TOP STORY OF THE DAY Brought to you FREE by WICU: Nuckols excited at receiving Golden Apple award

Friday, October 30, 2020

WTHI-TV’s 2020 Golden Apple Awards recognized a North Clay Middle School teacher who believes education has always been a part of her destiny.

“My sisters would want to go outside and play, but I had to stay in and have school with my stuffed animals,” said North Clay Middle School 8th Grade teacher Stephanie Nuckols, who felt being a teacher was an easy decision after graduating from Northview. “I always knew I was destined to be a teacher.”

Nuckols started on the road to becoming a teacher at Indiana University and transferred to Indiana State University. She received her degree in 2000 and began the search for a job as an elementary teacher.

“God had other plans for me. I was hired as a middle school English teacher at Cloverdale,” said Nuckols, who was surprised to remain there for 13 years! before taking time away from her teaching career due to a high-risk pregnancy. “I just prayed that I would eventually be able to get back into a classroom.”

In 2016, Nuckols was surprised when hired as a 6th grade English position.

“I had everything I wanted: A job 10 minutes from home, a co-teacher that was my best friend, and the age-level that I had been accustomed to teaching,” said Nuckols, who said God intervened again. “He has his own plan for us! My principal asked me, after two years, to move to the 8th grade.”

It was a difficult summer for Nuckols, who talked to the former NCMS principal not to move her. However, Nuckols’ move to the 8th-grade position was what was best for the school. After five years, Nuckols has grown to love the job and takes responsibility for preparing 8th graders for Northview very seriously.

“Sometimes blessings come in disguise,” she said. “I would never have fathomed I would love teaching 8th grade.”

English isn’t an easy subject to teach, and students often find it boring.

“I try every day to make learning grammar, literature, and writing exciting. I try to balance technology and hands-on learning with real-world applications,” said Nuckols, who is continually trying to find new innovative ways to keep students engaged. “During a typical class, you will see my students moving around the room, analyzing a song or commercial, and using their Chromebook to type a constructed response to literature.”

Nuckols’ goal is to meet every type of learner when creating a lesson plan. “One-size does not fit all,” said Nuckols, who wants students to master the standard without even knowing they are learning.

“Each student that enters my classroom is someone’s child; I do not take that responsibility lightly,” said Nuckols, who tries to build trusting relationships with the students. “Middle school is an interesting time in children’s lives. They are trying to find themselves before they go next door to Northview High School. I tell my classes I do not know how a normal, ordinary teacher is supposed to act; I just come to school every day as myself. An honest and caring person who enjoys guiding them through 8th-grade English every day.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the education system dramatically since arriving in the United States 10 months ago.

“Last year’s shutdown caused me to shed many tears,” said Nuckols. “I couldn’t imagine never seeing my students’ faces again.”

Nuckols made it a priority to reassure students it was OK to be scared, confused, and emotional.

“Students responded with videos of themselves confessing their feelings,” Nuckols said about scheduling Zoom lunches, meetings, and games. “As the school year was ending this way, I had to have a conclusion to our year.”

Nuckols organized an 8th-grade drive-by parade to help students and their families and staff members end the year on a high note.

“The joke was I was holding the parade line up by talking too much. My reply was, ‘I have three months of conversation to catch up on.’” she explained.

The current school year is still struggling with COVID-19, but the schools are open with teachers and students back in the classroom.

Stephanie Nuckols was surprised by CCS board president Tom Reberger (left) and Superintendent Jeff Fritz with her Golden Apple award.
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“I feel like every day we are at school is a blessing,” she said. “We have to take advantage and fit everything in we possibly can.”

Joining the 17 teachers at the Clay Community School Corporation who have previously won Golden Apple awards has been very emotional for Nuckols. She admits to crying every time she talks about the award, especially when watching the news’s feature about her.

“The fact that two students nominated me in the same year is overwhelming,” said Nuckols, who considers all of the mentors along the way and the students who hold a special place in her heart. “I wish I could slice up my apple and make sure they all got a slice of the it. No one gets into teaching for financial values. We get into teaching for the intrinsic values. Teaching is not just a job. Teaching is a way of life!”

Eighteen educators from Clay Community Schools have been honored by WTHI with its "Golden Apple" award for teaching excellence.
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