Nikki Clarke
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Degree: Early Childhood Education
Year of graduation: 1997
Reeling in success
Nikki Clarke could never have imagined her journey after Sheridan would put her in front of the camera.
After graduating in 1997 with a diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Nikki was hired to teach Spanish at a private elementary school in Jamaica, where she was born.
“Jamaica was an amazing experience,” says the 47-year-old. “I loved every minute of it.”
In 1999, Nikki moved back to Canada after she was offered the opportunity to teach an evening course at Sheridan. It spiralled into her teaching more courses in the ECE program as well as the School of Business. “Working at Sheridan was an honour for me. I have made amazing friendships and connections from my experience there.”
After teaching at Sheridan for a decade, Nikki started her own talk show in 2012: The Nikki Clarke Show, which was broadcast on Rogers TV, Toronto.
She credits her Sheridan teaching experience with giving her the tools to set up the show. “As I developed course material for students,” explains Nikki. “I learned to facilitate and set the stage for successful classroom communication. A skill that serves me well in the world of media.”
The way her students candidly shared gave Nikki the direction her talk show now takes. “In May 2014, I launched a 24-hour online TV network called Nikki Clarke Network, for which I produce seven inspirational programs on topics ranging from world politics to women’s wellness.”
Nikki also created a youth mentorship program, Clarke Media Arts Program, which mentors kids aged 12 to 16 and teaches them about online TV production. Workshops for youth are available throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
In the next few years, Nikki looks forward to owning her own studios where she can create work spaces for team members of the Nikki Clarke Network and Clarke Media Arts.
More about Sheridan’s Early Childhood Education program.
By Mehreen Shahid, Journalism – Print, 2015
Nikki Clarke could never have imagined her journey after Sheridan would put her in front of the camera.
After graduating in 1997 with a diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Nikki was hired to teach Spanish at a private elementary school in Jamaica, where she was born.
“Jamaica was an amazing experience,” says the 47-year-old. “I loved every minute of it.”
In 1999, Nikki moved back to Canada after she was offered the opportunity to teach an evening course at Sheridan. It spiralled into her teaching more courses in the ECE program as well as the School of Business. “Working at Sheridan was an honour for me. I have made amazing friendships and connections from my experience there.”
After teaching at Sheridan for a decade, Nikki started her own talk show in 2012: The Nikki Clarke Show, which was broadcast on Rogers TV, Toronto.
She credits her Sheridan teaching experience with giving her the tools to set up the show. “As I developed course material for students,” explains Nikki. “I learned to facilitate and set the stage for successful classroom communication. A skill that serves me well in the world of media.”
The way her students candidly shared gave Nikki the direction her talk show now takes. “In May 2014, I launched a 24-hour online TV network called Nikki Clarke Network, for which I produce seven inspirational programs on topics ranging from world politics to women’s wellness.”
Nikki also created a youth mentorship program, Clarke Media Arts Program, which mentors kids aged 12 to 16 and teaches them about online TV production. Workshops for youth are available throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
In the next few years, Nikki looks forward to owning her own studios where she can create work spaces for team members of the Nikki Clarke Network and Clarke Media Arts.
More about Sheridan’s Early Childhood Education program.
By Mehreen Shahid, Journalism – Print, 2015