Nichols (pictured), who grew up in Statesville and Boone, earned a bachelor’s degree in middle school language arts and science education in 1988 and a master’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in reading in 1991, both from Appalachian State University. In 1995, he completed a doctorate in educational curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on reading and educational research at Texas A&M University.

His experience includes teaching at elementary and middle schools, and serving as a faculty member at Cumberland College in Kentucky, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and UNC-C. In addition, Nichols has co-authored dozens of scholarly chapters and articles on literacy topics.

He traces his interest in literacy research to working in a reading clinic.

“It was so rewarding to work with a struggling reader and give them the gift of reading that exploring how we can improve our ability to teach reading became a lifelong pursuit,” said Nichols.

He is particularly interested in effectively teaching reading comprehension, a skill that helps students progress academically.

“We make an assumption that because a child has learned to read, they can read to learn,” said Nichols, who noted, however, that almost two-thirds of fourth-grade students cannot read with understanding at the fourth-grade level, according to a 2007 report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

“Without the ability to read and write, students are placed at a disadvantage in almost every educational and ‘real world’ setting,” said Nichols. “In order to better understand how to meet the individual needs of young learners, it is important to understand how students learn to read and develop literacy skills that will ultimately lead to a lifelong love of literacy.”

Nichols replaces Bob Houghton, an associate professor who served as interim department head while a national search was conducted. Michael Dougherty, dean of the College of Education and Allied Professions, said Nichols has become a valued member and leader of the college in a short time.

“Dr. Nichols is a natural leader who deeply understands quality teacher preparation and the nature and needs of kindergarten through 12th-grade education. He also has a strong record of scholarly activity,” said Dougherty. “The department is poised to achieve the next level of excellence under his leadership. That next level includes producing more and even better teachers and working with our school partners on a variety of collaborative initiatives.”

The mission of WCU’s elementary and middle grades education department is to promote excellence in teaching and caring from kindergarten through young adolescents. The department philosophy is based on a holistic perspective that children are more than just future employees, and their abilities and intelligence are more complex than a set of scores on standardized tests. For more information about the department, call (828) 227-7108 or check out the elementary and middle grades education department Web site.

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Last Modified: Friday, Oct. 17, 2008