Biography

Mr. Nichols is entering his 23rd year in the teaching profession. He earned both of his education degrees from Middle Tennessee State University.  He has taught a variety of middle school and high school social studies courses at McFadden School of Excellence and Central Magnet School.  He was honored as building level Teacher of the Year in 2010 and 2013.  He was also named a recipient of the Tennessee Education Association Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award in 2012 and the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award for the Tennessee Council for Social Studies in 2016.  Mr. Nichols served as the high school cross country and high school track and field coach for several years at Central.  He guided four cross country teams to state championships at Central Magnet and also won multiple coaching awards during his tenure as head coach.  He has also done a variety of duties with the basketball teams at McFadden and Central.  He is now serving as an assistant principal, a position he has held since July 2022. 

 

When asked about his greatest achievement as an educator, Mr. Nichols proclaims, "Surviving the early mornings! Honestly, though, simply having the opportunity to work with the best students and being surrounded by incredibly inspiring teammates has been a wonderful gift." When asked about something that might be interesting to his students and their parents, Mr. Nichols shared, "In my younger years, I contemplated being a meteorologist, politician, or an actor. I eventually realized being a teacher gave me the opportunity to do them all."

 

In his personal time, you may find Mr. Nichols participating in a variety of outdoor activities. He enjoys walking in his neighborhood and on the Greenway. He also likes goofing off with his nephews and niece, going to the movies with his mother, and fishing with his dad. One of his biggest loves in life is the joy of an autumn day with lots of college football to watch. He enjoys reading and is a political junkie. Finally, Mr. Nichols loves spending time at the beach and traveling as much as possible.

 

Educational Background

  • MTSU -- Master of Education in Administration and Supervision, August 2010
  • MTSU -- Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education, May 2001
  • Oakland High School -- Honors Diploma, May 1997

 

Teaching Employment History

  • Central Magnet School -- assistant principal, summer 2022-present
  • Central Magnet School -- social studies teacher, graduation coach, assistant principal, fall 2010-present
  • McFadden School of Excellence -- 7th and 8th grade social studies, fall 2002-spring 2010
  • Central Middle School -- 7th grade social studies, spring 2002
  • Cedar Grove Elementary -- 7th grade social studies, fall 2001

 

Workshops, Presentations, and Professional Leadership

  • Selected into the Aspiring Administrators Academy, Spring 2019
  • Selected to present session on "Visible Learning" to CMS Faculty, 2017
  • Chosen to teach US History for RCSOnline, 2015-2016
  • Selected to present DBQs and FRQs to CMS Faculty, 2014
  • Chosen to teach Contemporary Issues for RCSOnline, 2013-2016
  • Selected to the World History and World Geography State of Tennessee Review Panel of Expert Teachers for the State Textbook Commission, 2013-2014
  • Elected to the TEA Executive Committee, 2012-2013
  • Elected as REA Secretary, 2012-2014
  • Selected to present at the RCS "It All Adds Up" conference, August 2011
  • Appointed as CMS Social Studies Department Chair, 2010-present
  • Selected to attend NCSS Conference in Atlanta, 2009
  • Appointed to 7th grade social studies Scope and Sequence Committee, 2009
  • Appointed to 7th grade social studies Scope and Sequence Committee, 2008
  • Chosen by Shelby County Schools to present TCCL in Shelby County, May 2008
  • Chosen by the TN DOE to assist Project Citizen lesson preparation, Spring 2008
  • Selected to attend NCSS Conference in San Diego, 2007
  • Chosen as 7th grade Textbook Adoption Committee Chair, 2007
  • Chosen by the TN DOE to prepare and present TCCL, Spring 2007
  • Elected to the TEA Board of Directors, 2005-2007 and 2012-2013
  • Elected as REA President, 2005-2006
  • Selected to Gateway Leadership Institute, English Gateway Phase II, July 2004
  • Elected as a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly, 2004-2008 and 2010-2018
  • Selected to Writer’s Academy, Phase I, July 2003
  • Elected as a delegate to the TEA Representative Assembly, 2003-2017
  • Selected to Gateway Leadership Institute, English Gateway Phase I, July 2003

 

Professional and Educational Memberships

  • Tennessee Council for the Social Studies, 2016-2017
  • Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2010-present
  • The History Channel Club, 2008-2016
  • National Geographic Society, 2006-2016
  • Tennessee Association of Middle Schools, 2006-2011
  • National Council for the Social Studies, 2002-2016
  • Tennessee Geographic Alliance, 2002-2016
  • Rutherford Education Association, 2002-present
  • Tennessee Education Association, 2002-present
  • National Education Association, 2002-present
 
Professional Awards and Honors
  • Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year, 2021-22
  • US Track/Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Tennessee Girls Coach of the Year, 2021
  • The Daily News Journal Boys and Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year, 2021
  • Mid State Cross Country Association Boys A/AA Coach of the Year, November 2021
  • Mid State Cross Country Association Girls A/AA Coach of the Year, November 2021
  • The Daily News Journal Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year, 2019
  • Mid State Cross Country Association Boys A/AA Coach of the Year, November 2019
  • Mid State Cross Country Association Boys A/AA Coach of the Year, November 2018
  • Mid State Cross Country Association Girls A/AA Coach of the Year, November 2018
  • The Daily News Journal Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year, 2017
  • The Tennessean Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year, December 2016
  • Mid State Cross Country Association Girls A/AA Coach of the Year, November 2016 
  • Tennessee Council for Social Studies, Outstanding Teacher of the Year, March 2016
  • REA Achievement Award, May 2014
  • Central Magnet School Teacher of the Year, 2012-2013
  • TEA Distinguished Educator Award, May 2012
  • REA Al Wilkerson Human Relations Award, May 2011
  • McFadden School of Excellence Teacher of the Year, 2009-2010
  • BEP Grant for “Exploring the Civil Rights Movement,” December 2007
  • Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, June 2007
  • National League of Junior Cotillions Best-Mannered Teacher, March 2005
  • BEP Grant for “Exploring World Cultures and Structures,” December 2004
  • McFadden Teacher of the Month for Promoting Respect, October 2004
  • BEP Grant for “Exploring Our World Cultures,” May 2004