Nikki Rivera
Nikki Rivera is a force of nature; a woman whose definition of relaxation includes spending her free time to lead high school students on service-learning trips abroad to the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, coaching her children’s various soccer teams, and serving as the president of the Manheim Township school board. Nikki’s profession, a high school Spanish teacher at Warwick High School, is demanding, yet she devotes much of her leisure time in the service of others.
Nikki is currently a candidate for Pennsylvania House District 96. Her experience as an educator, club advisor, school board member, and mother have greatly prepared her for this next step. According to Nikki, “My interest in running for HD96 has grown throughout my years of being a school board director. Being part of state-level decisions that impact education, housing, healthcare costs, wages, and more, inspired me to seek endorsement to replace Mike Sturla on the ballot on November 5.”
Nikki is a 1990 Carlisle High School graduate and a 1994 University of Pittsburgh graduate, where she majored in Spanish and completed a certificate program in Latin American Studies. She earned her teaching certificate from Shippensburg University. In 1995, Nikki moved to Lancaster after she and her husband Ramón, a fellow educator, were married. They are parents to 5 children ranging in ages from 17 to 28.
Nikki is beginning her 30th year teaching Spanish at Warwick High School, where she also serves as a GSA club advisor for the LGBTQ school community, the Spanish Honor Society advisor for students who excel in their linguistic studies, and as a SAP team member, a program that assists students by connecting them with mental and physical health resources to ensure better school success.
While most of Nikki’s free time is dedicated to her students and her commitment to public education, Nikki and Ramón love attending live music events (80’s New Wave bands being a shared favorite), traveling (especially to visit extended family in Puerto Rico), spending time with their large family, and their two dogs. She is an avid soccer fan and in addition to coaching, Nikki played in the Manheim Township Women’s Soccer League for ten years. Describing Nikki as “busy” is a serious understatement!
Those who know Nikki marvel at her ability to bring people together. In her roles as president of the Manheim Township school board as well as the vice president of the Lancaster-Lebanon IU 13 board, Nikki is able to respectfully engage in productive dialogue, especially with those who have differing viewpoints. It is not uncommon for Nikki to invite those whose viewpoints differ from her own to her home in order to continue their discussions. Her genuine care for the well-being of others transcends the acrimony and hostility often present in today’s school board discussions.
Nikki’s life experience as a mother, a teacher, and a school board director have set the stage for her to take her advocacy and representation to the next level: PA State House for the 96th District!
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