Photo provided
Krueger teacher Nikki Dopka pulls a semi-truck during a physical training event. Dopka’s can-do mindset influences her personal life as well as the students she teaches.
Krueger’s Dopka inspires students and staff
By Morgan Powenski
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY – Nikki Dopka is tough enough to pull a semi, and is strong enough to motivate a whole generation.
Dopka, 43, is an eighth grade math teacher at Krueger Middle School. She also once pulled a semi as a physical training challenge.
When she pulled the semi truck, she first thought it was going to be hard. It was hard, but when she did it she got a lot of confidence.
“I talk about that with my students to let them know all things are possible,” Dopka said.
One student who was taught by Dopka about how to keep moving forward is ninth grader Filiberto Corona.
“She taught me to never give up,” Filiberto said. “The way she explained it, it gave me more energy to keep going in math.”
Her positive attitude came from her experiences. She was raised in Highland, Ind., by her mom because her dad passed away when she was a baby. She also lived by her grandma and grandpa, and her cousins lived close by.
“I was able to play with my cousins and meet at the park all the time, so it was actually pretty cool growing up because our backyard was a park and we were always outside playing,” Dopka said.
She always favored animals and softball. She also had a palomino horse named September, and played competitive softball when she was a teenager.
She wanted to be a teacher when she was younger, but as she got older she thought she wanted to be a lawyer. Her career path changed a few times, from being an English major, to business to public management.
While all this was going on, her cousin, who was about 13 years younger than her, was playing softball. Dopka asked the coach if they needed any help, and the coach said they could take the help.
As she kept coaching her cousin’s team she got more into the role, and started to coach her own team. She also became the vice president of a softball league.
Coaching softball made her realize that she liked teaching.
“I just really enjoyed when the girls would improve and get excited about it,” Dopka said.
After she realized that she liked teaching, she got her master’s degree in education from Roosevelt University.
“I just went back to doing what I was really meant to do, which is teaching,” Dopka said.
She has been teaching for 17 years. She has worked at Krueger Middle School for nine years, as she teaches math in the eighth grade hallway.
She tries to get kids to understand that math is something you use in the real world. She likes it when they are successful.
“My favorite part is when you see that students struggle with something and they finally get it and understand it,” she said.
Photo provided
Dopka hangs out with her beloved dog, Staley.
Dopka came from a school that also had environmental activities and field trips, so planning field trips was ingrained in her. When she got to Krueger, she decided to have field trips.
She and others have planned trips to fun places like Sk8 World, Strikes & Spares Entertainment Center, the local movie theater, and Jak’s Warehouse.
Field trips are a good way to get to know each other, but Dopka and her students also have fun in the classroom.
“I love coming in and hanging out with the kids, and laughing and joking and seeing their progress,” Dopka said. “So, it brings enjoyment to my life.”
The staff members also like how she teaches the students.
“She is not afraid, and she sticks up for people and her students and herself,” said Alyssa Foltz, who taught alongside Ms. Dopka for eight years.
Filberto is happy as he looks back on the time he had with her.
“At first she can kind of get on your nerves, but after a while, mid-year or something, you can just tell she’s a good teacher,” he said.
As she spends her time out of school,. she likes to be with her family and her dog, Staley. She also likes to spend time with her friends, including going to the movies, different sporting events and concerts.
Dopka wants kids to understand that they are intelligent and that they matter.
“I want every child to know that they’re smart and important and for there to be happiness,” Dopka said. “And, I know it’s cliche, but I just want everyone to be happy.”