Date:  April 4, 2003
Contact: Irene Cromer
(703) 791-8720

The Curry School of Education Foundation has selected John Nicholas, an eighth grade world history teacher and team leader at Parkside Middle School, as the 2003 Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year.  He will be honored at an awards ceremony and reception on April 25, 2003, at the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia.  Nicholas is a 1990 graduate of the Curry School of Education.

A teacher at Parkside Middle School since 1996, Nicholas was on the Prince William County World History Exam Task Force and was selected to serve on the principal interview panel for Parkside and Benton middle schools.  His nominators say Nicholas does not just teach material from the textbook, but he also demonstrates how the students can appreciate cultural differences.  While studying Africa, Nicholas invited his mother to bring in her African art collection and his sister demonstrated African dance steps.  To complete the study, his students sampled ethnic foods, which they had prepared.  He implemented the Multicultural Program at the school, tutors students after school in the Standards of Learning for history and is the school coordinator of the Martin Luther King Oratorical Contest.  

Nicholas was a 2002 Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher of the Year nominee and was named in 2002 Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.   Last summer he volunteered at the Smithsonian American Art Museum where he collaborated with others to develop an educational web site entitled, “Campfire Stories with George Catlin.” The web site is designed to present perspectives on issues related to Catlin’s art and life as well as a commentary on American Indian concerns.  Because of his initiative, the chair of the Education Office asked him to serve on the Smithsonian’s National Educational Advisory Group.  

Each year the Curry School Foundation recognizes outstanding Curry alumni for excellence in teaching, service, professional stature, and concern for student welfare.   Nicholas was chosen from among a large pool of nominees to receive this distinguished award because he exemplifies the characteristics of an educator that Curry seeks to instill in all its graduates.