SMS Upper School Science Teacher Named “Educator of the Year” at the 2025 Western Resilience Center’s Leadership Awards
This year’s Western Resilience Center Leadership Awards celebrated community members advancing climate action, collaboration, and environmental leadership. The ceremony took place on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Bud Werner Memorial Library Hall, featuring light snacks and refreshments and closing with a sparkling cider toast. Among the evening’s honorees, Steamboat Mountain School science teacher Nikki Durkan received the Educator of the Year Award.
The Educator of the Year Award recognizes educators who go above and beyond to connect students to real-world science and the practical work of environmental leadership. Michelle Stewart, Executive Director of the Western Resilience Center, praised Ms. Durkan for how she “actively and regularly finds ways to connect her students and course content to the community,” noting her readiness to mentor the whole student and her people-centered approach to education.
Ms. Durkan shared a few brief remarks as the award was presented.
“I was honored to receive the Western Resilience Center’s Educator of the Year Award at the 2025 Western Resilience Center Leadership Awards,” said Nikki Durkan, Upper School science teacher. “Collaboration is what drives me as an educator, and it’s the people in this room who make that possible.”
What made this recognition especially meaningful is that the nomination came from the broader community. SMS is proud to see Ms. Durkan honored in this way. Head of School, Samantha Coyne Donnel said of Ms. Durkan’s work, “Watching Nikki connect students to real-world science has been inspiring. She doesn’t just teach environmental concepts, she invites students into meaningful work alongside local partners, where learning becomes service and students see that their ideas and actions matter. She leads with curiosity and a big heart, and the ripple effect is unmistakable: year after year, we see students leave SMS ready to pursue majors and careers in environmental science related fields, often tracing that spark back to Nikki. We are fortunate to have Nikki as a part of the SMS faculty.”
Ultimately, the award reflects a larger story: SMS students’ curiosity, their willingness to show up and learn by doing, and the many Yampa Valley partners who welcome young people into the field.