As a Wayne Township school principal, Nicole Law considers it her job to help her Garden City Elementary students confront challenges and pursue their dreams — and that's a subject Nicole knows quite a bit about.

Throughout her life, the former IUPUI student and IU School of Education at IUPUI graduate has battled Sickle Cell Anemia, a painful genetic disease. But Nicole's determination and dedication in battling the disease — her personal "no-excuse" credo — has helped her build an atmosphere of achievement for Garden City students, many of whom must overcome the challenges of a life of poverty.

The impact of her work and that of her staff recently earned Nicole the prestigious 2008 Milken National Educator Award — nicknamed the "Oscars of Teaching" — making her one of an elite group of educators that are helping shape the academic future of America.