The one thing that drives Dr. Nicole Kranzberg passion for teaching, is knowing she is preparing at-risk students to be college and career ready, and ahead of the curve. Staying “ahead of the curve” is exactly why Kranzberg was named this year’s Sweetwater High School Teacher of the Year.
“I was always the underdog,” says Kranzberg. “The one who has what it takes, however needed just a little boost of confidence to take whatever comes and run with it. I am here today because of the mentors, coaches, and educators throughout my life who gave me a boost and opportunity I needed to be a rockstar. I strive to create the same types of learning opportunities for each and every student in my classroom, in our school and in the community.”
Kranzberg has dedicated 15 years of her life to education and she believes at the end of the year students leave her class with more than just an expertise in anatomy and physiology. Her students learn the technical writing skills required for medical documentation. They also learn proper bedside manners, how to take a patients blood pressure and critical thinking methods. As one student summarized Kranzbergs class, “it’s harder than any AP course, but wow is it interesting! Going to class is like working in a real hospital each day.”
Kranzberg has worked at Sweetwater High for the past 12 years, collectively with a team of professionals who desire to provide top notch education, internships, and experiences for the youth of today and prepare them for tomorrow’s future. According to Kranzberg, that is what gets her out of bed every day. “As public educators, we hold the key ingredient to meeting the demands of an ever-changing marketplace, preparing students for college and in demand careers.”
Kranzberg believes in creating work-based learning opportunities, interdisciplinary content to connect core content and career tech education to assure at-risk students gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. When she’s not working, Kranzberg spends time reading and listening to leadership and business books, as well as taking road trips and discovering new places.