SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. — Early Childhood Education teacher Nikki-Marie Dinofrio is Lehigh Career & Technical Institute’s newest Educator of the Year.

The award celebrates LCTI educators who’ve demonstrated teaching excellence, deployed innovative educational practices, expanded student learning, contributed to the school community, engaged in professional development, and established connections that enhance work-based education opportunities for students.

It was created at the urging of longtime technical education advocate and LCTI student benefactor James G. Hansel. Along with bragging rights and a lovely trophy, Ms. Dinofrio received a cash prize furnished by Dr. Hansel with her award.

Ms Dinofrio is only the second person to be named Educator of the Year. Her colleague, Health & Medical Sciences teacher Heather Mariotti, was the inaugural award winner in 2024. The award term spans two years; Ms. Dinofrio will hold the title from 2026 to 2028.

Executive Director Lisa Greenawalt, joined by Academic Center Principal Michael Strohl and other members of the school’s administrative team, surprised Ms. Dinofrio by presenting her with the award in front of her students on Monday afternoon.

“We’re extremely proud of you and so happy for you and your students,” Dr. Greenawalt said.

Ms. Dinofrio is an excellent teacher who sets a great example for Early Childhood Education students, many of whom want to follow in her footsteps and become educators, Greenawalt said. 

The work she does to maximize student achievement extends beyond helping them master concepts and skills. Ms. Dinofrio advocates for students and teaches them how to advocate for themselves, as well.

At the behest of students, she invited state Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Lehigh/Bucks, to LCTI in March. They were inspired to contact Coleman after watching “Make a Circle,” a documentary that serves as both a love letter to early educators and a rallying cry for a child care system in crisis. Students participated in a question-and-answer session with the senator after he toured the school and it’s on-campus child care center.

In June, Ms. Dinofrio joined two Class of 2026 members Brooklyn Hause and Carter Stine in Harrisburg for Early Childhood Workforce Day. The trio and others urged lawmakers to support a $10 million increase for the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention program, a $2 million increase for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program and a $7.5 million increase for Pre-K Counts.