Media Kit & Event Resources
Messages of hope, endurance, and renewed purpose
Nika Maples speaks to education, business, and church groups across the country — sharing stories of hope, courage, and coming back to life.
Speaking Experience
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Speech Samples
Introducing Nika Maples
Audience Testimonials
What people are saying
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Nika Maples
Featured Reviews
"Powerful speaker and perfectly relevant to what we are going through right now! It was a wonderful convocation. She was WONDERFUL! Brought me to tears more than once. I wish every single educator and parent everywhere could hear her speak."
Roanoke County Public Schools
"Nika Maples is incredible. She speaks from her heart, her words touch people of all ages, and she leaves a lasting impression in your mind. We are still talking about her!"
Educational Leadership, Angelo State University
"WOW ... There is no other way to put it. Nika had the entire audience in the palm of her hand. There was some laughter. There were tears. There were only fives on the evaluations. Nika Maples is a true inspiration for all!"
Caddo Mills ISD
"Nika Maples' story makes clear the need for careful and caring mentoring for new teachers. She is an outstanding speaker and kept our audience engrossed the full time. Months later, I am still hearing how motivating her speech was."
New Teacher Mentoring and Development, Dallas ISD
"Within a matter of minutes Nika had captured the hearts of our sales force and had them clinging to every word. She has a beautiful way of showing a transparent passion that is so contagious."
Ram Products
"Nika Maples' story of overcoming her own physical challenges and her desire to help others touched the instructional staff across all grade levels. Her message moved the audience and was always a clear testimony to teaching being the profession of heroes."
Lamar Consolidated ISD, Houston, Texas
"It is impossible to listen to Nika Maples talk about her love for teaching and not have your spirit lifted, your passion for the profession kindled or rekindled, and your faith in the good things in life confirmed."
University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
"Nika speaks from the heart, from experience, with sincerity and eloquence! All 40 principals and other administrators marveled at her zeal toward life and education while she naturally reinvigorated our passion and commitment!"
La Joya ISD
"She was absolutely AMAZING!!! Her message was exactly what we needed as a faculty and staff. Loved her! Although I was not surprised at all, her book was PHENOMENAL!"
Key Elementary
"As a book author and stroke survivor, Nika Maples has an inspiring story. She shared at our American Heart Association, Go Red for Women Luncheon... She captured the audience and had them crying."
American Heart Association
"Nika was a complete HIT!! What a great motivational speech to hear prior to the beginning of the school year! Nika Maples was the best I've heard. We need more like her."
Baldwin County Public Schools
"Nika was professional and cooperative in every way. Her humor was subtle, yet effective. She is just so passionate about her outlook on life and in educating students. She spoke from the heart and definitely connected with our staff."
CAM Community School District
Signature Keynotes
Topics Nika brings to your stage
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Learning to Use Life’s Most Powerful Tool
In her most popular keynote, Nika shares some of her embarrassing moments as Texas Teacher of the Year and reminds us of the importance of laughter through the touching account of her lifelong struggle with chronic illness. “Joy is a treasure, and like any treasure, it must be hunted and excavated. There is work involved. Joyful people make it look easy, don’t they? We are so captivated by their smile and energy that we overlook the dirt underneath their fingernails. They have been digging—sometimes in the dark mine of a situation they didn’t want—in order to strike the thin, gold vein of contentment.”
The Ricochet
Waiting for a Good Return
The classroom and the marketplace are not as different as one might think. Both teachers and business people are “selling” something of value to, at times, skeptical consumers. With humor and emotion, Nika offers insight into ways that we can shift our perspective to selflessly serve others and reach our own goals at the same time. “When it comes to goal-setting, success simply aims for a target, while excellence waits for the ricochet of positivity. Step back and take a look at the terrain. It may never be this treacherous again, but these are the adventures you will tell the new guys someday.”
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Working Together to Make Work Better
Nothing invigorates productivity like a trustworthy and enjoyable environment. Through the humorous stories of some “freaky neighbors” she has had over the years, Nika illustrates the reality that everyone has a different story, and it is that variety that makes our working community beautiful. “Some friction is good! Learn to disagree well. Courteous conflict makes you better practitioners, but only if you question yourself as much as you question your colleagues.”
May the Force Be with You
Engaging the Mystery of Student Motivation
Through a workshop format that is ideal for professional development, Nika opens the door of her classroom via photographs and videos of her students at work and play. Participants engage in small groups and walk away with new ideas to add excitement and interest to their lessons. “Students come to us with all kinds of wounds, some potentially fatal to their success. Our classrooms are intensive care units, and we are the academic physicians. We must never remove educational life support. We must never give up or stop caring. Without the component of caring, a classroom is just a room. Without the component of caring, a teacher is just a bystander. For a few students, one dedicated teacher can mean the difference between a lifetime of paralysis or truly moving forward.”
Student Under Construction
Building Academics Upon a Foundation of Character
Encouraging teachers and parents to focus on honor as an entryway to academics, Nika outlines the tenants of good character. “Strong character and a sense of self uplift the human spirit. We must emphasize integrity. Integrity will take kids where they need to go. By upholding lives of virtue ourselves, by maintaining personal and professional standards, we illustrate the manner in which success is achieved. Not through the back door, but through the front.”
Custom Message
Request a unique speech to fit your event
Nika will create a talk based upon your specific theme, biblical passage, or organizational needs.
Event Planner Resources
Media Kit & Downloads
Access high-resolution headshots, bio one-sheets, and event introduction materials for your program.
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