Warren High School social studies teacher Jane Nicholson reported to a mandatory meeting in the auditorium Tuesday morning thinking she was going to see a special speaker discuss the upcoming Presidential election.
In actuality, the meeting was a ruse so that her colleagues could surprise her with the ExCEL Award, sponsored by KENS-TV and the San Antonio Federal Credit Union.
"I am in total shock," said Nicholson, just minutes after KENS anchorwoman Deborah Knapp announced the real reason for the gathering. "I absolutely love it here. I love my students. You have made my life complete."
The ExCEL Award, which recognizes outstanding teachers in the greater San Antonio area, also comes with a $1,000 check from the San Antonio Federal Credit Union (SACU).
Nicholson, the co-coach of Warren's Academic Decathlon team, is known for both her innovation and dedication to student success. Terry Zablocki, the other Academic Decathlon co-coach, said Nicholson is single-handedly responsible for the popularity of Advanced Placement macroeconomics, which has grown from zero students to four packed sections since her arrival three years ago.
"Jane is unbelievable," Zablocki said. "She lives her classes, her subjects, everything."
Nicholson also developed the Worldwide Internet Stock Market Game for her economics classes and is known for the tailgate parties she throws to squeeze in one last review session before AP exams.
"She loves kids and she loves what she teaches, and that's a great combination," Warren Principal Patty Hill said.
Because this year's Academic Decathlon topic of study is the Civil War, Nicholson spent her summer vacation traveling to Civil War battlefields so that she could better prepare her students.
"Mrs. Nicholson inspires," said student Saskia Versteeg. "She manages to make AP macroeconomics a class I look forward to. She has the highest expectations for every student and supports them."
Said fellow student Ellijah Perez: "I can walk into her class and know that if I don't understand something, she will take as much time as necessary for me to understand it - to not just learn it but really know it."
A profile of Nicholson will be broadcast on KENS-TV during the 7:30 a.m. newscast Saturday morning (Sept. 20) and will be posted on
MySA.com later this week.
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