Farragut bids a
Fond Farewell to long-time science teacher
Coach Nick
C0ntributions from Lauren Pruett, Jessica Van Curen, and Sari Deitche
I
t’s a famous story by now. It was 1978.
A 25-year-old Mike Nicholson, was fresh out of Hampden Sydney University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was living in a house with several other graduates, and he was looking for a job teaching science. He looked through a booklet of local schools that were hiring and found the name Admiral Farragut Academy. “I thought, ‘a military school? I don’t think I can work there!’” Mike, known fondly today as Coach Nick, recalled. He applied anyway, and was granted an interview with Headmaster Richard “Dick” Wheeler. This being his first interview out of college, he had to buy a brand new suit. “I could’ve sworn I’d removed all the tags,” he explained, still brimming with energy 39 years later. “But when I got home, my roommate noticed a huge ‘SEARS’ tag hanging from my arm!” It was perhaps because of this youthful oversight, in addition
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1978 to Mike’s intelligence, honesty, and enthusiasm during the interview, that Mike was quickly hired as the Junior School science teacher. And though the divisions have shifted and changed over the years, Mike’s position as science teacher has remained constant. Most recently, he taught the Lower School 4th-7th grade classes. “I grew up here,” Mike said. “I’ve watched so many kids grow up here. I’ve taught them and watched them graduate, and then years later I’ve taught their kids.”
2016 “Coach Nick is an amazing teacher who is dedicated to his students and Farragut. He made science come to life.” - Will Main ‘05 Mike has not only taught and inspired kids with science, but he’s done so on the track, soccer field, and basketball courts as well. He’s coached cross country and Middle School track and field for most of his years at Farragut, and he coached Soccer from 1979 through the early 90’s and was assistant coach for