When Nikki Kirchway attended the Operation Snowball annual banquet on April 30, she believed she was simply there to support her colleagues. Instead, she was met with a standing ovation and surprised by receiving the Beyond the Call of Duty Award.
Operation Snowball is a nationally recognized youth leadership program focused on building positive peer relationships and preventing substance use through retreats, workshops, and student-led events. At D127, Snowball has become a deeply meaningful experience for countless students, largely thanks to Kirchway’s leadership. For more than ten years, she served as a Snowball sponsor and, before that, as a staff facilitator, guiding students through transformational experiences that built confidence, connection, and personal growth.
This school year marked a new chapter for Kirchway. After nearly two decades as a Spanish teacher, she stepped into the role of Student Life Coordinator, marking her 20th year in the district.
“This is my first year out of the classroom,” Kirchway said. “As I transitioned into my new role, I also stepped down from Snowball, but it was my pleasure to help guide and support Meg Lopez and Rachel Lesinski as they stepped into that space. I wanted to share my experience while encouraging them to make the program their own and do what’s best for our students.”
While her title changed, her commitment to student connection hasn’t. In many ways, her new position has expanded her reach, supporting a wider range of student activities and leadership opportunities across the district.
“To me, Beyond the Call of Duty is someone who isn’t afraid to break barriers, who finds creative ways to reach others and champion them,” she explained. “It’s about being proactive and someone who has ideas and puts them into action without waiting to be asked or told.”
Kirchway’s motivation has always been simple: she loves working with kids. Whether in the classroom, on a trip, at a club meeting, or cheering from the sidelines, her greatest joy comes from building relationships and seeing students grow.
“I’m most proud of the growth I’ve seen in our students,” she reflected. “Watching them persevere, gain confidence, and realize what they’re capable of—that’s what humbles me the most. I’m so lucky to have a role that I love this much.”