Soul of 78: Sherry Nicholson

Math Teacher

Words by Anna Lee Vaughn | Image by Ryan McGill

Sherry Nicholson was destined to become an educator. For her, there was never another option, and after many years of success, she continues to be instrumental in helping the students at Carbon Hill High School succeed.

Even as a child, Sherry was intrigued by the thought of educating others. “I was the child that liked to play teacher. I have always been drawn to it,” she says.

Sherry grew up in Townley, Alabama, attending Townley Junior High School until the ninth grade, then graduating from Walker High School. She began her college career at Walker College, completing her basics before transferring to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to complete her Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in math.

“I went to college with the intention of being a math teacher,” says Sherry. “I didn't just happen into education. I chose it because I really thought it was a field where I could make a difference.”

After finishing her education, Sherry began teaching math at Walker High School. For 25 years, she continued to juggle work and spending time with her husband, Jeff, and her children, Anna, Sara, and Sawyer. Each year, she developed new methods of teaching for each group of kids that came into her classroom.

And when it was time for her to retire, Sherry knew that her work was not finished.

“My 25 years were up, and I was eligible to retire, but I felt that I still had something left to offer,” she says. “And even though I loved my time at Walker High School, I was ready for something new.”

Sherry decided to apply for a position at Carbon Hill High School, teaching ninth through twelfth grade math. For the past six years, this is where she has been making a difference.

Her focus is on forming a curriculum that caters to each specific group of students and spending one-on-one time with students to make sure no one is left behind.

“I enjoy seeing a child ‘get it,’” says Sherry. “So many people decide at an early age that they're no good at math. But if I can show them that they can do it, even when they thought they couldn’t, maybe they'll think that way about other things in their life.”

Throughout the years, Sherry’s career has rewarded her in many ways. Through helping children succeed and find their purpose, she has found great motivation to keep making a difference in her students’ lives. 78