Former Texas Teacher of the Year; Stroke Survivor; Author of "Hunting Hope;" Coach & Publisher for Christian Authors
Nika Maples Biography
Nika Maples, a native Texan, never thought she would become a teacher. By her sophomore year in college everything changed …
In 1994, a lupus-induced stroke left Maples quadriplegic. She could not speak, swallow, or blink. In intensive care, she listened as physicians warned her family that she had as little as 48 hours to live. If she lived at all, they said, she could be expected to remain unresponsive. She had lost all functionality and had no hope of recovery, so doctors suggested an assisted living facility as the only option for Maples's future. Against all odds, she walked back onto her college campus on her own two feet. The lessons she learned from quadriplegia will always be a part of her heart.
A stark reality became clearer to her by the day: Life is brief and brilliant. Whatever we choose to do with our handful of moments on earth, it is critical that we make those moments significant by serving others. She could think of no better way to serve than to educate and encourage young people. After she had taught in a public high school for only four years, the Texas Education Agency honored Maples by naming her 2007 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. She became a motivational speaker, drawing on her experiences to inspire others at various events, including the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Luncheon.
Currently, Maples shares her message of hope and endurance with education, business, and church groups. Audiences respond to her humorous and heartfelt stories with warmth and enthusiasm. Almost everyone walks away with a renewed sense of purpose. She emphasizes the power of resilience and faithfulness through personal crises in her speeches, encouraging her audiences to become "hope hunters" in their everyday challenges.
Maples holds a BS in mass communications from Texas Wesleyan University and an MA in English education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her teaching philosophy is simple. Teachers, as academic physicians, must not remove “educational life support” from any student, no matter how seemingly hopeless the situation. She has authored the book "Hunting Hope: Dig Through the Darkness to Find the Light" and delivered a TEDx talk titled "What Paralysis Taught Me About True Strength," further cementing her role as a key figure in motivational speaking. She helps Christian coaches, speakers, and influencers learn how to write books.
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Nika Maples Speaking Topics
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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.”
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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.”
Nika Maples Videos
Write Your Book as an Offering with Nina Landis
Nina Landis is a worship leader, pastor, and mother of four who always knew she was meant to write a book but spent most of her life resisting...
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How do I book Nika Maples to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Nika Maples for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Nika Maples, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Nika Maples or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Nika Maples
Speaking fees for Nika Maples, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Nika Maples are available upon request for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Nika Maples, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Nika Maples speak about?
Nika Maples is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Autoimmune Disease, Christian, Christian, Education, Educational Motivational, Health & Wellness, Medicine -
Where does Nika Maples travel from?
Nika Maples generally travels from Dallas, TX, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
Who is Nika Maples’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Nika Maples for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Nika Maples for your next private or corporate function. -
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Nika Maples is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as STUDENT UNDER CONSTRUCTION: BUILDING ACADEMICS UPON A FOUNDATION OF CHARACTER, MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU: ENGAGING THE MYSTERY OF STUDENT MOTIVATION, A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE WORK BETTER, THE RICOCHET: WAITING FOR A GOOD RETURN and LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE: LEARNING TO USE LIFE’S MOST POWERFUL TOOL. The estimated speaking fee range to book Nika Maples for your event is available upon request. Nika Maples generally travels from Dallas, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jon Bergmann, Holly Lane, Phillip Campbell, Katie Kinder and Hetlena Johnson. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Nika Maples for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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