Princeton.
Continued success
While at Rider, Nicole learned about “the best practices in education.” Nicole is currently the principal of a large elementary school, and she is navigating student learning amidst the pandemic with some students in a hybrid model and some in a virtual classroom. She is currently writing her dissertation for her Ed.D. at Rider University about teacher wellness.
“My dissertation research focuses on teacher wellness and what school leaders can do to create and sustain a culture of teacher wellness.” Nicole’s dissertation is an action research dissertation with a focus on school improvement at her local level, the Sharon School. “My goal is to be able to find and support ways for teachers to reach a higher level of wellness.” Nicole is researching this because research shows that when school staff is satisfied and well, it directly benefits the children of the school.